Helena Jaczek
Markham—Stouffville, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, we have lost a great Canadian. Khalid Usman was a legend for his leadership in and dedication to his community. For decades, he served in countless senior roles in organizations in Markham and York region, including 14 years as a Markham councillor.”
“Mr. Speaker, although we call them rare diseases, cumulatively they affect over 3.2 million Canadians. They are debilitating and potentially life-threatening. One Canadian family watched their healthy 14-year-old child suddenly begin suffering from severe headaches, vision problems and exhaustion.”
“The Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders is calling on Parliament to strengthen the next phase of the strategy beyond 2027 by improving access to diagnostics, treatments, research and care for all Canadians living with rare diseases. No family should lose hope because help came too late.”
“Mr. Speaker, May is Polish Heritage Month in Canada, and Poland's May 3, 1791, constitution is one of the most important events in Poland's history. It has inspired generations of Poles hoping to keep alive aspirations for independence and democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, this week marks World Immunization Week. Immunizations are the most effective tool against preventable diseases such as polio that have ended or changed the lives of millions of people. In Canada, it was only a few decades ago that we were finally able to eradicate polio.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada says we are in a national silent health crisis. Cervical cancer has become the fastest rising form of cancer in Canada. Last year an estimated 1,650 Canadian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 430 will die from the disease.”
The complete record
Every one of 19 lines we hold for Helena Jaczek, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Many of my colleagues here in this House and I are honoured to have known him and sad to have lost a friend. He will be sorely missed. I give my sincere condolences to Abida, his daughters and their families, and so many friends.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have lost a great Canadian. Khalid Usman was a legend for his leadership in and dedication to his community. For decades, he served in countless senior roles in organizations in Markham and York region, including 14 years as a Markham councillor. A chartered accountant by profession, he was a champion of the Pakistani and Muslim communities and of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The first time I visited a mosque, some 20 years ago, it was at Khalid's invitation. He helped raise funds in support of hospitals in Canada and Pakistan, including for the Markham Stouffville Hospital in my riding. Always greeting people with an infectious smile, he gave in so many ways. With kindness, energy, passion and good humour, he was truly larger than life.”
“The Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders is calling on Parliament to strengthen the next phase of the strategy beyond 2027 by improving access to diagnostics, treatments, research and care for all Canadians living with rare diseases. No family should lose hope because help came too late.”
“Mr. Speaker, although we call them rare diseases, cumulatively they affect over 3.2 million Canadians. They are debilitating and potentially life-threatening. One Canadian family watched their healthy 14-year-old child suddenly begin suffering from severe headaches, vision problems and exhaustion. After months of uncertainty, the child was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly brain cancer. Through early intervention, surgery, treatment and extraordinary courage, that child survived and today continues to inspire others facing rare diseases. Our government has committed $1.4 billion through agreements with all provinces and territories under the national strategy for drugs for rare diseases, to improve access to affordable and life-saving treatments.”
“Mr. Speaker, May is Polish Heritage Month in Canada, and Poland's May 3, 1791, constitution is one of the most important events in Poland's history. It has inspired generations of Poles hoping to keep alive aspirations for independence and democracy. Canada's first recorded Polish immigrant arrived in 1752, and since then, waves of immigration have formed Canada's Polish community, which is now a million people strong in communities from coast to coast to coast. As chair of the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, and with my own Polish roots, I am proud to say Canada's polish community is as strong and vibrant as ever. Poland has become Canada's close NATO ally and our largest trading partner in central and eastern Europe, and our ties continue to grow. Join us tomorrow at 9 a.m. for the Polish flag raising on Parliament Hill.”
“This World Immunization Week, we can be proud that Canada's continued support for immunizations and the global polio eradication initiative is helping ensure that future generations can live in a world free of polio.”
“Mr. Speaker, this week marks World Immunization Week. Immunizations are the most effective tool against preventable diseases such as polio that have ended or changed the lives of millions of people. In Canada, it was only a few decades ago that we were finally able to eradicate polio. Since then, through the efforts of advocates and mechanisms like the global polio eradication initiative, we are on the brink of eradicating polio globally. Nations around the world are pulling back their funding, yet polio anywhere remains a threat to people everywhere. Canada has continued to be a global leader in immunization, but we still need investments like the GPEI to stop outbreaks through surveillance and to ensure polio eradication through vaccinations.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada says we are in a national silent health crisis. Cervical cancer has become the fastest rising form of cancer in Canada. Last year an estimated 1,650 Canadian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 430 will die from the disease. Cervical cancer had been in decline for decades, but in recent years, rates have been on the rise. This is a disease that is almost entirely preventable through human papillomavirus vaccination, easily diagnosed through cervical screening and highly curable when treated early. Last July, our government released an action plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. During this April, Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, Canadian women need to know that HPV vaccination and cervical screening can save lives.”
“Personalized lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise and, when necessary, medical interventions like pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery can all help to improve the health of Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, March 4 is World Obesity Day, and we should be aware of the serious situation that Canada is facing. In 1981, just 9% of Canadians lived with obesity. Now, according to a recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, this has risen to roughly a third of Canadians. We have one of the highest rates of obesity in the OECD. What is troubling is that obesity is a strong predictor of health complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases and cancer. Obesity is a chronic disease that is placing enormous pressure on an already overburdened health care system, but by taking action to prevent and treat obesity, we can improve our health care systems.”
“His contributions will benefit our communities for generations to come. I offer my sincere condolences to Alan's family and friends, and to everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. We will miss Alan's twinkling eyes.”
“Mr. Speaker, we recently lost a great Canadian. I first knew Alan Wells when we worked together at The Regional Municipality of York. A chartered accountant by profession, he served there with dedication for 27 years, including as commissioner of social services and finally as chief administrative officer and my boss. After his retirement, our paths crossed again when I was the member of provincial Parliament appointed to serve on the Rouge Park Alliance, of which he was chair. Under his leadership, along with our colleague the member for Wellington—Halton Hills North , we were finally able to establish the Rouge National Urban Park. Alan was a dedicated environmentalist, Blue Jays fan, fishing enthusiast, former Uxbridge town councillor, engaged supporter of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust and so much more.”
“Madam Speaker, Canada has what the world needs and wants: the best-educated workforce in the world, free trade agreements with every G7 country, an abundance of natural resources, and world-class innovators, entrepreneurs and exporters. Thanks to budget 2025, Canada will also have the lowest marginal effective tax rate in the G7. Unlike the members opposite, I am proud to have voted in favour of a budget that will boost productivity and attract investments. Can the parliamentary secretary remind the House exactly what those—”
“Mr. Speaker, today marks the fourth Young Polonia Leadership Summit, hosted in Ottawa by the Canadian Polish Congress, in collaboration with the Polish embassy and the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group. This summit brings together over 30 young Polish-Canadian leaders from across the country who represent the future of Polonia in Canada, a community whose contributions have enriched our country for generations. As chair of the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, and with my own Polish roots, I am honoured to be part of it because Poland is Canada's close ally, one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union and our largest trading partner in central and eastern Europe. Our Prime Minister and Prime Minister Tusk affirmed in August that our countries are committed to strengthening our strategic partnership.”
“As we celebrate Women's History Month, I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Powell for her pioneering work in advancing women's health in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, during this Women's History Month, members of this House may be surprised to know that until 1969, it was criminal in Canada for physicians to prescribe oral contraceptives for women for the purpose of contraception. However, some brave physicians who felt that every child should be a wanted child were defying this prohibition before 1969. One of them was Dr. Marion Powell. Dr. Powell established the first municipally funded birth control clinic in Canada in 1966 when she was the country's first-ever female medical officer of health. I worked with Marion in the 1970s and 1980s when she was director of the Bay Centre for Birth Control, a clinic that is still operated by the Women's College Hospital in Toronto to this day. She was my mentor, and she encouraged me to become a medical officer of health.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of a new government that has championed trade diversification since day one. We have broken down internal trade barriers within Canada, and we have signed new trade agreements with Ecuador and Indonesia. We are moving at a pace and an intensity that Canadians expect of us. Can the Minister of International Trade update the House on our government's latest action to expand and grow our trade relationship with the United Kingdom and on what it means for Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to tell the House about a remarkable constituent of mine from Markham—Stouffville. In 2023, Adam Shah was just nine years old when he came up with the idea of organizing “Adam's ride to recovery”, a charity event to raise money for Markham Stouffville Hospital. He encouraged his family members and his friends at Wendat Village Public School to take part. Now, Adam is 11 and the “ride to recovery” has become an annual event. I was happy to be there this summer to see 150 participants on bikes and on foot. The ride is supported by the phenomenal people at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. Each year, the ride has raised more money than the year before, now totalling $3,185. Adam has shown an incredible example of leadership and commitment to community service at such a young age.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a tremendous honour to rise again in the House as the member of Parliament for Markham—Stouffville. I am thankful to my wonderful campaign team and to the people of Markham—Stouffville for the privilege of serving them. Markham—Stouffville is an extraordinary place due to the contributions of countless exceptional individuals, whom I recognized earlier this year with the King's coronation medals. Congratulations to Mark Atikian, Allan Bell, Lina Bigioni, Shaowen Chen, Mike Clare, Glenn Crosby, Wayne Emmerson, Margaret Grandison, Ray McNeice, Jack Heath, Sivan Ilangko, Dr. Fareen Karachiwalla, Dr. Emilie Lam, Madge Logan, Mayor Iain Lovatt, Jo-anne Marr, Rev. Joan Masterton, Haresh Mehta, Ignacio “Mogi” Mogado, Marlene Mogado, Dr. Najmul Siddiqui, Chief Bill Snowball, Susan Tucker, Dr.”