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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Patty Hajdu

Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North 88 statements translated

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Hajdu, the jobs and families minister, defends programs she credits with lowering costs for families, like child care at an average of $19 a day in Ontario, and pushes northern Ontario projects such as the Ring of Fire. She answers questions by turning the focus back on the opposition’s voting record, asking, “Why does she keep voting against the very people... asking for a hand up?”Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
C
64 / 100 over 71 statements
Signal 69 / 100
Relevance 47 / 100
Respect 98 / 100
Clarity 86 / 100
Loses points more than most for Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.2.3 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.3 Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.1.7 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.7 A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.1.5 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.5 Loses points less than most for A remark off to the side of the point.Less often than most members.What the tags mean A story that illustrates instead of making a point.Less often than most members.What the tags mean Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.Less often than most members.What the tags mean Averaged over the 71 of 88 statements graded so far.

Statements 88

Oral Questions ·

Employment

In response to a question from Jessica Fancy

“Our summer jobs program hired over 100,000 students this year. It gives young people work experience and money for school, and it helps employers find workers.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank that member for her hard work representing her constituency, which I have had the honour of visiting. In fact, many programs in her riding, and indeed across Canada, hire students for the summer through the Canada summer jobs program, over 100,000 students this summer. This provides young people an opportunity, quality work experience that they can add to their résumés and some earnings that they can use for their education. It also provides employers a source of new talent, something that many rural communities know is needed.

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Oral Questions ·

Labour

In response to a question from Jonathan Rowe

“The Prime Minister will not step into these talks. Employers and unions must work together, and our mediators will help them reach a deal.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 70 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “something this member ought to know”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think the president of the Crown corporation might be a bit surprised if the Prime Minister showed up to negotiate this collective agreement. Instead, we will do what we have done for centuries. We will let employers work with employees. We will provide them with the support through the federal mediation service so they can negotiate this collective agreement, and we will help make sure they get that over the finish line. That is how labour negotiations are done in this country, with respect for employers and for unions, something this member ought to know.

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In response to a question from Jonathan Rowe

“The government does not make this deal. The employer and the union must make it together. Our mediators are helping them, and we urge both sides to keep talking.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, first, let me be clear, it is not the Prime Minister or the Government of Canada that is going to make a deal. In fact, it is the employer and the union. That is how labour relations work in this country. We do have a federal mediation service. Federal mediation service is with the parties. We urge the parties to continue to negotiate for a fair collective agreement. We will be there with all of the support necessary to get that agreement in place.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Seniors

In response to a question from Chak Au

“The Conservatives say they support seniors, but they voted against giving them more money through pensions.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 42 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “The Conservatives voted against all those measures.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 25.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, maybe that member of Parliament wants to look at the voting record of his party. In fact, the Conservatives have fought against seniors. They have fought against increases to OAS, and they have fought against increases to GIS, very important supplements to seniors’ income. Every step of the way, as we have given seniors the support and the dignity they need, the Conservatives have voted against those measures. It is shameful to hear them get up in this House and talk about supporting seniors when they could very easily lend their hand to the work.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Melissa Lantsman

“It would be a bad idea to cut the support programs our government created for Canadians. Canadians want to help each other when times are hard, not take help away.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if the member would like to talk about people who are fighting against Canadians and talk about disastrous policies, a disastrous policy would be pulling out the safety nets that this government has worked hard to put there for Canadians. When Canadians are struggling, do members know what they do not wonder in bed? They do not wonder what they can take away from their friends and neighbours. Instead, they ask, “How do we stand up for each other? How do we help people? How do we make sure—”

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In response to a question from Melissa Lantsman

“Feeding hungry kids is not a bad policy. Families in my riding need this help.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if the member calls feeding hungry kids a disastrous policy, I would like to introduce the member to some parents and some kids in my riding in the town of Marathon. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Oral Questions ·

Seniors

In response to a question from Kelly DeRidder

“The member keeps voting against spending that helps with housing and homelessness, like 3 billion dollars for Ontario. If she wants to help people, she should stop voting against what they need.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that was yet another question from a member of Parliament who continually votes against the very things that would help with housing and homelessness, things like the investment in Ontario of $3 billion through the national housing strategy. The member voted against those things. If the member really wants to help people who are suffering from housing scarcity, what she should do is stop voting against the things they need.

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Oral Questions ·

Employment

In response to a question from Jessica Fancy

“We are working with the mining industry to train workers with the skills the industry needs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 39 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “That is how we build Canada strong.”

    Said 20 times by 14 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her hard work and her advocacy to bring the mining industry together to ensure we have the skills that we need for today and for tomorrow. Yes, this alliance is launched with great fanfare from the industry, which is praising the Government of Canada for taking action to make sure that the skills that are taught are aligned with what the industry needs. This is how we build Canada strong.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Eric Duncan

“Our government helps Canadians by cutting taxes, lowering child care costs, and supporting people who lose their jobs. Conservatives vote against these things, and they should stop.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 34 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives fail to recognize that when times are tough, what Canadians really want is a government that will stand up for them. In fact, that is exactly what we have done time and again, by cutting taxes for 22 million people, by making sure that people can have access to quality child care for a fraction of the price, by making sure people can access training programs and by making sure the social safety nets are there for when people are facing job loss. These are all things, by the way, that Conservatives vote against. If they really want to help Canadians, why do they not stop voting against them?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Emma Harrison

“Canada added 88,000 new jobs in May, and we have 100,000 jobs for summer students this year. We must stay focused on jobs for Canadians.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 37 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, may I start with what a joy it has been to have that hard-working member of Parliament join our benches. Her experience in agriculture and farming is such an asset to the government. Here is a number that, I suspect, is not going to make it into the clips that the Conservatives usually use to rage farm across this country. In fact, 88,000 net new jobs were announced in May and there are 100,000 jobs for summer students this year. It is really important that we stay focused on what Canadians expect us to stay focused on, which is their opportunities in the workforce.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

In response to a question from Garnett Genuis

“Our economy created 99,000 new jobs for young people. The opposition keeps saying the economy is failing, but we are creating jobs for everyone.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 40 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I will pass by the obvious material in that question to focus on what is important, which is jobs, and jobs for youth. That member has spoken many times about the importance of creating good jobs for youth, and in fact 99,000 new jobs for youth is something to celebrate. In fact, Benjamin Reitzes from the BMO said that the solid May jobs report should silence the people who are talking down the Canadian economy. He said this “should silence the recession crowd.” I guess he is speaking about the member opposite. While those guys are running down Canadian opportunities, we are focused on creating jobs for everyone.

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Oral Questions ·

Persons with Disabilities

In response to a question from Sameer Zuberi

“We made it easier for people with 43 different disabilities to apply for a tax credit. More kinds of medical workers can now sign the forms. We are working to make Canada fully accessible by 2040.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, inclusivity is not just the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do. When people have a chance to thrive, our entire country grows. In our economic update, we announced 43 disabilities that would be eligible for a streamlined disability tax credit application. We have also expanded the list of practitioners who can certify people for the credit. The disability inclusion action plan and the Accessible Canada Act will continue to guide our government’s work toward a barrier-free Canada by 2040.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The Conservatives keep voting against our programs that help people, such as updated employment insurance.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what I find to be a joke is that, when the government steps up, not only to lay the foundation of prosperity for the future but also to protect people like Zahra by putting into place things like modernized employment insurance, which the Conservatives routinely laugh about, they vote against those measures, time and—

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The Conservatives voted against our programs that help people when they lose their jobs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 26 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, do the Conservatives know what is not a joke? It is when someone loses their job and there is nothing there to catch them, yet if the Conservative members had their way, that is exactly what would have been facing Zahra. They voted against the very measures that we put in place to protect people like Zahra— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Oral Questions ·

Employment

In response to a question from Brad Vis

“The member's numbers are wrong. Businesses are using fewer temporary foreign workers now and are hiring Canadians instead. We made it much harder for employers to hire foreign workers in areas where many Canadians need jobs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that member’s numbers are quite incorrect. In fact, temporary foreign worker use has declined, so much so that the large corporations that many of his colleagues continue to advocate for are actually now focused entirely on Canadian talent. That is the way it should be, and that is why we have taken these actions. It is much harder for employers to hire temporary foreign workers in regions with high unemployment rates and in regions where people are looking for work. In fact, this work is what we are doing despite the advocacy of many of that person’s colleagues. Maybe they can get their messaging clearer.

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In response to a question from Brad Redekopp

“The foreign worker program has three rules. First, Canadians get the first chance at jobs. Second, bosses must treat foreign workers fairly, and we inspect them to be sure. Third, businesses that cannot find local workers can hire from abroad to stay open.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the temporary foreign worker program is administered with three principles. First of all, the program makes sure that any Canadian who wants that job comes first. Second of all, it makes sure that employers that are eligible for temporary foreign workers treat those workers with respect and honour and follow those rules. We have inspectors to make sure that happens. The third principle is to make sure that employers in areas where very tight employment exists can access workers to keep their businesses alive, which is something that many of that member’s colleagues have written to me to expand.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Canadians want to build big projects like wind power, mines, and ports. The Conservatives keep criticizing these opportunities. We support Canadian workers, and we are building these things together.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 29 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 33 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, do members know what Canadians are excited about? Canadians are excited about building up this country, building Canada strong. Whether it is things like a new NORAD base, a new wind project, mining projects in my neck of the woods in northern Ontario, new ports, or new opportunities for people to participate in the skilled trades, the Conservatives talk down every opportunity Canadians have. Canadian workers are tired of being undermined in the House. They know we have their back. They know we are building big, and they are going to do it with us.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The national food bank report says our programs are helping lower the cost of living. These programs include cheaper child care, dental care, and money for groceries. The Conservatives voted against all of them.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yet again I think the Leader of the Opposition should read the entire report, because although people are of course struggling, in fact, what the national food bank said was that it is seeing some reasons for optimism because of the very things they have called for, like automatic tax filing, the introduction of the groceries and essentials benefits, expanded dental care and investments in child care, things they know are positive and bringing down the cost of living for Canadians. I will point out that the Conservatives voted against all those measures.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Our government protects workers when times are tough, but the opposition always votes against it. We recently gave $6 billion to help skilled trades workers and apprentices finish their training and get good jobs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 35 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in fact, when the global winds of uncertainty were blowing, what did this government do? We took immediate action to put things into place to protect workers if their jobs were threatened, if their economies were threatened or if their sector was threatened. Every time we take action to protect workers, these guys vote against it. Just recently, $6 billion to skilled trades workers, including apprentices in the pipeline right now, to help make sure they can complete their training and get those fantastic-paying jobs. These guys are ignoring the—

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Oral Questions ·

Labour

In response to a question from Garnett Genuis

“The labour minister must step in during labour disputes to keep things moving. We sent this dispute to the labour board so Canadians can keep getting vital medical supplies and organs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 15 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 68 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “the member, having never been a minister, would not understand”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the member opposite does not have compassion for the Canadians around the country who count on essential medical products and, yes indeed, medical organs that are delivered every single day around this country, not just from within our own borders but across international borders as well. During a labour dispute, the minister of labour has the responsibility of working with the parties and, when an impasse has been arrived at, fostering industrial peace. Sometimes we use tools to refer these disputes to the CIRB. Of course, the member, having never been a minister, would not understand or feel the pressure to make sure that Canadians have what they need in these sensitive times.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D View analysis