Fil-Can Rechie Valdez wins seat as member of Canada’s Parliament

Rechie Valdez has reached a milestone, becoming the first Filipina-Canadian to be elected as Member of Parliament in Canada, after winning the Ontario riding of Mississauga-Streetsville.

During her victory speech posted online by OMNI News: Filipino Edition, Valdez, who was seen wearing a red Filipiniana, turned emotional as she expressed her gratitude to those who supported her, describing her win as, “This is a ‘we’ moment. We did this together.”

“Today, we have made history and her-story as you helped elect the first-ever Filipina in parliament,” she said, continuing, “I’m looking forward to reaching out and working with all the communities, all of you in here, too, and the residents of Mississauga-Streetsville. Thank you for believing in me.”

Valdez is also the second Filipino-Canadian to be elected as Member of Parliament, following Dr. Rey Pagtakhan who served from 1988 to 2004.

It was in 1989 when Valdez moved from Zambia to Mississauga where she reached many milestones, including the establishment of her first business, Chietopia Bakery.

In an Instagram video last August, Valdez said she hopes to build a better future for the young and future generations.

“So whether it’s protecting our environment and fighting climate change, investing in women entrepreneurs and advancing pay-equity legislation, continuing to invest in health care, or supporting first-time home buyers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, and through all the many life stages that you may be going through, I will be an advocate for positive change and a voice for this diverse, multicultural community,” she said.

The Canadian federal election was held last Monday, September 20.