Thunder Bay - Superior North MP Patty Hajdu along with Thunder Bay - Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski announce $61 million in funding for broadband internet access in Northern Ontario on March 6th 2023 (Adam Riley / Acadia Broadcasting)

Northwestern Ontario’s sole cabinet minister will remain in her role following a shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday, which revealed who he wants on the front lines in the House of Commons.

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says her file is built on establishing relationships which during a meeting with the Prime Minister, he informed her of his confidence in her abilities to continue in the post.

“He feels that I’m doing a very good job in this role, and I’m very please he feels comfortable that I can continue in this capacity.”

Hajdu has served in the Trudeau cabinet since first being elected in 2015.

Starting as the Minister of Status of Women, before being shuffled in 2017 into the Employment, Workforce Development and Labour portfolio and following the 2019 election became the Minister of Health just prior to the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But there were some changes she will be adapting to and is excited for, including a new ministerial partner, Gary Anandasangaree, who replaces Marc Miller as the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

“He has a huge background in human rights law and he is going to do a fantastic job. He also has well established relationships of his own with many Indigenous partners.”

Hajdu will also continue in her role as the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor).

The shuffle came following the announcements of several cabinet ministers that they would not be running in the next federal election.