Patty Hajdu
Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, what an insult to the hard-working tradespeople and building unions across this country who have been standing with this government, fighting to build Canada strong, fighting to train their members and make sure more young people have great skilled jobs that pay fabulous wages, something I thought those guys were for but vote…”
“Mr. Speaker, the real question is this: When will the Conservatives stop voting against the very constituents they claim to stand up for and support?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank that member for his constant advocacy for opportunities for youth. We are proud on this side of the bench to have so many young representatives here in the government benches. We are very eager to work with them to ensure that youth have the best opportunities to succeed.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled that in my riding, Lakehead University is opening a new vet school in partnership with Guelph. It is very exciting news for the many people in my riding who are waiting to access veterinarian care. We will continue to work with provinces and territories on making sure that education is affordable.”
“Mr. Speaker, we work diligently to make sure that Canadians get the benefits to which they are entitled. Indeed, the focus of the department is to ensure that Canadians have access to those benefits and supports when they are challenged in applying for those benefits.”
“Mr. Speaker, if we check Hansard, we will find that member on record saying that parents do not want help. In fact, what I hear from Canadians, including Albertans, who write to me as the minister of jobs and families, is that we should stand up for each other, that we should make sure not one kid goes hungry, no matter if their parent is…”
The complete record
Every one of 302 lines we hold for Patty Hajdu, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 7.
“Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that it is a national day of mourning for workers who have lost their lives or become injured at work. I know all of the members in this House are thinking about their families, communities and colleagues today. I also want to speak about the investment that we have been making in skilled trades, major projects and community infrastructure across the country, in fact, so much so that we are getting the support of people who I think the members opposite know. We hear from people like Joe Mancinelli from LiUNA, who says that the true economic strength begins with those who build it, and Marc Arsenault from the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, who says that they are pleased to see the federal government's—”
“Mr. Speaker, all across Canada, Canadians have been pulling together to make sure that we build Canada strong. I would challenge the member from the opposite party to ask herself this: Why is she voting against kids getting food in school? Why is she voting against affordable child care? Why does she vote against skilled tradespeople having the opportunity to fill their apprenticeship and actually get those great jobs? Why is she voting against investments in infrastructure, in housing and in water? It does not matter what solution we propose. Those guys are against Canada and Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, I know that there are a lot of Conservative voters out there, even in my own riding, who come up to me every single day. Do members know what they say to me? They say to keep going, to keep fighting for our workers, to keep fighting for our kids and to keep fighting for our families. That is why I am proud to be just another Liberal.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us try this another way. If being Conservative means voting against hungry kids, I guess the Leader of the Opposition is just another Conservative. If being a member of the Conservative Party means voting against workers, trades, GST tax credits, tax on fuel and doubling down on— Some hon. members : Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, if being just another Liberal means that we support single mothers with the cost of child care, then I am just another Liberal. If being just another Liberal means that we help ensure that kids get food to eat in schools, then I am just another Liberal. If making sure that skilled tradespeople get the training to get those prosperous jobs, or investing in major projects, is being a Liberal, then I am just another Liberal. I guess the question is this: What do Conservatives really stand for if being Liberal is about helping Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, what we are telling Canadians is that no matter the circumstance, we are going to be there for them. I just want to take this moment to say to all Canadian students across the country that there are 100,000 new jobs in the job bank and to please apply for Canada summer jobs in their own community. This is the kind of action, by the way, that these guys vote against all the time. They vote against kids. They vote against moms. They vote against seniors. They vote against tradespeople. What are they in favour of?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we hit a nerve today, did we not? They know the truth. Whether we are talking about investment and skilled trades workers, or supporting workers when they are laid off due to tariffs or other issues related to that sector, Conservatives vote against Canadians' interests. Whether it is $500, $1,800, $16,000, it is the same pattern of behaviour. They vote against the very Canadians they say they care about. Their actions prove exactly what side they are on—”
“Mr. Speaker, just moments ago, the Leader of the Opposition was talking about single mothers. What I would like to say to all the single moms across the country is that we have their back. We have their back with the Canada child benefit payment, which is indexed to inflation, so that when the costs go up, so does their payment. This is something the Conservatives voted against. We have their back when it comes to the cost of child care, to make sure that not only can they go to work and improve their skills, but they can actually pay for quality child care while they do it. These guys vote against workers. They vote against moms. They vote against kids—”
“Mr. Speaker, while this government has been focused on giving Canadians a boost today and a bridge to tomorrow, the opposition has been sticking spokes in the wheels of Canadians, whether it is affordable child care, building major projects, training skilled trades workers, making sure youth can afford post-secondary education or feeding kids at school. It does not matter what the support is; the Conservatives say no. They have no vision for this country, and no vision for Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, whether $190 a year, $1,800 a year or $12,000 a year, no matter the savings that we find for Canadians, the answer from the Conservative Party is, “No, not that, not those savings for families. That is not good enough.” Families know that this government is here to support them in these times and in all times. This is the way to build Canada strong for all.”
“Mr. Speaker, workers in Canada must have confidence in our EI system. That is why we added measures to support workers across the country. I want to work with my colleague to come up with other ideas to help workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, employment insurance is very important for all workers in this country. That is why we improved the program and added measures for workers facing real hardships. [ English ] It is why we have added measures to ensure that workers who are facing hard times get what they deserve as fast as they can and ensure that they have the weeks they need to stay financially viable.”
“Mr. Speaker, here is the thing: We can focus on two things at the same time. We can help families with urgent cost relief right now, which we are doing by eliminating the fuel excise tax, but what we can also do, and this is the part Conservatives do not get, is help with long-term sustainable affordability. That is where things like affordable child care come in, or removing the HST from new homes, or making sure that there are school food programs, or ensuring that the Canada child benefit is there for families. We want to be there for families now when the crisis is urgent, but also in the long term. That is the kind of stuff the Conservatives vote against every time.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us suppose for a moment that there is a generational windfall. I know what the Conservatives would not spend it on. They sure would not spend it on training for young people, because they voted against that. They sure would not spend it on building the kind of infrastructure that communities need while creating great-paying union jobs, because they voted against that. They sure would not spend it on student food programs or an affordable early learning and child care program that is saving Ontario families $16,000 per year per child, because they voted against that. What would the Conservatives spend any kind of tax earnings on? Not Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know what the Conservatives' jobs plan is, because they vote against every single thing, including the things that unions have said they need. We are investing in skills training for young people. We are moving forward with a defence industrial strategy that is creating 125,000 jobs, the major projects are estimated to support over 60,000 jobs and we are ensuring that workers have the training they need. These are all things the Conservatives fight against. What exactly is their jobs strategy? Is it to do nothing?”
“Mr. Speaker, maybe the member remembers voting against all of the measures that actually make life more affordable. For example, there is early learning and child care here in Ontario, which is saving a family with one child $16,000 a year. For example, there was the announcement we just made yesterday to ensure students can access up to 40% more in student grants, which is going to make sure that student accessibility to education remains affordable. The list goes on and on, but no matter what it is, the Conservatives vote against it. Why do they not support Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, at the end of the member for Calgary Midnapore 's question, just recently, she screamed “shut up” at another member across the aisle. I have to say it is disheartening. I know we get excited and there is heckling that goes on, but to use such unparliamentary language, especially when asking a question, seems really disrespectful in this place.”
“Mr. Speaker, what the member alleges is hard to prove. What I will say is that what we can prove is that the investments we are making in workers, the investments we are making in major projects and the investments we are making in defence will lead to hundreds of thousands of jobs. Do members know who is happy about that? It is the unions and the workers all across this country who are eagerly looking forward to building Canada strong under the Prime Minister .”
“Mr. Speaker, despite the conversation today about the impacts of immigration on youth unemployment, I will remind opposition members that even though they enjoy the benefits of something like the Canada summer jobs program, and they go out and meet those students, they vote against those programs time and time again. It is a bit fraudulent, I would say, to meet youth in their ridings and celebrate that opportunity while voting against that very program in the House of Commons. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know what workers that member was speaking with, but it sure was not the president of Unifor Local 200, who said, “The problem is that he went ahead and did not consult with Unifor, and it was very, very frustrating to see the things that he put in place knowing we would be in big trouble”. The president, John D'Agnolo, went on to say that he is “ecstatic” over the auto measures, which are “so important to our community” when he was referring to the Liberal plan. He said, “It's important as time goes by and the market starts to turn...we...give Canadians the option”. That is what the federal government has done with this policy. If she wants to know what workers think, she should talk to the union.”
“Mr. Speaker, the number of Canadians waiting to start their OAS is declining. In fact, Canadians expect a modern benefit delivery system that makes sure their benefits are available when they need them. There were 7.7 million Canadians transferred to the new system without any problem, and those who are waiting are largely paper applications. We have a plan and a process to get through those. If anyone is in urgent need, we can get their money to them within 24 to 48 hours.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is almost as if the Conservatives do not understand that we are in a tariff war and that there is a war in the Middle East threatening the Canadian economy right now. We have been preparing to support workers in these turbulent times, but yet again, they vote against every measure we put forward for workers. That is not what the Ontario government is saying. I was so proud to sign the Canada-Ontario workforce tariff response. In fact, we got support from Vic Fedeli, Mike Harris and Premier Ford. The provinces are working with the federal government to take care of workers. All we hear from that side is their voting against workers time and again.”
“Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, I heard a Conservative member of Parliament say that helping people was ideological. Maybe they should get together and talk to each other, because if you think that helping people fix their teeth is ideological, feeding a hungry kid at school is ideological, cutting taxes is ideological or having child care that costs people $16,000 less a year is ideological, then I actually think that you are out to lunch.”
“In fact, Mr. Speaker, the number of seniors waiting for their first payment is going down. I will remind the member opposite that these are very specific cases that are largely paper applications. This system is designed to provide the stability that Canadians expect, including Quebeckers, when they receive benefits from Canada. More and more people are applying online, and I will just say that it is a very important tool that Canadians expect to have available when it is their turn to apply for CPP and OAS.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is true that what scares people the most is a system that breaks down when they need it. [ English ] They are afraid of a system that will fail them in their time of need, and let me be clear. That is exactly why we have modernized this system, because a 60-year-old system was guaranteed to fail. In fact, that is what the Auditor General said. I think we agree that it was time to modernize, and 7.7 million Canadians are receiving payments on time, on schedule. The remaining Canadians who have applied by paper largely are getting the help they need. We urge all Canadians to apply online for—”
“Mr. Speaker, if the member has a Mr. Lavoie who is experiencing such difficulties, surely he knows that there is an MP hotline that he can use himself, or, as I have mentioned many times, he can also come to me and we will ensure that Mr. Lavoie gets his benefits urgently. As the member knows, this is an ancient system that was prone to problems and difficulties. Canadians expect systems that are modern and that they can access online. This provides security for benefits that Canadians rely on in a time when security is of paramount importance. I hope the member opposite—”
“Mr. Speaker, if the member says that 7.7 million seniors' getting reliable, modern delivery of benefits is a disaster, I am not sure what the member opposite is talking about. She would have us go back to a system that is 60 years old, paper-based and hackable. It would fail. In fact, the Auditor General said that the old system was so frail that Canadians could not count on it. Is that what she wants to keep delivering for Canadians? We are about moving forward with the future, and Canadians expect benefit delivery that is reliable and safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, the program that the member opposite is talking about, Cúram, is used in 20 countries around the world. This is a wild goose chase, and she knows it. Seven point seven million Canadians have been successfully transferred to this system. In fact, we are working through the backlog. These are complicated cases, often with paper applications. There is a hotline for urgent cases. Urgent cases are getting dealt with within 24 to 48 hours. Canadians expect responsible, reliable delivery of benefits, and that is what this modernization provides.”
“Mr. Speaker, when my colleague talks about ideological programs, I sure hope he is not talking about the national child care plan, which has actually reduced costs for Ontario families by $16,000 per child, per year, here in Ontario. I sure hope he is not talking about the school nutrition program, which families, experts and educators have all sung the praises of for ensuring that kids get good food. I sure hope he is not talking about the dental care plan, which is helping low-income Canadians get their teeth fixed. I do not know what he means when he says “ideological”.”
“Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, I have been in front of committee talking about these numbers and being very transparent with Canadians. In fact, here is a number: 7.7 million recipients of OAS on the new system received their benefits on time and without a hitch. There are some cases that are more complicated. They are paper-based applications. We have dedicated staff working with these individuals. If the member opposite has a person in their riding who needs urgent help, we can also do that. These payments can be processed within 24 to 48 hours.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us take a step back. Cúram is a software system. It is used around the world for benefit payments in countries all over the world. In fact, each country needs to specialize that system because, of course, benefit rules vary in different countries. In fact, the number the member opposite is quoting is the total envelope that it could take for three separate benefit systems.”
“Mr. Speaker, if 7.7 million migrations to a new system is a failure compared to 85,000 cases with missing information on paper applications, I am not sure how the Conservatives are doing accounting. Quite frankly, Canadians expect modernization of legacy systems that serve them every day, day in and day out. We will not tolerate the risk of aging systems failing and creating a disaster for seniors. This is why we are taking action, and we are seeing success.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us start with the difference between an estimate and an expenditure. An estimate is what things might cost. In fact, we are way under the estimate as it stands, and we have just started. We have transformed a very old system, 60 years old. I would point out that this is something the Conservatives let decay during their 10 years of government. We took action early on, in 2017, to modernize a system that Canadians depend on day in and day out. In fact, the caseload backlog is going down. We have dedicated staff working day and night. Finally—”
“Mr. Speaker, I think the question is about old age security, so I will stick to that program. In fact, that 60-year-old program, which was fraught with problems, was something the Government of Canada sought to modernize because Canadians now expect to be able to apply for their benefits online and have more control over how they apply for their benefits. In fact, 7.7 million Canadians have transitioned to this new program. For some particular cases with difficult information, we have seen some delays, and as that member knows, we are seeing a decline in—”
“Mr. Speaker, I will get up again and explain exactly what we are doing here, which is exactly what Canadians expect. They expect modern systems that provide benefits, in a seamless way, that they can actually apply for online. Those are exactly the programs that we are designing for seniors. There are 7.7 million seniors already on the new system. There are two more benefit plans to go: employment insurance and CPP. We are confident that Canadians know this is exactly what they need for the next generation.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma is a force to be reckoned with. In fact, it was such an honour to stand with him at the Algoma steel mill to support the defence of Canadian-made steel. I want to thank him for his ongoing advocacy. It was a very proud moment for me to announce five additional workforce alliances. These are something the industry has been calling for for a very long time and a way to streamline skills training with the needs of the industry. I am so thrilled that we are working strongly with workers and employers across this country to build Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, I find it ironic that the member opposite is saying that he has asked who to speak to. I have said about 15 times, members should come and speak to me directly if they have cases that they need accelerated. I have also been very clear in the House that this is a massive transformation of software. We have a portfolio of money allotted to us to do that transformation, and in fact we are under budget. If the member opposite needs to be briefed, I ask him to come to me immediately after question period, and I will talk to him.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I have said, 7.7 million seniors have been transitioned to this new software. There are still some seniors who have applied for their benefits and are waiting. That number is dropping every week, every month, as we anticipate it will continue to do. Our officials are working very hard, night and day, to make sure that all cases are resolved. If the member opposite has a person in his riding who needs urgent attention, I suggest he share that name with me or have them call Service Canada. We have not received any names yet from that member of Parliament.”
“Mr. Speaker, over and over, we have heard that number, which is patently wrong. I have no other way to say it. This is the largest transformation of the way we deliver benefits in the history of this country. We are moving three important benefit programs from paper-based, old school technology to full modernization, where people will be able to and are right now able to apply online. This is the —”
“Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to be part of a country that believes that people with disabilities deserve to live in dignity, and that is why we have a disability tax credit. As the member knows, this is important work for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in Canadian society, and we will continue to advocate to ensure that everyone reaches their full potential in this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, there is room over here. I agree that the Prime Minister is an honourable man, and that is why I am so confident to serve under his leadership. Regarding the issue of Cúram, it would be great if we had some honourable conversations about the real facts of this case. In fact, 7.7 million seniors have been transferred to the new system without any delay. The number that the opposition members keep repeating are new applicants. We have a process as well for urgent cases. I have asked the member opposite to come to me with those urgent cases, and we can get people's benefits started within 24 to 48 hours. There is a—”
“Mr. Speaker, they want to stay in the very distant past. In fact, they would prefer benefits to be administered on a 60-year-old system, using paper, and be hand-administrated. That is not what the government has decided to do. We are continuing the modernization of benefits for all Canadians. The number that the Bloc Québécois continues to use is misleading to Canadians. In fact, it is the sum for the modernization of three major benefit programs. It is the sum that is invested in Canadians' ability to get their benefits online, in time and in the modern world.”
“Mr. Speaker, do members know what the real question is? Will the Conservatives stop voting against investments in health care? Will the Conservatives stop voting against things like a national dental care plan, which is deeply connected to the health of Canadians? I agree with my colleague. The Conservatives are punching down on the most vulnerable Canadians. I will say this. We are all in this together; Canadians are united in ensuring that we have a universal health care system that is there for people regardless of their ability to pay.”
“Mr. Speaker, transitioning 7 million Canadians to a system without a hitch would not be my definition of failure. Do members know what would be? It would be not investing in the modernization of systems when there was a chance to and voting against bringing all our systems up to date. Not only are we modernizing OAS, but we are also modernizing EI and CPP for all Canadians. Canadians ought to have systems they can use digitally. That is what we are doing. We are making sure that Canadians have state-of-the-art benefit payments.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is not true what the opposition is saying. The initial program authority of $1.7 billion was intended to be used to kick-start the first phase. In fact, the program is under budget. The great news is that 7 million Canadians have transitioned to this new system. The previous system was 60 years old. Can members imagine the paper applications that were being filed, with lots of mistakes? This is going to make life easier for all seniors going forward. If the member opposite has some urgent cases that they know of, I ask him to please send them our way. We are able to process those in 24 hours.”
“Mr. Speaker, every step of the way, as the government works to support families in need, the Conservatives vote against it. They obstruct our budget bill in the House, money that Canadian families need for all kinds of things, including the jobs that many of our union workers are relying on. Do members know what helps with food insecurity? It is good-paying jobs. Here is a newsflash: The Conservatives vote against every measure that actually creates good-paying jobs. Whether it is helping hungry people or helping hard-working Canadians, they are opposed. What is it going to take?”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not think that member was around when the opposition party voted time and again against the investments that provinces and territories had been asking us to make in strengthening our universal health care system. That is how we build a health care system that everybody is proud of. It is something we built on the foundations of our forefathers and mothers in this place, to ensure that people can access quality, affordable health care across this country. It is not by tearing down different groups of people.”
“Mr. Speaker, funding for a project of this magnitude involves incremental allocations, not a lump sum payment. The program's initial $1.7 billion in funding was to launch the first phase of the project; it was never intended to cover the complete restructuring of multiple benefits systems. This investment is going to generate efficiency and reliability gains for years to come.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member for Davenport is a tireless advocate for seniors and housing across Canada. Our government is working to ensure seniors can age in place with dignity and the supports they need. Indeed, Dunn House provides rent-geared-to-income units for at-risk seniors in Toronto, which helps them live safely and independently. The Conservatives are asking how many. Over the past month alone, we have created 7,500 new homes in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Why are they standing in the way of— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, I have worked very well with the MP opposite, and I invite him to come and be briefed on the Cúram system. As we have been saying in the House, this is a very old system that needed modernization. In fact, one of the aspects of that modernization is that people can now apply for their benefits online, without personal assistance. That is going to relieve the load on the entire department. Seven and a half million people have transitioned to this new system without problems. For those urgent cases that are stuck in the queue, we will make sure they get their benefits urgently. We can do that within 48 hours if the member will please send us the names.”