Canada’s Small Business Minister Recchie Valdez visited Vancouver for the first time since her election to the House of Commons and appointment to the Trudeau cabinet.
Filipino community leaders welcomed Valdez at the “Pista ng Bayan” event at Robson Square. There, the minister reaffirmed his commitment to being the voice of Filipinos in the Canadian Parliament.
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“You now have a Filipino woman voice in Parliament, not only as an MP but now in the Cabinet,” Valdez said. “That’s why I’m really proud to be the voice of almost a million Filipinos across the country.”
Among those who came to meet Valdez is April Moran, the owner of Bayong Canada. Moran said she has long wanted to meet with the minister to discuss the challenges facing small businesses like hers.
“Right now the challenge for me is inflation,” Moran said. “We don’t know how to limit prices. How can we solve this problem?”
Valdez, who owned a small business herself before she was elected, said the government will do everything it can to help struggling business owners.
However, she gave no details about what kind of aid the government is considering.
Valdez added: “We have already launched several programs to support small businesses and I will continue to expand on our current activities, but there are certainly more to come.”
The Fil Canadian Minister also visited various booths of Filipino companies participating in the Pista ng Bayan.
UFCABC, the group that organized the event, provided grants to participating small business owners so they could set up their booths.
“She wants to hear from everyone. She tried to actually talk to the different business owners to learn more about their issues,” said Advisory Board member Cliff Belgica. “Hopefully that brings her back to Ottawa.”
Valdez also met with community leaders who discussed with her some of the issues many immigrants are currently facing.
“Our government will continue to be there, working with the various levels of government to provide support to all Canadians,” she added.
Canada, Ottawa, Vancouver, British Columbia, Entrepreneurship, Small Business, Filipino Canadian, Rechie Valdez, TFC News
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