Rechie Valdez
Rechie Aileen Valdez is a Canadian politician who has been Minister for Women and Gender Equality, and Secretary of State since 2025. She was previously Minister of Small Business from 2023 to 2025 and Chief Government Whip in 2025. A member of the Liberal Party, Valdez was elected as the member of Parliament for Mississauga—Streetsville in the 2021 federal election. She is the first Filipino Canadian woman to serve as a Cabinet minister and MP.
Early life, education and work
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 neighbourhood 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.Career
Valdez spent 15 years in corporate banking, 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.Political career
Valdez was elected to Parliament in the 2021 federal election. She was named Minister of Small Business in 2023 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.In 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney named her Chief Government Whip from March to May. Valdez won re-election in her riding of Mississauga-Streetsville in the 2025 Canadian federal election and was appointed as Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State in the 45th Canadian Parliament.
She is the first woman of Filipino heritage to be elected as an MP and serve as a Cabinet minister.