Patty Hajdu, former minister of Indigenous services under Justin Trudeau, has been appointed as the minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly announced cabinet.
The appointment came Tuesday as Carney unveiled his first ministerial team since taking office, with a mandate focused on strengthening Canada’s economy and improving U.S. relations.
“Canada’s new Ministry is built to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve. Everyone is expected and empowered to show leadership – to bring new ideas, a clear focus, and decisive action to their work,” said Carney in a statement announcing the appointments.
Hajdu, who represents the riding of Thunder Bay—Superior North, brings significant ministerial experience to her new role, having previously served in several cabinet positions since first being elected to Parliament in 2015.
Career in public service
Prior to entering politics, Hajdu worked as the executive director at Shelter House, Thunder Bay’s largest homeless shelter. Her earlier career focused on harm prevention, homelessness, and substance misuse prevention, including nine years heading the drug awareness committee of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
After her election in 2015, Hajdu was appointed minister of status of women in Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet. In this role, she convened an advisory council in July 2016 to help develop Canada’s strategy against gender-based violence.
She was sworn in as minister of employment, workforce development and labour on January 10, 2017. In 2018, alongside Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef and Treasury Board President Scott Brison, Hajdu introduced pay equity legislation for federally regulated workplaces.
Following the 2019 federal election, Hajdu was appointed minister of health, overseeing Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2021, Hajdu was shuffled to the position of minister of Indigenous services, a role she held until the recent change in government.
Education and personal background
Born in Montreal on November 3, 1966, Hajdu spent her early years in Chisholm, Minnesota, raised by her aunt and uncle. At age 12, she moved to Thunder Bay to live with her mother, but due to a tumultuous relationship, ended up living independently at age 16 while finishing high school.
Hajdu is a graduate of Lakehead University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. In 2015, she received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria.
She is the mother of two adult sons.
New cabinet priorities
The new cabinet has been tasked with defining a new economic and security relationship with the United States, building a stronger economy, reducing the cost of living, and keeping communities safe.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the new government will focus on catalyzing investment and building a new Canadian economy “that creates higher-paying careers, raises incomes, and can withstand future shocks.”
Cabinet appointments
Other key appointments in Carney’s cabinet include:
- François-Philippe Champagne as minister of finance and national revenue
- Anita Anand as minister of foreign affairs
- Sean Fraser as minister of justice and attorney general
- Chrystia Freeland as minister of transport and internal trade
- Mandy Gull-Masty as minister of Indigenous services
- Dominic LeBlanc as president of the King’s Privy Council and minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade
See the full list at https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/05/13/prime-minister-announces-new-ministry
