MPP Oak Ridges-Markham
Parliamentary Assistant to the Environment

Born in England and came to Canada at age 12, Dr. Helena Jaczek was honoured to be elected to the Ontario Legislature in October 2007 as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Oak Ridges-Markham. Dr Jaczek served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Promotion, and was recently made the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment. Her background in environmental planning will be beneficial to the Ministry of Environment as in 2005 Dr. Jaczek received an Award for Environmental Planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners. Currently, Dr. Jaczek sits on the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions and is also the Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on General Government.

As an active member of the community Dr. Helena Jaczek, has served on many boards and committees including the Greening Greater Toronto Task Force, the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation, and the York Centre for Children, Youth and Families Capital Campaign Cabinet. Recognizing the high levels of education, talent and experience that immigrants bring to our province, Dr. Helena Jaczek volunteered with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council where she mentored foreign trained professionals to help facilitate their transition into life in Ontario. Dr. Jaczek was awarded the “Outstanding Alumni Mentor Award in 2007” from the University of Toronto’s Public Health Sciences Alumni Association.

Dr. Jaczek 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. Practicing medicine for 11 years at the Etobicoke Medical Centre and Women’s College Hospital in Toronto is what gave Helena the drive to couple her knowledge of medicine with her passion for public service. Serving as Medical Officer of Health and the Commissioner of Health Services for York Region for well over 18 years Dr. Jaczek’s accomplishments did not go unrecognized. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Local Public Health Agencies and honoured for her Medical Leadership in York Region by receiving an award “In Celebration of Women”.

 Currently Dr. Jaczek has been involved with a number of provincial initiatives including an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act which sought to prohibit the driving and operation of motorcycles with child passengers. Dr. Jaczek’s enthusiasm and insight into health care has lead her to advocate for an Act to proclaim February 14 in each year as Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Day and June 24 in each year as St. John’s Ambulance Day. At this time, Dr. Jaczek is looking to the provincial government to build upon the success of The Green Energy Act and focus its attention on both water conservation and treatment technologies as the benefits for Ontario are abundant; environmentally, socially, and economically