Helena Jaczek
- Born
- England
- Education
- Medical degree and Masters of Health Science from the University of Toronto; Masters of Business Administration from York University
- Career
- General practice physician at Women's College Hospital in Toronto; chief medical officer of health in York Region for 18 years
- Political Experience
- Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2007 to 2018 representing Oak Ridges—Markham; Minister of Community and Social Services from 2014 until 2018; Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in 2018; elected as the Member of Parliament for Markham—Stouffville in 2019 and 2021
- Notable
- Emigrated to Canada in 1963 at age 12
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, Helena Jaczek had a long career in medicine and public health. She worked as a physician and later served for nearly two decades as the Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Health Services for the Regional Municipality of York in Ontario. This role involved overseeing the public health department for one of Canada's largest municipalities.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a member of the federal cabinet, Helena Jaczek served under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She held senior roles including Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, placing her within the Prime Minister's inner circle of government decision-makers.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2023, the federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner released a report concluding that Helena Jaczek had contravened the Conflict of Interest Act. The investigation found that she sponsored two private member's bills that were substantially similar to proposals written by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The Commissioner determined that by sponsoring these bills, she used her position as an MP to improperly further the private interests of the organization, with which she had a history of involvement.
Public Controversies
A significant public controversy involving Helena Jaczek arose from an investigation by the federal Ethics Commissioner. In a report made public in 2023, the Commissioner found she broke conflict of interest rules. The report stated she used her position to advance the interests of the MS Society of Canada by sponsoring two bills closely resembling proposals from the organization. The Commissioner noted that while she did not personally benefit, her actions improperly furthered the group's private interests. The finding received national media attention.
Where Helena falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Helena Jaczek won with 31,658 votes (51.4%)
Total votes cast: 61,644
How does Helena Jaczek's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important work of the National Lung Health Alliance, which brings together physicians, researchers and patient advocates to support and strengthen lung health in Canada. All Canadians are directly or indirectly impacted by lung health issues, and we all stand behind efforts to improve patient outcomes. Made up of the Lung Health Foundation, Lung Cancer
Thank you so much, Chair. For the committee, could you please explain, Ms. Godard, the difference between a stop sale and a recall, and why a recall, in this particular instance, is important to protect the safety of Canadians?
Do I have time?
I'm not sure if this is your area of expertise, but with regard to food in grocery stores, I believe it is quite possible that if a product is found to be contaminated, public health can go in and actually, physically, recall the product. I see Ms. Godard nodding to that. Thank you. Now, about labelling, if Health Canada identifies a serious new risk that requires an urgent warning on the
We've heard quite a bit about excessive red tape. In our first session on Monday, Ms. Kramchynsky from Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada said that she was involved in your consultation regarding reducing red tape. I think that's a worthy goal. Could you describe a little bit more exactly what's happening with that process and who you're involving, stakeholders, etc.?
C-224 Under Bill, what happens if the company refuses to make that change voluntarily?
Mr. Speaker, this summer, Markham—Stouffville lost one of its best-known residents, and our country has lost an extraordinary Canadian. Radio CJCS For more than six decades, Lloyd Robertson was a trusted and reassuring voice through moments that shaped our nation. His career began in 1952 onin his hometown of Stratford, Ontario. He would go on to become one of Canada's best-known and most highly
My first question is for Dr. Faisal. During the course of this morning, we've heard a number of witnesses saying there is a relatively low risk with natural health products. However, you've given us the example of turmeric, where overingestion can be harmful. Both you and Ms. McVey have alluded to potential serious risks. Should the consumer not be warned, through a mechanism such as labelling,
Thank you. If the federal government can order the recall of unsafe food or consumer products, is there any reason it should not have the same authority to recall an unsafe natural health product?
Ms. Kramchynsky, you've alluded to the fact that Health Canada is working with your association, and no doubt other stakeholders as well, in terms of reducing the amount of red tape. Obviously, some of this has been alluded to by Ms. Parmar and so on. Do you feel confident that there is real progress being made in this regard?
Mr. Chen alluded to the safety of water. Water is very carefully monitored, certainly in Ontario. It is monitored at source for water quality, given the tragedy at Walkerton many years ago, where a number of people became very ill. In Ontario, even surface water at beaches is regulated and obviously should not exceed 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres. I wanted to make sure that Mr. Chen was aware