MANITOUWADGE -- Thursday’s rain and fog couldn’t keep MP Patty Hajdu from reaching Manitouwadge, her first stop on her three-town tour.
Hajdu spent the first hour of her visit at Best Friends Bakery, where the townsfolk were invited to come and our Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North. In her role as the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Patty has a keen interest in the Canada Summer Jobs program, which provides financial incentives to employers, including municipalities, to hire students to perform meaningful work. The students get a chance to learn new skills, develop good habits and work ethics, and earn a decent wage before heading back to school in the fall.
After lunch, Hajdu and her assistant, Jacqueline, met with some of the 14 students hired by the Township of Manitouwadge through the CSJ program, first at the hospital and later at the golf course café. Despite the distraction of a Sand Hill crane and her brood squawking from the green, the students listened attentively as Hajdu described her own career path and explained to them how important it is to be flexible in their own plans. She spoke optimistically about the opportunities that are available to everyone and the importance of learning something from every job they take on, be it a skill, such as how to assemble a piece of machinery, or health and safety issues, or about their rights as employees. She stressed that a more inclusive country benefits everyone, and that everyone should have a fair shot at success.
After leaving Manitouwadge, hajdu and Jacqueline headed to Marathon to visit the Group of Seven Lake Superior Trail, but because of the inclement weather, had to forgo the hike. The rain couldn’t stop them from attending the Wing night at the Marathon Legion, however.
Friday morning, Patty will travel to Terrace Bay, where she will meet up with folks for coffee at the Michael King Hall at 10 a.m., the Terrace Bay Beach Pavilion at 11 a.m., and will be in attendance for the 75th Anniversary celebration’s opening ceremonies.
If you missed your opportunity to meet Ms Hajdu but would like to learn more about her and her position in Canada’s Federal Government, you can visit her website at https://pm.gc.ca/en/cabinet/honourable-patty-hajdu
We wish her safe and happy travels!
