Helena Jaczek

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The Honourable
Helena Jaczek
PC MP
Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 26, 2021
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byMélanie Joly (Economic Development)
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 Parliament
for Markham—Stouffville
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 21, 2019
Preceded byJane Philpott
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
ResidenceHolland Landing, Ontario[1]
EducationSt. Clement's School
Alma materUniversity of Toronto (MD, MHS)
York University (MBA)
OccupationPhysician, politician
Websitehelenajaczek.liberal.ca/

Krystina Helena Jaczek PC MP is a Canadian physician and Liberal politician, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Markham—Stouffville in the House of Commons of Canada. In October 2021, Jaczek was appointed Minister of Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) in the Cabinet of Canada. Jaczek previously 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 immigrated 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. Jaczek has two adult children and she lives in York Region with her partner.[4]

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.[5] She lost to incumbent Frank Klees by 2,521 votes.[6] 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.[7] 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 perspective 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.[citation needed] 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."[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

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.[8]

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.[citation needed]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.[citation needed]

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

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.[9] 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.[10]

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 soundly defeated by Progressive Conservative Paul Calandra.[citation needed]

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.[11]

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.[12] though the parliament ended before it was brought to a vote. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaczek was invited to take part in the Standing Committee on Health.

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.[13]

Awards and honours[]

  • 1996: Jaczek received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Local Public Health Agencies.[citation needed]
  • 1997: Jaczek was a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Mentor Award from the University of Toronto’s Public Health Sciences Alumni Association.[citation needed]
  • 2000: "In Celebration of Women" for medical leadership in York Region.[citation needed]
  • In 2005, she received an Award for Environmental Planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners.[citation needed]
  • In 2016, she received the Ontario Psychological Association Public Service Award, as well as, the Ontario Medical Association, Life Membership Award.[citation needed]
  • 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.[citation needed]
  • In November 2021, she received a Life Membership from The College of Family Physicians of Canada.[14]

Electoral record[]

Federal[]

2019 Canadian federal election: Markham—Stouffville
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Helena Jaczek 24,743 38.88 -10.33 $101,615.44
Conservative Theodore Antony 19,570 30.74 -12.03 $80,408.76
Independent Jane Philpott 13,216 20.76 $101,260.04
New Democratic Hal Berman 4,013 6.30 +0.2 none listed
Green Roy Long 1,581 2.48 +0.56 $5,982.06
People's Jeremy Lin 531 0.83 $1,962.39
Total valid votes/expense limit 63,654 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Liberal hold Swing +0.85
Sources: CBC News[15], Elections Canada[16]

Provincial[]

2018 Ontario general election: Markham—Stouffville
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Conservative Paul Calandra 25,912 48.12
Liberal Helena Jaczek 14,007 26.01
New Democratic Kingsley Kwok 10,997 20.42
Green Jose Etcheverry 2,153 4.00
Libertarian Paul Balfour 660 1.23
Ontario Moderate Party Yuri Duboisky 117 0.22
Total valid votes 53,846 100.0  
Source: Elections Ontario[17]
2014 Ontario general election: Oak Ridges—Markham
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Helena Jaczek 36,782 45.55 +0.74 $92,420.12
Progressive Conservative Farid Wassef 30,259 37.47 +0.23 $173,298.00
New Democratic Miles Krauter 9,355 11.58 −1.55 $4,568.86
Green Emilia Melara 2,791 3.46 +0.98 $0.00
Libertarian Karl Boelling 1,358 1.68 +0.07 $0.00
Trillium Gennady Vilensky 213 0.26 N/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
Liberal Helena Jaczek 28,878 44.78 −3.43 $83,066.00
Progressive Conservative Farid Wassef 23,950 37.14 +1.07 $146,606.59
New Democratic Joe Whitfeld 8,548 13.26 +5.33 $11,142.60
Green Trifon Haitas 1,569 2.43 −4.01 $350.00
Libertarian Karl Boelling 1,057 1.64   $213.07
Independent Ruida Lu 484 0.75   $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" (Microsoft Excel 2013-2019 logo.svg 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 %
Liberal Helena Jaczek 28,564 48.22
Progressive Conservative Phil Bannon 21,367 36.07
New Democratic Janice Hagan 4,698 7.93
Green Attila Nagy 3,815 6.44
Family Coalition Patrick Redmond 455 0.77
Independent Doug Ransom 342 0.58
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 Conservative Frank Klees 32,647 47.27 -12.72
Liberal Helena Jaczek 30,126 43.62 +9.27
New Democratic Pamela Courtot 4,464 6.46 +2.60
Green Steven Haylestrom 1,821 2.64 +0.84

References[]

  1. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  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. ^ Ransberry, Joan (May 20, 2007). "Jaczek to run for Grits in Oak Ridges-Markham". The Liberal. p. 1.
  5. ^ Johnson, Linda (September 28, 2003). "All-candidates meeting gets rowdy". The Liberal. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. October 2, 2003. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  7. ^ "New Ontario ministry posts". Daily Commercial News and Construction Record. November 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Richard Brennan; Robert Benzie; Rob Ferguson (June 24, 2014). "Kathleen Wynne warns financial cupboard is bare". Toronto Star.
  9. ^ "2018 Budget Boosts Access to Health Care for Peterborough Families". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  10. ^ "2018 Budget Boosts Access to Health Care for Peterborough Families". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "Helena Jaczek, former Ontario health minister, to seek Liberal nomination in Markham-Stouffville". Global News. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  12. ^ "Bill C-303 An Act to establish a national strategy for health data collection". Parliament of Canada. May 28, 2021.
  13. ^ "HESA - Home - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  14. ^ "Helena Jaczek". helenajaczek.libparl.ca. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "Canada Votes 2019". CBC News. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  16. ^ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  17. ^ "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. p. 5. Retrieved January 16, 2019.

External links[]

Ontario provincial government of Kathleen Wynne
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Eric Hoskins Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
2018 (January–June)
Christine Elliott
Ted McMeekin Minister of Community and Social Services
2014–2018
Michael Coteau
Retrieved from ""