Rechie Valdez: First Filipino Woman in Canadian Cabinet

Filipino-Canadian Rechie Valdez has become the first Filipino woman to join the Canadian Cabinet, taking the role of Minister of Small Business. On July 26, she was officially sworn in, incorporating her heritage by saying “Mabuhay” before taking the oath, even wearing a barong tagalog on the Cabinet’s official website.

This isn’t the first time Rechie Valdez has made history in Canadian politics. In 2021, she became the first Filipino woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). Before entering politics, Valdez owned a small baking business and co-founded a Filipino fusion line of pastries. She’s also hosted a TV show called “Fearlessly Creative,” which featured entrepreneurs and creators.

Valdez’s political campaign focused on fighting climate change, supporting women entrepreneurs, addressing the gender pay gap, healthcare investment, and assisting first-time home buyers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Rechie Valdez won under the Liberal Party banner, ending a 17-year absence of Filipino representation in the Canadian House of Commons.

As an MP, Valdez was involved in committees related to veterans’ affairs, agriculture, and more. She also sponsored a bill for a national women’s entrepreneurship day, and co-seconded bills for a national indigenous teachers’ day and a national framework on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Re-reported from the article originally published in Rappler.com