The Honourable
Helena Jaczek
PC MP
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Receiver General for Canada
In office
August 31, 2022 – July 26, 2023
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byFilomena Tassi
Succeeded byJean-Yves Duclos
Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
In office
October 26, 2021 – August 31, 2022
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byMélanie Joly (Economic Development)
Succeeded byFilomena Tassi
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Markham—Stouffville
Assumed office
October 21, 2019
Preceded byJane Philpott
Chair of the Cabinet of Ontario
In office
January 17, 2018 – June 29, 2018
PremierKathleen Wynne
Preceded byDeb Matthews
Succeeded byVic Fedeli
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
In office
February 26, 2018 – June 29, 2018
PremierKathleen Wynne
Preceded byEric Hoskins
Succeeded byChristine Elliott
Minister of Community and Social Services
In office
June 24, 2014 – February 26, 2018
PremierKathleen Wynne
Preceded byTed McMeekin
Succeeded byMichael Coteau
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Oak Ridges—Markham
In office
October 10, 2007 – June 7, 2018
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born
Krystina Helena Jaczek

London, England
Political partyLiberal Party of Canada
Other political
affiliations		Ontario Liberal Party
Children2
Residence(s)Markham, Ontario
EducationSt. Clement's School
Alma materUniversity of Toronto (MD, MHS)
Schulich School of Business, York University (MBA)
OccupationPhysician, politician
Websitehelenajaczek.liberal.ca/

Krystina Helena Jaczek PC MP (/ˈdʒæzɛk/ JAZ-ek[1]) is a Canadian physician and politician. A member of the Liberal Party, she currently represents the riding of Markham—Stouffville in the House of Commons and formerly served as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Receiver General for Canada.

In October 2021, Jaczek was appointed Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) in the Cabinet of Canada. Before entering federal politics in 2019, Jaczek served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2007 to 2018 representing Oak Ridges—Markham. She served as Minister of Community and Social Services from 2014 until 2018 and as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in 2018, under the leadership of Kathleen Wynne.

Background

Jaczek was born in England to a Polish father[2][3] and an English mother, and emigrated to Canada in 1963 at age 12. She received her medical degree and Masters of Health Science from the University of Toronto and later a Masters of Business Administration from York University. After many years in general practice on staff at Women's College Hospital in Toronto, she then served as chief medical officer of health in York Region for 18 years. Through the years, she has sat on the boards of many community agencies.

Politics

Ontario provincial politics

In 2003, Jaczek ran as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Oak Ridges. Issues included tax rates and health care.[4] She lost to incumbent Frank Klees by 2,521 votes.[5] In 2007, Jaczek won the newly formed riding of Oak Ridges—Markham by 7,013 votes beating Conservative candidate Phil Bannon and New Democrat Janice Hagan. She was re-elected in the 2011, and 2014 elections. At the time, Oak Ridges-Markham was the most populous riding in the province until redistribution in 2018.

Parliamentary Assistant

Jaczek was appointed as a Parliamentary assistant (PA) to the Minister of Health Promotion on October 30, 2007. On September 11, 2009, she was made PA to the Minister of Environment. In February 2013, Jaczek was appointed as PA to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.[6] From 2011 to 2014, she served as chair of the Liberal Caucus, under the premierships of both Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne. Jaczek was a member of several Standing Committees: Public Accounts, Social Policy, Government Agencies, Finance and Economic Affairs.

Jaczek was also a member of the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions. This special Committee held public hearings around the province, visiting mental health and addictions facilities and several First Nations communities to better understand the Mental Health and Addictions program challenges facing Ontario.

Private Member's Bills

Jaczek brought forward several Private Member's Bills. In 2009, she proposed a private member's bill, Bill 117, that would have prohibited riders under the age of 15 from riding motorcycles. In September 2010, she co-sponsored a private member's bill with PC and NDP MPPs to amend the Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure) 2000, to better protect prospective franchisees. In March 2012, Jaczek introduced a private member's bill, Bill 40, to proclaim March 26 Epilepsy Awareness Day. She also introduced a private member's resolution to encourage organ donations. In February 2013, she introduced Bill 16, "An Act to amend the Municipal Act, 2001 to provide that the head of council of The Regional Municipality of York must be elected." On June 6, 2013, the bill received the support of all three parties, but it died on the order paper because of the 2014 Ontario General Election. However, in November 2016, the government introduced legislation that included a provision to ensure the direct election of chair and CEO of the Regional Municipality of York. This was subsequently overturned by the incoming PC government of Premier Doug Ford.

Cabinet appointment

On June 24, 2014, she was appointed by Premier Kathleen Wynne as the Minister of Community and Social Services and was the Vice Chair of Health, Education and Social Policy Cabinet Committee.[7]

As a Cabinet Minister, Jaczek led the government's plan to reform social assistance, which includes overseeing Ontario's Basic Income Pilot as well as the establishment of the Income Security Reform Working Group who was tasked with developing ideas for a more holistic, client-centred approach to a broader income security. Jaczek has also overseen considerable reform in the developmental services sector, which includes the closing of all sheltered workshops in Ontario and has led the implementation of Ontario's Strategy to End Human Trafficking.

Jaczek was appointed Chair of Cabinet in addition to her role as Minister of Community and Social Services on January 17, 2018.

On February 26, 2018, she was appointed Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. During her time as Minister, the provincial government made an investment of $2.1 billion in mental health and addiction services.[8] This was the largest provincial investment in mental health and addictions in Canadian history. The purpose of the funding was  improving the quality of and access to community-based services, including the creation of 15 additional youth wellness hubs and more supportive housing.[9]

In the 2018 general election, Jaczek ran for re-election in the new district of Markham—Stouffville which encompassed the eastern portion of her old riding, but was defeated by Progressive Conservative Paul Calandra.

Federal politics

In June 2019, there was speculation that Jaczek might enter federal politics and run as a Liberal Party of Canada candidate in Markham—Stouffville in the 2019 Canadian federal election, against the incumbent Independent MP Jane Philpott. In July 2019, Jaczek announced that she would be seeking the Liberal Party nomination in the riding.[10]

During the 43rd Canadian Parliament, Jaczek introduced one private members bill, Bill C-303 An Act to establish a national strategy for health data collection, which sought to require the Minister of Health to develop a national strategy for the collection of health data, including the creation a national public health database for the purposes of research and policy development.[11] though the Parliament ended before it was brought to a vote. In Budget 2022,[12] the federal government committed to working with provinces and territories to ensure that Canada's healthcare system is underpinned by health data that will support health care system improvements and Canadians' access to their own personal data.

Jaczek served on the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU) and the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaczek was invited to take part in the Standing Committee on Health.[13]

On September 20, 2021, Jaczek was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Markham—Stouffville.[14]

Contributions to Health Committee during COVID-19

As part of the Standing Committee on Health, Jaczek used her expertise in medicine and public health to contribute to Canada's response to COVID-19, within the country and globally. She advocated for funding transparency, greater safety on airlines and better public health standards in the agricultural sector.[15]

Cabinet appointment

On October 16, 2021, Jaczek was appointed as the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.[16] Jaczek also serves as the vice-chair of the Treasury Board, Vice-chair of the Cabinet Committee on Reconciliation and a member of the Cabinet Committee on Operations, and the Cabinet Committee for Economy, Inclusion and Climate "A".

On August 31, 2022, Jaczek swapped portfolios with Filomena Tassi, becoming Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Receiver General for Canada while Tassi became Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario; the cabinet shuffle had been held at Tassi's request, having asked to be moved to a position with a lighter workload in order to deal with a family health matter.[17]

On 25 July 2023, she announced she would not be running in the next election.[18]

Awards and honours

  • 1996: Jaczek received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Local Public Health Agencies.
  • 1997: Jaczek was a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Mentor Award from the University of Toronto's Public Health Sciences Alumni Association.
  • 2000: "In Celebration of Women" for medical leadership in York Region.
  • In 2005, she received an award for environmental planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners.
  • In 2016, she received the Ontario Psychological Association Public Service Award, as well as, the Ontario Medical Association, Life Membership Award.
  • In April 2017, she was awarded the Helen Keller Award by the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and the Canadian Helen Keller Centre for the contributions she has made to hearing and visually impaired Ontarians.
  • In November 2021, she received a Life Membership from The College of Family Physicians of Canada.[19]

Electoral record

Federal

2021 Canadian federal election: Markham-Stouffville
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalHelena Jaczek29,77351.0+12.1
ConservativeBen Smith20,74035.5+4.8
New DemocraticMuhammad Ahsin Sahi4,9618.5+2
People's PartyRené De Vries1,8693.2+2.37
GreenUzair Baig1,0491.8-0.7
Total valid votes/Expense limit 58,392100.00–
Total rejected ballots 4590.70.00
Turnout 58,85160.7
Eligible voters 96,829
Liberal hold Swing +12.1%
2019 Canadian federal election: Markham—Stouffville
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHelena Jaczek24,74338.88-10.33$101,615.44
ConservativeTheodore Antony19,57030.74-12.03$80,408.76
IndependentJane Philpott13,21620.76$101,260.04
New DemocraticHal Berman4,0136.30+0.2none listed
GreenRoy Long1,5812.48+0.56$5,982.06
People'sJeremy Lin5310.83$1,962.39
Total valid votes/expense limit 63,654100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Liberal hold Swing +0.85
Sources: CBC News[20], Elections Canada[21]

Provincial

2018 Ontario general election: Markham—Stouffville
Party Candidate Votes%
Progressive ConservativePaul Calandra25,91248.12
LiberalHelena Jaczek14,00726.01
New DemocraticKingsley Kwok10,99720.42
GreenJose Etcheverry2,1534.00
LibertarianPaul Balfour6601.23
ModerateYuri Duboisky1170.22
Total valid votes 53,846100.0  
Source: Elections Ontario[22]
2014 Ontario general election: Oak Ridges—Markham
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHelena Jaczek36,78245.55+0.74$92,420.12
Progressive ConservativeFarid Wassef30,25937.47+0.23$173,298.00
New DemocraticMiles Krauter9,35511.58−1.55$4,568.86
GreenEmilia Melara2,7913.46+0.98$0.00
LibertarianKarl Boelling1,3581.68+0.07$0.00
TrilliumGennady Vilensky2130.26N/A$0.00
Total valid votes 80,755 100.00  
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 1,156 1.43
Turnout 81,911 46.21
Eligible voters 177,255  
Liberal hold Swing +0.26
Source(s)
"Election Night Results – General Election Results by District – 059, Oak Ridges—Markham – Unofficial". Elections Ontario. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
2011 Ontario general election: Oak Ridges—Markham
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHelena Jaczek28,87844.78−3.43$83,066.00
Progressive ConservativeFarid Wassef23,95037.14+1.07$146,606.59
New DemocraticJoe Whitfeld8,54813.26+5.33$11,142.60
GreenTrifon Haitas1,5692.43−4.01$350.00
LibertarianKarl Boelling1,0571.64 $213.07
IndependentRuida Lu4840.75 $2,766.14
Total valid votes / expense limit 64,486 100.00 +8.85 $180,834,78
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 395 0.61 −0.13
Turnout 64,881 42.70 −5.07
Eligible voters 151,959   +21.63
Liberal hold Swing −2.25
Source(s)
"Summary of valid votes cast for each candidate – October 6, 2011 General Election" (PDF). Elections Ontario. November 18, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
"Statistical Summary" ( Excel Spreadsheet). Elections Ontario. October 1, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
"2011 Candidate Campaign Returns - CR-1". Elections Ontario.
2007 Ontario general election: Oak Ridges—Markham
Party Candidate Votes%
LiberalHelena Jaczek28,56448.22
Progressive ConservativePhil Bannon21,36736.07
New DemocraticJanice Hagan4,6987.93
GreenAttila Nagy3,8156.44
Family CoalitionPatrick Redmond4550.77
IndependentDoug Ransom3420.58
Total valid votes 59,241 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 444 0.74
Turnout 59,685 47.77
Eligible voters 124,939  
Sources:"Summary of valid votes cast for each candidate – October 10, 2007 General Election" (PDF). Elections Ontario. August 14, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
"Statistical Summary" (PDF). Elections Ontario. May 8, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
2003 Ontario general election, Oak Ridges
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive ConservativeFrank Klees32,64747.27-12.72
LiberalHelena Jaczek30,12643.62+9.27
New DemocraticPamela Courtot4,4646.46+2.60
GreenSteven Haylestrom1,8212.64+0.84

References

  1. ↑ "Trudeau swaps cabinet ministers Helena Jaczek and Filomena Tassi". YouTube. August 31, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ Ruprecht, Tony (2011). Toronto's Many Faces. Toronto: Dundurn Press. p. 315. ISBN 978-1-55488-885-6.
  3. ↑ "Liberal Canada Team Polonia". www.facebook.com. September 15, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Linda (September 28, 2003). "All-candidates meeting gets rowdy". The Liberal. p. 1.
  5. ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. October 2, 2003. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ "New Ontario ministry posts". Daily Commercial News and Construction Record. November 17, 2011.
  7. ↑ Richard Brennan; Robert Benzie; Rob Ferguson (June 24, 2014). "Kathleen Wynne warns financial cupboard is bare". Toronto Star.
  8. ↑ "2018 Budget Boosts Access to Health Care for Peterborough Families". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  9. ↑ "2018 Budget Boosts Access to Health Care for Peterborough Families". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Helena Jaczek, former Ontario health minister, to seek Liberal nomination in Markham-Stouffville". Global News. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Bill C-303 An Act to establish a national strategy for health data collection". Parliament of Canada. May 28, 2021.
  12. ↑ Government of Canada, Department of Finance (April 7, 2022). "Chapter 6: Strong Public Health Care | Budget 2022". budget.gc.ca. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Roles - Hon. Helena Jaczek - Current and Past - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Helena Jaczek hopeful next Parliament will be better after big victory in Markham-Stouffville". The Toronto Star. September 21, 2021. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  15. ↑ "HESA - Home - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  16. ↑ Raman-Wilms, Menaka (October 26, 2021). "New faces in cabinet include six women and an MP from Alberta". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ Zimonjic, Peter (August 31, 2022). "Trudeau tweaks cabinet, swapping ministers Tassi and Jaczek". CBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Prime Minister welcomes new Cabinet". Prime Minister of Canada. October 26, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Helena Jaczek". helenajaczek.libparl.ca. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Canada Votes 2019". CBC News. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. p. 5. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
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