Mississauga-Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez has been named Chief Government Whip by new Prime Minister Mark Carney, a key appointment announced Friday as he unveiled his cabinet following his swearing-in as Canada’s 24th prime minister at Rideau Hall. Valdez, previously the minister of small business under Justin Trudeau, steps into the role with a trailblazing legacy—she was the first Filipina-Canadian cabinet member when appointed in July 2023 and the first Filipina-Canadian MP when elected in 2021.
In an unusual move, the Prime Minister’s Office lists Valdez as a full cabinet member, despite the Chief Government Whip position traditionally falling outside that rank unless paired with a ministerial title. As whip, she’ll ensure Liberal MPs are present for votes, assign committee roles, and manage parliamentary logistics—crucial tasks as Carney braces for a turbulent session amid U.S. trade tensions and a looming election.
Valdez’s rise is a story of firsts. Elected in 2021 with a decisive win in Mississauga’s Liberal sweep, the former banker and entrepreneur became the second Filipino-Canadian in the House of Commons, following Winnipeg’s Rey Pagtakhan (1988–2004). Her 2022 “Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World” award cemented her global profile, one of four Canadian women honored as trailblazers. Locally, her shift from small business advocate to whip has sparked pride in Mississauga’s Filipino community, with social media abuzz about her growing influence.
Carney, flanked by nearly two dozen ministers, framed his cabinet as a team “built for immediate action.” “We’re focused on protecting workers, supporting families, and growing Canada,” he said. “This experienced group is united to deliver faster results in a critical moment.” Valdez joins a mix of Trudeau-era veterans and new faces, including Mississauga’s Kamal Khera (now health minister), in a cabinet poised to tackle affordability, security, and a promised carbon tax overhaul.