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 4 of 7.
“Mr. Speaker, it is historic. For the first time in this country, we have a disability tax benefit, and I want to thank all parliamentarians who supported this. Unfortunately, again the Conservatives voted against the very people they say they wish to help. Budget 2025 actually goes a step further, and it compensates people for the financial burden of getting doctors' forms to file for their credit. We will continue to work with people who are living with disabilities to make sure that they have every opportunity to thrive in Canadian society.”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday it was distressing to see member of Parliament after member of Parliament from the Conservative side vote against and argue against relieving consumers of the price of carbon, which we have, in the bill in front of the House, promised to do. They have voted against. They will vote against a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. It is again something that Conservatives like to talk about, lower taxes, but in actuality, they fight against it. Who are they really fighting for? It is sure not the Canadians or the Conservatives I am talking to in Thunder Bay—Superior North.”
“Mr. Speaker, all across the country, municipalities are stepping up to make new housing available for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Take the City of Thunder Bay, which, just last night, through its council, approved a motion to free up surplus city land for 1,400 homes. It is facilitated by the housing accelerator fund. That is the work of a government that is behind communities and that is behind people. Here is what we can say about the Conservatives. They vote against the very people who need that help. We are building Canada strong with municipalities like the municipality of Marathon, which is here today.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the northern Ontario mayors who were here this week, talking about their incredible work to attract people to northern Ontario. These mayors are actually investing in the very things that create affordable housing, using the housing accelerator, working with infrastructure, working with the Province of Ontario and making sure that as critical mineral projects boom in our region, we have the housing to accommodate those workers. Good things are coming for northern Ontario.”
“Mr. Speaker, here we go again with the imaginary taxes. In fact, the food professor himself said that one of the hardest things to predict is the effect of climate change on the cost of food. They do not use that quote when they are misleading Canadians with inaccurate information. On this side of the House, we know what helps families; it is actually money in their pockets. When the Canada child benefit is indexed to inflation, when the OAS and GIS are there for seniors, when we have dental care and pharmacare, and affordable early learning and child care, these things are reducing costs for families and putting money in the pockets of Canadians. That is how we help.”
“Mr. Speaker, it would be really nice if the Conservatives would read the reports that they quote in the House of Commons. Food banks Ontario talks about the importance of increasing base rates for social assistance, making sure that people living in poverty have sufficient social supports and investing in income supports for Canadians, like we have done through the Canada disability support payment. The kinds of recommendations coming out of these reports fly in the face of the individualism we hear from over on the other side. What Canadians know is that sometimes people face hard times, and when they do, they want their country to be there for them.”
“Mr. Speaker, every step of the way, the Conservatives fight against the supports Canadian families talk about needing. In fact, they just asked a question about workers who are facing job losses at Algoma Steel, yet when they had a chance to vote for the expansion of EI for easier access, longer duration and more generous benefits, they voted against it. How do the Conservatives, in any way, have the right to stand up and talk about the needs of Canadians when they stand in the way of the supports those very Canadians need?”
“Madam Speaker, Canada's GDP growth last quarter was 2.6%, blowing out economists' projections. That is what growing Canada strong looks like. It is an investment in the potential of the country. It is an investment in right now. We have the highest rate of women ever in the workforce. Do members know why? It is because we have an affordable child care agreement. Yesterday, Saskatchewan signed an extension of five years, at $1.5 billion, to make sure that we not only get women into the workforce but keep them there. I have one more thing: $10-a-day has been achieved in Saskatchewan. That is real action. That is partnership with provinces and—”
“Madam Speaker, yesterday, I met with operating engineers from all across the country who came to talk to me about the investments we are making in building Canada strong. They are so excited about the work for their members. As the proud mother of an operating engineer, I could not be more thrilled as well. These are great jobs for young people and tradespeople all across the country. This is how we build a country strong. We invest in the workers of today and tomorrow.”
“Mr. Speaker, finally, Hamilton gets a voice in the House of Commons with a strong MP who had to repeat his question four times. How disrespectful is that to the workers of Hamilton, who are really struggling and working so hard to pivot to new product and new markets. That is why standing beside ArcelorMittal Dofasco yesterday, one of the backbones of our steel industry here in Canada, and the Prime Minister as we continue to support that industry to pivot to new markets and to new product was so important. On this side of the House, we will listen to the steel industry—”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I stood with the Prime Minister and the president of Dofasco as we announced additional supports for steel, for lumber, for communities, for organizations and for their employees, who have been deeply impacted by tariffs. They are not only encouraged by our support; they are excited about the future. Do members know why? It is because they have an opportunity through buy Canada policies to pivot their products and sell to Canadian projects. That is what Canadians expect, that we invest in ourselves and take care of ourselves, something these guys cannot get.”
“Mr. Speaker, today, the announcement with the Prime Minister and the Premier of Alberta is good news for workers all across the country. It is good news for workers in Alberta. It is certainly good news for skilled tradespeople and the young apprentices who are and learning these trades. This is an announcement about prosperity and shared prosperity. It scopes in indigenous people and creates wealth. I certainly hope that the member understands that this is something that will deeply benefit not only his province but also the entire country.”
“Mr. Speaker, today there is good news for the many companies around the country that are working so hard to stay in business in the middle of this trade war. Whether it is steel or whether it is lumber, we have their backs. Today, we are going to talk more about what else we can do, not only to make sure that we protect these companies but to help them grow their footprint, to sell their product to Canada and around the world. These guys cannot get their heads out of the sand for the sake of the companies right now who need our support. We will do that work.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to meet with youth from across the country about the investments we are making in budget 2025: $1.5 billion for youth skills and training. However, there is a very specific program. I met with some members of youth from that member's riding, who talked about their excitement and enthusiasm about seeing the youth climate corps in this budget. Youth are worried about the climate, and now they have something to look forward to: participating in a program that allows them to use their skills and get paid for them.”
“Mr. Speaker, since this Prime Minister took office, that is exactly what he has done. In fact, we stood up for Canadian companies and workers all across this country. In just a few minutes, the Prime Minister will do it again. He will stand up for Canadian companies, lumber companies, steel companies and their hard-working union members, who are fighting so hard to protect the economy of their regions. Why do the Conservatives not get on board and fight for Canadian families instead of for themselves?”
“Mr. Speaker, instead of the members opposite focusing on fake taxes, they should support things that actually put a few extra bucks in the pockets of hard-working Canadians. As a former single mother and a person who lived paycheque to paycheque for most of my life, I can tell the House that what helps parents, what helps families, is having money in their pockets. When we index things such as the Canada child benefit to inflation, that puts money in the pockets of Canadians. They can then use it to buy the things they need. It is pretty simple, but it is really hard for these Conservatives to understand.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us talk about something other than imaginary taxes, shall we? While the Conservatives hammer away on taxes that are not real, we are actually helping Canadians with the cost of living. Every year, for example, the Canada child benefit and old age security are indexed to inflation, and what happens every year? Every year, these Conservatives vote against the increases that actually help Canadians keep up with the price of living. Finally, let me quote the food professor Sylvain Charlebois. He said, “Every year, when we write ‘Canada's Food Price Report’, climate change is the number one [wild card] factor.””
“Mr. Speaker, Canada's Building Trades Unions, the Canadian Labour Congress and LiUNA are all unions that have praised budget 2025. Do members know why? It is because it makes historic investments in the major infrastructure projects that are going to create great jobs all across this country. Whether it is on supporting Canadians through things like the Canada child benefit, indexing it to inflation; by creating jobs; or by helping people get the skills to do them, the Conservatives vote against Canadians every single time. Canadians know better.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think the steelworkers would be pretty disappointed if they knew that this Conservative member of Parliament keeps fighting against the very measures the government is putting in place to save our steel sector. I was at Algoma Steel just a few months ago, working with that company and its workers to make sure the company has liquidity so that it can find new markets, protect those jobs and ensure its workers are trained and attached to the workforce. These are concepts that the Conservatives cannot even understand, because they keep voting against the very people who sent them here.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is pretty rich for the member opposite to say that he cares about people like Denise, workers who are benefiting from work-sharing, which is supporting the very auto employers he speaks about to retain a skilled workforce. Guess what. The Conservatives voted against Denise. They voted against Canadians who are benefiting not only from the measures in budget 2025 but also from measures we have put into place since the attack on our economy. Let me be clear: We will be with workers like Denise. The Conservatives are voting against them every day.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is why I am so proud to be a Liberal. Liberals believe in helping each other. We believe that, when a single mom is having a tough time, we should be there for her. We believe that, when a family is down on their luck, we should have an employment insurance program that helps people out when they lose their jobs. We believe that, when people cannot access dental care, sometimes for up to 20 years and are living in pain, we should do something about that as a country. That is what Canadians believe. It is why we are known for our universal health care system. We care about each other.”
“Mr. Speaker, what the member opposite fails to acknowledge is that she voted against every measure that helps single mothers right now, every single day. Whether it is fees reduced for early learning and child care, access to dental care for children who do not have dental care benefits or fighting against school food, these Conservatives stand up to say they feel the pain of moms, especially single moms, but when push comes to shove, they vote against them time and again.”
“Mr. Speaker, just the other day, the member for Bowmanville—Oshawa North suggested that hungry children should go without because parents should be able to afford to feed their kids. Well, I have a news flash: Single mothers, just like I was in my day, need all the help they can get, and that is what we do for moms every single day in the House.”
“Mr. Speaker, maybe the member did not read the article where Canada research chair Ms. Lesley Frank said that the Canada child benefit should be increased, which, by the way, it is every year because it is pegged to inflation, and where the experts said that formula should be produced in Canada. In this budget, we have money for innovation in agriculture. How does that member think that Canada will be able to do anything if she votes against Canadians' interests time and time again?”
“Mr. Speaker, nobody should have to feel the fear that Cassandra feels, but I will note what Cassandra also said. She said she could hardly wait until the Canada child benefit arrived on the 20th of each month because it helped her feed her baby, as she lived on Ontario disability. The member voted against the Canada child benefit. She voted against school food. She voted against the very people she has the temerity to stand up and quote in this House.”
“Mr. Speaker, unlike the members opposite, Canadians know that we need to invest in ourselves, and that is exactly why they have supported this government and why they support this budget. From Canada's Building Trades Unions to the YMCA to Food Banks Canada, a variety of different stakeholders have advocated for the programs and approach in this budget. People are happy. They are happy with a government that has ambition on their behalf. We are not going to stop, because we are creating the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
“Mr. Speaker, do members know what helps families? Good-paying jobs do. That is why we have had such a tremendous response to this budget, including from Canada’s Building Trades Unions, which has said it is grateful to all parliamentarians who supported the federal budget and acted in the best interests of Canadians. I guess that does not include the Conservatives, who voted against the very Canadians they say they stand up for.”
“Mr. Speaker, this budget is a game changer for families across the country, whether it is the school nutrition program, which I know the Conservatives like to talk down, that is feeding hungry mouths in my riding of Thunder Bay—Superior North and all across the country, or our early learning and child care program that is reducing fees. Listen to this: “ELCC has taken a huge mental and financial load off our family, particularly during these times.” That is from a parent. We cannot beat that.”
“Mr. Speaker, I guess the member was not listening to the parent from Andrew Fleck Children's Services who said that their family has been able to have healthier meals at home and start saving for post-secondary education. Another mother, from the same child care service, said that she would have had to quit her job and become a stay-at-home mom, and her family would not have been able to afford child care at previous prices. Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Hon. Patty Hajdu: Mr. Speaker, I know that they do not really like seeing women in the workforce, but the mom talks about— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, last week we came to an agreement with Ontario to continue our work on affordable child care in that province, and all across the country families are saving money. Do not take it from me; listen to a parent from Andrew Fleck Children's Services, who said that their family has been able to have healthier meals at home and to start saving for post-secondary education. Another parent said that her family was able to buy a house because of the child care fee reduction, which has made a monumental difference in their lives. If the Conservatives want to help families, why do they not vote for our budget?”
“Mr. Speaker, this historic budget aims to invest not only in infrastructure that is typically covered solely by provinces, but also in health infrastructure in small communities like Kenora, where communities are waiting for those investments so they, too, can have the kind of promise Canadians in larger municipalities have. Let me be clear. In Nipigon, Ontario, where I visited a school food program, they are so excited that the program will become permanent. On this side, we know children need food to thrive. We hope the Conservatives do not vote against hungry kids.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am the member of Parliament for a region that has many small communities. I can tell the House that those small communities all across northern Ontario are looking forward to the investments this budget would make in small and rural community infrastructure and projects like the Crawford mine, just outside of Timmins, which is going to create thousands of jobs. These northern Ontario Canadians know they have so much to offer, and they are imploring the members opposite to vote for them in this evening's vote.”
“Mr. Speaker, what Canadians want is a government that will invest in their futures and invest in their possibilities. That is exactly what we have been doing. Some 67,000 new jobs were added this month. For two months in a row, we are seeing unemployment go down. What is great about this is that youth unemployment is going down. The investments we are making are working. This is a budget for young people, seniors and families. The Conservatives are going to vote against things like dental care and child care. That is what families need, and that is exactly what this budget delivers.”
“Mr. Speaker, the very-often-quoted Sylvain Charlebois had exactly this to say about budget 2025: our investments and logistics and corridors and trade will bring prices down for food. The food professor went on to say, making the national school food program permanent will “make a difference where it counts.” Making that program permanent is exactly what the food professor has called for.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not have time for the kinds of antics the Conservative Party performs every single day. What Canadians want is investment in their families, investment in their children and investment in the infrastructure in small communities all across this country, including in my riding, that is going to make life affordable and build up the kind of infrastructure that allows for us to get ahead. Lots of Conservatives feel that way in my riding. They told me so, and they have donated.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a former single mother myself, the kind of thing single mothers and families are looking for is affordability. That is in this budget. Whether it is a middle-class tax cut for 22 million Canadians; protecting $10-a-day child care, which by the way is a game-changer for women, especially single mothers; making the school food program permanent; or investing in building trades, these are the kinds of infrastructure investments that will lead to good-paying jobs. We are here for young people and Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, here is what we are going to do. We are going to stand up for Canadians every single day. We are going to invest in their futures. We are going to invest in the jobs that Canadians are talking about that they want to take up. This is a time when Canadians have pulled together to build Canada strong, and that is exactly what our budget is going to do. We are going to make sure the tools are there for every Canadian who is protecting this country. I hope these guys get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is imaginary tax after imaginary tax. Conservatives had the chance to stand up for families, whether to vote for a school food program, whether to vote for tax cuts for Canadians or whether to vote for the skills trade training that provides those great-paying jobs. I sure hope they are not going to vote against personal support workers' tax credits, but that is what it is looking like. They are lining up to vote against the things Canadians need. They are driving for a Christmas election. It is so obvious. When are Conservatives going to stand with Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, what else happened since 2015 is that 400,000 children have been lifted out of poverty through the Canada child benefit. This year, 22 million Canadians will receive a tax credit. We are working with Canadians on the things they have told us are a priority. This is why Canadians trust the Liberal government. This is why they deeply distrust the Conservative Party of Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, what Canadians expect of us is to invest in them, to invest in their families, to invest in the futures of their children. That is exactly what the budget will do. It will make sure we are creating not only the jobs of today but also the jobs of tomorrow, and we are ensuring that young people have the skills to get those jobs in partnership with unions, with the Canadian Building Trades, to make sure everybody has a fair chance. This is what Canadians expect, and that is why they trust us.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have noticed that the Conservatives have stopped quoting the report from Food Banks Canada. Do members know why? It is because in that report, what Food Banks Canada said is that there are some promising signs from the federal government, with things like the Canada disability payment, done for the very first time, something those guys voted against; the Canadian dental care plan, which is bringing down the cost of dental care for Canadians; the national school food program; and the national housing strategy, which is focused on market rent housing. That is what they are prepared to throw away—”
“Mr. Speaker, this morning, I had the privilege of meeting with Minister Barb Ramsay of the Conservative government in Prince Edward Island. Do members know what Minister Ramsay and I talked about? It was how pleased people were that we made the national school food program permanent. In fact, they have been able to drive down hunger through the national school food program, and they are so happy to have a federal partner working with them so that kids can eat and have dignity, no matter who they are and no matter where they go to school.”
“Mr. Speaker, what young Canadians want is a great job. That is why we are making investments not only in the things they need, like good jobs, housing and major projects, but also in the skills training they need for picking up those jobs. Canada's Building Trades Unions does a fantastic job of training young apprentices. That is why in our budget we will propose $75 million more for Canada's Building Trades Unions and other unions around the country to train our youth who want to do the work. They want to be part of this transformation.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am really grateful for the question, because the government is taking a number of steps, and has been taking steps for a number of years, to make sure that Canadians can actually feed their family. For example, the Canada child benefit has lifted 400,000 children out of poverty. There are the indexed-to-inflation benefits for seniors. We have done work on employment insurance to make sure that employees who lose their job can actually keep that money while they are on claim. The government will stand with workers, we will stand with families, and I sure hope the member opposite will vote for a budget that is—”
“Mr. Speaker, all across Ontario, families are benefiting from spending $16 a day for child care, which is down from $70 a day. This is phenomenal, and it is adding thousands of dollars into the pockets of Canadians every single month. That is the power of investing in families. That is the power of investing in children. That is why Canadians trust us to have their backs, and they know that these guys would cut everything they rely on in a heartbeat.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Leader of the Opposition is driving for a Christmas election. He would rather do that than stand up for the moms and dads across this country who are looking for affordable child care, who want us to make the school food program permanent and who want us to invest in women's safety, shelters, homes and wraparound housing. That is what Canadians want. They want things that are going to help their families and their communities, and these guys are threatening to take it all away.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us hear from another person in Canada who is doing really important work as well. That is Kirstin Beardsley, the CEO of Food Banks Canada. She said that with proper long-term investment and improved access, these kinds of initiatives are “showing early promise for greater adoption and expansion”. She also said that we should make the school food program permanent, we should help the lowest-income worker and we should increase access to affordable housing. That's all in our budget. We have been talking about what is coming. We hope these guys will get on board and stop standing in the way of Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, either the member opposite, the leader of the Conservative Party , wants a Christmas election, or he wants to deny what is in that actual report, which says to take action to make the programs that are making Canadians' lives more affordable stronger, permanent and more generous, and that is what we have done. That is what we are doing, and we are going to continue to do it. In fact, what the CEO has said is that we are on the right track. We have to continue to move forward, and we really hope the Conservatives do not vote against these things again.”
“Mr. Speaker, I just heard the Leader of the Opposition say that the CEO of Food Banks Canada does not know what she is talking about, when she wrote the report the Conservatives are quoting from. It is really hard to follow, is it not? It is clear the member opposite is driving for a Christmas election. I really hope that is not true, because Canadians are counting on us to pass this budget, to make the school food program permanent and to increase benefits that Canadians are working so hard for, including the announcement yesterday for personal support workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, someone recently said, “Early signs of progress—including easing housing pressures and new social supports—offer hope.” In fact, this person went on to say, “ambitious poverty-reduction strategies, affordable housing pilots...the Canadian Dental Care Plan and the National School Food Program...are showing early promise”. Guess who said that. It was the CEO of Food Banks Canada.”