On April 29th, past midnight, Filipino Canadian Member of Parliament Rechie Valdez addressed her supporters during an election watch party in her riding of Mississauga-Streetsville. Valdez celebrated her victory in a closely contested election, where she faced Conservative candidate Sue McFadden. Valdez expressed her gratitude, stating, "Thank you so much to Mississauga-Streetsville for putting your trust in me again as your member of parliament. Truly an honour to serve you." This marks Valdez's second term in Ottawa, and she was the only candidate of Filipino descent to win in an election that saw nine such candidates vying for parliamentary seats.
Despite Filipinos being the third-largest immigrant group in Canada, political representation remains limited. Only two individuals of Philippine descent have won seats in the Canadian House of Commons throughout history. In Toronto, York Centre is home to an area known as Little Manila, with over 18,000 Filipinos residing there, according to the 2021 census. Yet, this riding has never seen Filipino representation in Parliament.
Walking tour guide Yshmael Cabana emphasized the importance of political engagement. He noted that the low registration of Filipino Canadians as voters and their unfamiliarity with Canadian party politics contribute to the community's lack of representation. The 2020 by-election in York Centre saw Filipino Conservative candidate Julius Tiangson lose narrowly to Liberal candidate Ya'ara Saks, garnering nearly 42% of the votes against Saks's 45%.
Saks highlighted the significance of representing the Filipino community, stating, "I knew by running and representing that they were going to be a key part of my work here in representing York Centre." However, she lost her seat to Conservative candidate Roman Baber in the recent April 28 vote. Baber pledged to address crucial issues such as recognizing foreign credentials, with many Filipinos advocating for this change both in and out of his riding.
Community members expressed that increased representation in Parliament would lead to a better understanding of issues affecting Filipinos in Canada. Cabana pointed out that having a Filipino advocate would help elevate the community's profile both in Canada and the Philippines, encouraging future Filipino candidates to engage in politics.
In recent federal elections, several Filipino candidates faced long-standing incumbents. For instance, in Quebec, Conservative candidate Margie Ramos challenged Liberal incumbent Melanie Joly, who has served as Canada's foreign affairs minister since 2021. Similarly, Rachel Punzalan ran against Liberal Kevin Lamoureux in Manitoba, while Lita Cabal contested Vancouver East against NDP incumbent Jenny Kwan.
Rey Pagtakhan, the first Filipino MP, believes it's possible to win against incumbents, reflecting on his own unexpected victory in 1988 against a long-serving NDP incumbent. He acknowledges various reasons for the lack of Filipino representation, including fear of running for office and a historical focus on workforce support over high executive roles.
Jon Reyes, Manitoba's first Canadian-born Filipino member of the legislative assembly, stressed the importance of civic engagement through volunteering and supporting candidates to encourage participation in politics. Valdez noted significant community support during her campaign, including attendees from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and as far as British Columbia.
For Filipinos to successfully win seats in Parliament, Pagtakhan emphasizes the need for candidates to demonstrate a record of community achievement. He suggests that successful candidates who understand the political process and have a history of service can gain voters' trust. Reyes further highlighted the significance of teamwork, a strong campaign message, and the ability to address community needs effectively.
However, Filipino MPs still face challenges once elected. Pagtakhan recounted experiences of discrimination, highlighting a former MP's inappropriate comments about his Canadian identity. Valdez reflected on her own experiences facing skepticism and being treated differently due to her background, stating, "I continue to get ID’d on Parliament Hill." This underlines the ongoing challenges faced by minority representatives in politics.
Reyes insists that more elected officials of Filipino descent are essential for continued representation. Pagtakhan concurred, asserting that civic engagement and unwavering ethical standards are crucial for building trust within the community. Valdez emphasized the need to maintain consistent representation, recalling the 17-year gap between her term and Pagtakhan's, stating, "We can no longer have those gaps."
