Welcome and opening remarks: The Honourable Patty Hajdu  

The Honourable Patty Hajdu was first elected as Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North in 2015. Since then, she has held several senior cabinet roles, including Minister of Status of Women, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Minister of Health, and Minister of Indigenous Services. She is currently serving as Minister for Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

Highlights of her ministerial work include launching the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; establishing a National Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence; creating legislation to protect federal workers from harassment and violence in the workplace; modernizing the Federal Labour Code; establishing pay equity legislation for federal workers; leading Canada's efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic; and supporting Indigenous Peoples of Canada as they work to heal their communities from the impacts of colonialism. She has also led efforts to ensure an independent and well-funded Federal Economic Development Agency for Norther Ontario, and championed the success of many regional projects through federal funding approvals, including housing, arts and culture, and major infrastructure.