The Honourable Patty Hajdu was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North in 2015. Since her election, she has served as Minister of Status of Women, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Minister of Health, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and is currently the Minister for Jobs and Families, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Highlights of her ministerial work include launching the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; establishing a National Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence; creating legislation to protect federal workers from harassment and violence in the workplace; modernizing the Federal Labour Code; establishing pay equity legislation for federal workers; leading Canada’s efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic; and supporting Indigenous Peoples of Canada as they work to heal their communities from the impacts of colonialism. She has also led efforts to ensure an independent and well-funded FedNor and championed the success of many regional projects through federal funding approvals, including housing, arts and culture, and major infrastructure.
Before entering politics, Patty served as the Executive Director of Shelter House Thunder Bay, launching the SOS Street Outreach Service. Her previous roles focused on public health, drug policy, youth development, and homelessness.
Her core values centre around compassion, equity, and the conviction that Canada is stronger when everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Known for her honest and direct advocacy on behalf of her constituents and stakeholders, Patty focuses on improving opportunities, strengthening relationships, and healing systemic issues at a grassroots level. She believes that each and every one of us has the power to make our communities stronger, fairer, and kinder.