Rechie Valdez Makes History as First Filipino Woman MP in Canada

Volume 3, Issue No. 5

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

 Our latest as of Wednesday, September 22, 2021 

~ Filipinos in Canada just turn a new page in history upon the election on Monday, September 20, 2021, of Rechie Valdez, a former corporate banker, and creative entrepreneur as a Member of Parliament. The Liberal Party stalwart ends nearly two decades of political deficiency in minority representation in Canada's House of Commons. The last time a Filipino had a seat there was in 2004.

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MP RECHIE VALDEZ

First Filipino Woman to Win Seat in Parliament

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

TORONTO -  "I am ready to be your voice for positive change in government".

That declaration resonated well with voters and thrust the declarant, Rechie Valdez, erstwhile corporate banker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, into the world of mainstream politics.

On Monday, September 20, 2021, Ms. Valdez was elected to the House of Commons representing the Toronto suburb of Mississauga-Streetsville and thus becoming the first Filipino woman Member of Parliament in Canada.

Born in South Africa to Filipino parents, MP Valdez stands to be the voice of the heavily diverse riding - one of the most affluent in Ontario province - where 13 languages, including Tagalog, are spoken, and where White and South Asian are predominant.

"I am determined to use my skills and abilities to make a real difference for the city of Mississauga," says the mother of two in her Linked In profile.

(Watch my interview with Rechie Valdez and friend at the Mabuhay Festival at Nathan Phillips Square in August 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_8DFPz9pw).

MP Valdez fills in a vacuum in minority or Filipino representation in the 338-member House of Commons, which is the lower chamber in the bicameral Parliament of Canada.

The Liberal Party where she belongs holds 158 seats, 12 seats short for its leader Justin Trudeau to form a majority government. Its rivals are - the Conservative Party, which won 119 seats; Bloc Quebecois, 34; New Democratic Party, 25; and Green Party, 2.

It's been 17 years since the first Filipino occupied a seat in Parliament. That distinction belongs to Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, now age 86, who served from 1988 to 2004 representing the Winnipeg North-St. Paul constituency in Manitoba province. (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved).