Rechie Valdez

Rechie Aileen Valdez (née Salazar, born September 17, 1980)[1][2] is a Canadian entrepreneur, television personality, and politician, serving as the Minister of Small Business since 2023. She was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 2021 federal election representing Mississauga—Streetsville as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. She is the first Filipino Canadian woman, and second Filipino Canadian after former Manitoba Liberal MP Rey Pagtakhan, to be elected as a Member of Parliament in Canada.

The Honourable
Rechie Valdez
PC MP
Valdez in 2021
Minister of Small Business
Assumed office
July 26, 2023
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byMary Ng
Member of Parliament
for Mississauga—Streetsville
Assumed office
September 20, 2021
Preceded byGagan Sikand
Personal details
Born
Rechie Aileen Salazar[1]

(1980-09-17) September 17, 1980
Kitwe, Zambia
NationalityCanadian
Political partyLiberal
Residence(s)Mississauga, Ontario

Early life

Valdez was born Rechie Aileen Salazar on September 17, 1980 to overseas Filipino workers Zosimo Jr. and Normita Salazar in Kitwe, Zambia. The family eventually migrated to Canada in 1989, residing in the Erin Mills neighborhood of Mississauga, Ontario together with her brother.

Valdez went to St. Joseph Secondary School and Holy Name of Mary College School where she graduated in 1993; and completed a computer science degree at the University of Windsor in 2003.[1]

Career

Valdez spent a few years in the financial sector before venturing into business. She owned a baking business, had competed in The Big Bake on Food Network Canada, and hosted and produced a television show Fearlessly Creative on Filipino TV.[2]

Personal life

She is married to Christopher Valdez and has two children.[3][4] Outside politics, Valdez plays basketball as a hobby, where she once held a basketball fundraising activity for Montreal Children's Hospital and SickKids in Toronto.[2]

Election results
2021 Canadian federal election: Mississauga—Streetsville
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalRechie Valdez23,69847.3-3.1$57,311.79
ConservativeJasveen Rattan17,13134.2+1.1$62,172.94
New DemocraticFarina Hassan6,18612.3+2.0$3,193.29
People'sGurdeep Wolosz1,8513.7+2.5$2,365.54
GreenChris Hill1,0482.1-2.5$298.25
Animal ProtectionNatalie Spizzirri2100.4±0.0$2,470.94
Total valid votes/expense limit 50,12499.3–$115,206.97
Total rejected ballots 3330.7
Turnout 50,45758.7
Eligible voters 85,976
Liberal hold Swing -2.1
Source: Elections Canada[5]

References
  1. Cabana, Ysh (January 25, 2024). "Rechie Valdez". Canadian Encyclopedia.
  2. Aiello, Rachel (October 19, 2021). "'I feel a great responsibility': Meet Liberal Rechie Valdez, Canada's first Filipina MP". CTV News. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  3. "Rechie Valdez makes history as first Filipino woman elected Member of Parliament in Canada". The Georgia Straight. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  4. "Liberal Rechie Valdez wins Mississauga-Streetsville". Toronto Star. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  5. "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
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