Helena Jaczek

Helena Jaczek (born November 5, 1950) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She is a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who was elected in the 2007 provincial election. She represents the riding of Oak Ridges—Markham. She is a cabinet minister in the government of Kathleen Wynne.

Jaczek was born and raised in England and immigrated to Canada in 1963. She received her medical degree and Masters of Health Science from the University of Toronto and later went on to pursue a Masters of Business Administration from York University. She worked as a family physician in Toronto for 11 years and then served as chief medical officer of health in York Region for 18 years. Dr. Jaczek has 2 adult children and she lives in York Region with her partner.

She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Local Public Health Agencies by receiving an award “In Celebration of Women”. In 2005 Jaczek received an Award for Environmental Planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners. In October 2016, Dr. Jaczek received the Ontario Psychological Association Public Service Award. Earlier in 2016, she received the Ontario Medical Association, Life Membership Award.

In 2003, Jaczek ran as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Oak Ridges. Issues included tax rates and health care. She lost to incumbent Frank Klees by 2,521 votes. In 2007, Jaczek won the newly formed riding of Oak Ridges—Markham by 7,013 votes beating Conservative candidate Phil Bannon and New Democrat Janice Hagan. Population growth was the main issue in the campaign as the riding of Oak Ridges-Markham was the most populous in the province as of the 2006 census. She was re-elected in the 2011, and 2014 elections.

Jaczek was appointed as a Parliamentary assistant (PA) to the Minister of Health Promotion on October 30, 2007. On September 11, 2009 she was made PA to the Minister of Environment. In February 2013, Jaczek was appointed as PA to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Jaczek has also served on many Standing and Select Committees, including the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions. As well as previously serving as Caucus Chair.

In 2009, Jaczek proposed a private member's bill, Bill 117 would have prohibited riders under the age of 15 from riding motorcycles. Data presented to the house showed that 46 under-15 aged riders were hospitalized between 2005–06. She said, "The research is alarming." Motorcycle enthusiasts disputed the numbers saying that most of the injuries were from off-road activities such as dirt bikes and motocross. As of 2010, the bill had passed first reading. However, when the legislature was prorogued on March 4, 2010, the bill died on the order paper. According to the clerk of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy the bill was not carried forward.

In March 2012, Jaczek introduced a private member's bill, Bill 40 that proclaims March 26 as Epilepsy Awareness Day. She also introduced a private member's resolution that would investigate ways to encourage organ donations in the province.

On June 24, 2014, she was appointed by Premier Kathleen Wynne as the Minister of Community and Social Services and is currently the Vice Chair of Health, Education and Social Policy Cabinet Committee.

Cabinet posts

Electoral record

v t e Ontario general election, 2011: Oak Ridges—Markham
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%	Expenditures
	Liberal	Helena Jaczek	28,878	44.78	−3.43	$  83,066.00
	Progressive Conservative	Farid Wassef	23,950	37.14	+1.07	146,606.59
	New Democratic	Joe Whitfeld	8,548	13.26	+5.33	11,142.60
	Green	Trifon Haitas	1,569	2.43	−4.01	350.00
	Libertarian	Karl Boelling	1,057	1.64		213.07
	Independent	Ruida Lu	484	0.75		2,766.14
Total valid votes / Expense limit			64,486	100.00	+8.85	$180,834,78
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots			395	0.61	−0.13
Turnout			64,881	42.70	−5.07
Eligible voters			151,959		+21.63
	Liberal hold		Swing		−2.25
Source(s)  "Summary of valid votes cast for each candidate – October 6, 2011 General Election" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2014-05-23.  "Statistical Summary" ( Excel Spreadsheet). Elections Ontario. 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2014-05-23.  "2011 Candidate Campaign Returns - CR-1". Elections Ontario.