President-elect Rod Morrison had little trouble introducing our guest speaker today the Honourable Patti Hajdu, MP: Federal Minister of Employment, Workplace and Labour. She was formerly the Minister of Status of Women. Of course she represents the people of Thunder Bay Superior North. She is pictured with Rod (right) and President Warren Philp (left). After reviewing her positive relationship with PA Rotary (including Rotary Shelterhouse), she spoke eloquently about her personal passion as a government minister and the government's role in "building up this region (Thunder Bay district)." Why is she in government? To work for equity, inclusion, a strong economy and general prosperity. She doesn't teach the community; rather the community feeds back to her the pressing needs and she goes to work securing programming and of course funding. She readily acknowledges many challenges in the area of social housing, labour shortages and youth engagement. She provided a healthy list of accomplishments in this regard with mention and detail on: the LU and Con College learning/tech centres; the Thunder Bay Art Gallery; Youth inclusion funding (post coroner's inquest); the Canada Child Benefit program; subsidized housing funding (a longstanding interest) and more. The club is honoured to have Patti come and address the club. Her current and upcoming calendar is very busy indeed. Our thanks to the Minister.
