Her promotion this week to serve as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minister of small business marked a breakthrough for Filipino-Canadians, a community that has raised concerns about what it calls its under-representation in governmen
TORONTO — Rechie Valdez, who made history this week when she became the first Filipino-Canadian woman named to the federal cabinet, took an unusual path to high political office, transitioning from banking to baking to Parliament.
"It's a very proud moment," she said, noting that her husband and two children were in the audience and that her family in Mississauga, Ont., was watching on television. "I became a self-taught baker. I started off baking. I told my friends, I'm like, 'Hey, so I make cupcakes now. Would you like to try?'" she said.
She has also hosted a show on Filipino TV which shared stories of entrepreneurs and artists. She worked with basketball associations and raised funds for children’s charities across Canada."Being a small business entrepreneur in Canada, you learn what it takes to have a vision, to work hard at that vision and to grow your business from the ground up," she said.
Gonzales said there are systemic barriers in Canadian politics that make it difficult for racialized people, including the Filipino-Canadian community, to reach elected office. Gonzales, who ran for a city council seat in Toronto's municipal election last year, said people considering running for office have to consider making financial sacrifices and the personal toll taken by the increasing levels of toxicity in Canadian politics."There are so few elected Filipino leaders in Canada despite our rapidly growing population," he said.
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