Latest news with #RechieValdez
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rechie Valdez makes history with cabinet position: 'People aren't used to someone who looks like me'
Many of us who watched Prime Minister Mark Carney's swearing-in ceremony on the morning of May 13 most likely noticed that when Rechie Valdez took the oath as Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Small Business (WAGE), she was overcome with emotion. 'It was a profound moment for me,' Valdez tells Yahoo! via Zoom from her office in Ottawa. Valdez became the first Filipino-Canadian woman elected to Parliament and cabinet minister. 'My husband and children were in the room, but more than that, my parents were watching from Mississauga,' she says. 'They had uprooted their lives twice: from the Philippines to Zambia, and then later from Zambia to Canada. They made incredible sacrifices to give my brother and me a better life — so during the swearing-in, all of the memories of that sacrifice just came rushing back.' The Prime Minister personally approached Valdez to take on the responsibility. 'When he contacted me and asked me if I would take on the role, I was profoundly taken aback and in tears. I was also jumping for joy,' she says, throwing her arms in the air to demonstrate her internal reaction at the time. 'But I calmly said, 'Thank you for the opportunity, Prime Minister,'' she adds, laughing. The department of WAGE was previously aligned with Youth under Marci Ien, until she resigned on March 7. Then, after Carney was sworn in on March 14 (after former Justin Trudeau stepped down), the department was downgraded under the ministry of Canadian Heritage helmed by Stephen Guilbeaut. Many women's right activists, including former minister Marci Ien herself, were taken aback at the Carney government's initial decision to cut the ministry and called the move a significant setback for women. Weeks before the April 28 election, there was a lot of lobbying and back channel movement going on behind the scenes to bring the ministry back if the Liberals won the election — something Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre likely wouldn't have done had he won. But all of that is in the past, and Valdez is focused on the future. This time, instead of being aligned with Youth, Small Business has been added to the file — something that fits Valdez, previously the minister of Small Business — really well. 'I think this alignment of WAGE to Small Business is a profound opportunity because, while it's a very social portfolio in that it advocates for women and gender-diverse people, it also creates empowerment for these people through our economy,' she says. Valdez, who says she faced many challenges in her own experience as a visible minority woman entering the workforce as a corporate banker, and later, as an entrepreneur. 'The journey was difficult and I know what it feels like,' she says. With the new ministry, Valdez wants to make it her mandate to help women and gender-diverse people see their power and true potential. That's why the economic slant is especially vital in our times, she says. 'What we're seeing down south with the rollback of DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion], it's very scary and worrisome to us,' Valdez emphasizes. 'Women are afraid, and 2SLGBTQ+ people are afraid because we've made so much progress in our country. You simply cannot be the strongest economy in the G7 without the inclusion of women and gender-diverse people,' she says, adding dryly: 'We only make up half the population.' Being the former Minister of Small Business also gives her a unique perspective. 'I think our women entrepreneurship strategy, for example, is truly an investment,' she says. 'It can actually even prevent gender-based violence because it's empowering. Meeting with many women entrepreneurs across the country, and seeing the impact they have within their community will have a ripple effect.' Valdez is excited about working across the different provincial and territorial governments, and bringing inclusivity to rural and remote communities. 'As we roll these programs out, it does go down to that individual woman and gender-diverse person; that entrepreneur on the ground. That's my number one job as the communicator of the things we're doing at the federal level.' Valdez, was at one time, that entrepreneur on the ground herself. Long before the 45-year-old got into politics, she worked for the financial sector. 'I had never had dreams nor had ever envisioned myself as a politician,' she says. What changed for Valdez was when her daughter, Cassidy, turned a year old. 'That's when I made her first birthday cake,' she remembers. 'I'll never forget it because I felt like I had found a creative passion.' She turned the passion into a small business. 'It was an incredible journey building my business from the ground up for the world to see,' she says. 'It was a way to find my voice.' What Valdez learned at that time is something she brings with her in her role as minister of WAGE. 'The thing about being a sole proprietor entrepreneur is that if you work on an island, you're setting yourself up to fail.' She realized there was strength in collaboration and reached out via social media, creating events and opportunities for other entrepreneurs. 'I saw the value of bringing community together.' She sees her new role as an extension of that. 'It allows me to advocate for the larger community and be the voice for the voiceless,' she says. What makes Valdez a unique voice is that there hasn't been a Filipino voice in federal politics for 17 years. 'Being the only Filipino out of almost a million Filipinos in the country, and being that voice to stand up for the things that matter to me is so important to me,' she says. As someone who has experienced both racism and sexism on a daily basis at times, Valdez feels she is in the best position to understand the plight of those afflicted by the same. 'It's not something that happens just once in a while,' she says. 'I definitely experienced both, especially online. Whether it's hate, misogyny, being a person of colour, and even just being a person on the hill every day, it can be a challenge because people aren't used to someone who looks like me,' she explains. 'I would be stopped and ID'd on a regular basis even though I'm a federal minister — that's pretty telling.' That's why representation is so important, she says. 'It's about facing those challenges head on.' Whether it's hate, misogyny, being a person of colour, and even just being a person on the hill every day, it can be a challenge. When it comes to women and gender equality, Valdez believes we have come a long way, but that we also have a long way to go. 'I was recently at a conference that had to do with trades,' she says. 'I was pleasantly surprised when one of the members of the trade groups came up to me and said he was excited about WAGE. He said he's seen the impact women are making in trades and the support they're getting from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), like the Canada Child Benefit, and others. They've seen the impact for women who choose trades as a future career. These are the opportunities in a place I would never expect, and that's the impact of WAGE.' Valdez's main priorities for the department will be gender-based violence and advancing economic justice for women and gender-diverse people. 'We can't just stop at crisis response — we really need that structural change,' she asserts. 'We also want to ensure that Canada leads in this space. Gender equality isn't just a social issue, it's imperative to our economy and to the sustainability of our country. Marci Ien handed me a beautiful baton, but there is still much more work to do.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
'Rediscover Canada': Ottawa unveils 'Strong Pass' for free park, museum entry; aims to boost tourism
File photo In a major push to promote domestic tourism, the federal government on Monday unveiled the "Canada Strong Pass", a new program that offers Canadians free entry to national parks and museums, along with significant travel discounts throughout the summer season. The initiative, which begins June 20 and runs until September 2, also includes free VIA Rail travel for children aged 17 and under when accompanied by an adult, aiming to make family trips more affordable, CTV News reported. 'Our Canada Strong Pass aims to make it even easier for families to choose Canada – to discover the beauty of our country, connect with nature, and enjoy our culture all summer long,' said Steven Guilbeault, minister of Canadian identity and culture and minister responsible for official languages. 'Whether it's visiting a national park they always wanted to see, exploring a museum, or booking a camping trip, families can create lasting memories together. Canadians are proud of what defines us, and this Pass is about celebrating a strong, united Canada.' The government also highlighted that this tourism-focused plan comes as tensions with the United States remain high. Officials say the pass is designed to encourage Canadians to explore more of their own country and save on travel expenses this summer. Under the Canada Strong Pass: Entry to Parks Canada 's national parks, national historic sites, and marine conservation areas will be free. Camping fees at Parks Canada locations will be discounted by 25 per cent. Children aged 17 and under can access national museums for free, while young adults aged 18 to 24 will receive 50 per cent off. Children can ride VIA Rail for free when travelling with an adult, and young adults can get 25 per cent off their train fare. Select provincial and territorial museums will also offer free admission for children and half-price entry for young adults. No registration or physical pass is required. Visitors can simply arrive at participating sites or see the discounts automatically applied when booking online, such as for camping reservations. Those who have already made summer bookings with VIA Rail or Parks Canada can reach out for applicable refunds. Full details are available on the Government of Canada's website. The Canada Strong Pass was originally introduced as part of the federal election campaign. Rechie Valdez, minister of women and gender equality and secretary of state for small business and tourism, emphasised the potential boost to the local economy. 'Canada's tourism sector is dynamic, innovative and essential to our national economy,' Valdez said. 'The Canada Strong Pass will give a much-needed boost to the tourism industry by encouraging Canadians to rediscover our country, support local businesses and celebrate the communities that make Canada extraordinary.'
CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
N.S. Pride groups applaud federal funding to improve event safety, security
Pride groups in Nova Scotia are applauding recently announced federal funding that organizations can use to help cover safety and security costs for festivals and events. Rechie Valdez, minister of women and gender equality, announced about $1.5 million toward a community safety fund. The initiative has been in place since 2023 and is administered by Fierté Canada Pride, a national organization representing 2SLGBTQ+ Pride groups in Canada. Pictou County Pride's director of community engagement said the funding shows the federal government understands that hate toward 2SLGBTQ+ people is rising. "For many of us we are noticing a lot more safety considerations within the community, especially for trans and gender-diverse folk," said Lucy White. This year, there have been a number of incidents of vandalism in Nova Scotia targeting 2SLGBTQ+ businesses and people. Police-reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in Atlantic Canada have also been on the rise. Small events and festivals are eligible for up to $10,000 from the fund. Groups with an event budget under $2 million can apply for up to $50,000 dollars, while the largest events can receive up to $250,000. The money can be used to cover the cost of things like insurance and working with a security company to develop an emergency response plan. "A lot of the times we talk about rising hate, but we don't talk about the actual financial costs that [Pride groups] are subject to ... to keep their community safe," said Marc Basque, community safety co-ordinator with Fierté Canada Pride. He said a group doesn't have to be a formally registered organization to apply for the funding. Fiona Kerr, the executive director of Halifax Pride, said the fund will be a big help with rising costs. "We don't really introduce new safety measures, but the ones that we currently do pay for seem to go up exponentially every single year," said Kerr. Kerr is glad to see the federal government taking the matter seriously. She said Halifax Pride has increased security capacity in recent years, with that being the main thing the money will help with. Kerr added that it will help pay for increased first-aid presence at events. "The weather, the heat is not getting any better," said Kerr. "That's been a large concern for us on our parade weekend." Pictou County Pride is not a large enough organization to need help from the fund, said White. But, she said, it could be helpful down the line if the group grows. White added that the fund's existence is "really positive."
El Balad
13-06-2025
- Politics
- El Balad
4 طن دقيق مدعم.. حملات مكبرة على المخابز المخالفة بالمحافظات
The federal government is set to announce details of its promised 'Canada Strong Pass' next week and the tourism initiative is expected to take effect later this month. 'Our Canada Strong Pass will make it easier for Canadians to make memories here at home, support Canadian tourism, and show our Canadian pride. This summer, let's choose Canada,' said Rechie Valdez, secretary of state for small business and tourism, in a statement. A Liberal government spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the pass will be available from June 20 until the end of August. During the recent federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to introduce a single pass that would give young people under 18 free seats on Via Rail when travelling with their parents, and free access to Canada's national galleries and museums. The Liberal platform said the party would also introduce 'heavily discounted' access to museums and galleries for Canadians aged 18 to 24. Carney, who pitched the idea as a way to unite Canadians in the face of threats from the U.S., said his government also would reduce prices for camping in national parks for all Canadians from June to August. Carney said during the campaign that Canadians would have free access to national parks and historic sites during the summer. For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. The spokesperson said those promises will all be covered by the 'Canada Strong Pass.' A spokesperson for Via Rail Canada said the national passenger rail service is 'proud' to support the plan as it encourages young Canadians and their families to discover the country. The government spokesperson said details of the initiative will be announced in the coming days. In 2017, Via Rail offered unlimited travel passes for youth during the month of July to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. While the organization said it planned originally to make 1,867 passes available, it extended the offer due to high demand and more than 4,000 Canadians purchased passes. Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault's director of communications said there has been an 'incredible show of unity' from Canadians since the beginning of the year. 'We look forward to delivering on our commitment to the Canada Strong Pass to make it even easier for Canadian families to choose Canada as they plan their summer travels,' Alisson Lévesque said. – With files from Global News' Ari Rabinovitch © 2025 The Canadian Press
Global News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
‘Canada Strong Pass' details coming next week after Carney campaign pledge
The federal government is set to announce details of its promised 'Canada Strong Pass' next week and the tourism initiative is expected to take effect later this month. 'Our Canada Strong Pass will make it easier for Canadians to make memories here at home, support Canadian tourism, and show our Canadian pride. This summer, let's choose Canada,' said Rechie Valdez, secretary of state for small business and tourism, in a statement. A Liberal government spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the pass will be available from June 20 until the end of August. During the recent federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to introduce a single pass that would give young people under 18 free seats on Via Rail when travelling with their parents, and free access to Canada's national galleries and museums. The Liberal platform said the party would also introduce 'heavily discounted' access to museums and galleries for Canadians aged 18 to 24. Story continues below advertisement Carney, who pitched the idea as a way to unite Canadians in the face of threats from the U.S., said his government also would reduce prices for camping in national parks for all Canadians from June to August. 1:57 Manitoba tourism industry expects busy summer Carney said during the campaign that Canadians would have free access to national parks and historic sites during the summer. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The spokesperson said those promises will all be covered by the 'Canada Strong Pass.' A spokesperson for Via Rail Canada said the national passenger rail service is 'proud' to support the plan as it encourages young Canadians and their families to discover the country. The government spokesperson said details of the initiative will be announced in the coming days. In 2017, Via Rail offered unlimited travel passes for youth during the month of July to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. While the organization said it planned originally to make 1,867 passes available, it extended the offer due to high demand and more than 4,000 Canadians purchased passes. Story continues below advertisement Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault's director of communications said there has been an 'incredible show of unity' from Canadians since the beginning of the year. 'We look forward to delivering on our commitment to the Canada Strong Pass to make it even easier for Canadian families to choose Canada as they plan their summer travels,' Alisson Lévesque said. – With files from Global News' Ari Rabinovitch
