2025 Mississauga Federal Election Candidate Profile -Rechie Valdez, Liberal candidate for Mississauga-Streetsville

With the upcoming 2025 Federal election happening on April 28th, Modern Mississauga Media has reached out to all Mississauga candidates inviting them to answer the same questions so voters can become more familiar with them.

Candidate answers are unedited and their contact information is at the bottom.

Click here to read all of the Mississauga candidate profiles and check back often as responses will be posted within 72 hours of receipt.

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1. What are your top 3 campaign priorities and why?

As someone who’s worn many hats—banker, small business owner, mom, and now Minister—my priorities are rooted in the real, day-to-day challenges that Mississauga families face. That’s why my top three campaign priorities are: making life more affordable, tackling crime, and building more homes.

First, we’re helping families make ends meet. As part of Mark Carney’s team, we’ve already cancelled the consumer carbon tax on day one because helping families save on gas, groceries, and heating bills matters. We’re delivering real savings through our National School Food Program, which is providing healthy meals to 160,000 Ontario kids, saving parents about $800 a year. Over 54,000 seniors and children in Mississauga are now getting the dental care they need through our Canadian Dental Care Plan. We’re also investing $120 million into MiWay to improve routes, cut wait times, and make transit more efficient.

Second, we’re serious about stopping crime. I’ve heard from so many in our community—parents, seniors, and business owners—who are worried about gun violence, car thefts, and break-ins. Everyone deserves to feel safe, whether they’re walking to school, opening their business, or enjoying a day at the park. That’s why we’re taking action with a national plan rooted in three principles: preventing crime before it starts, disrupting it when it happens, and holding offenders accountable. We’re tightening bail laws for repeat violent offenders, investing in new border technology to stop illegal guns, and hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers and 1,000 new RCMP personnel. We’re also expanding forensic lab capacity and enforcing stricter gun licensing laws to give police the tools they need to solve crimes.

But crime prevention also means supporting our communities. Through programs like the Building Safer Communities Fund, we’ve delivered over $7.3 million to Peel Region and $121 million to Ontario for youth outreach, mental health supports, and stronger local policing. We’re also stepping up protections against online child exploitation, hate crimes, and gender-based violence.

Finally, we are building more homes—faster. Through our Housing Accelerator Fund, we’re building over 35,000 new homes in Mississauga—and we’re just getting started. Under Mark Carney, we’ll eliminate the GST for first-time homebuyers purchasing homes under $1 million—saving them up to $50,000. We’re making it possible for young families and new Canadians to put down roots right here in Mississauga.

2. How do you plan to actively involve and include residents in community decisions?

The most important part of this job is listening. I’ve built my entire career—whether in banking, small business, or government—on meeting people where they are and truly hearing their stories.

When I started my baking business, I was juggling hockey practices, late nights, and a full-time job. It was my neighbours, my community, and my family who gave me the courage to go all in on my passion. That is why I believe so deeply in building trust through genuine connection.

Throughout this campaign, I have been putting that belief into action by hosting town halls on the issues that matter most to you. Just this week, I welcomed Minister of National Defence Bill Blair to Mississauga Streetsville for a public conversation on crime and community safety. Residents shared their concerns about car thefts, gun violence, and break-ins, and we discussed real solutions, including tightening bail laws, investing in local law enforcement, and preventing crime before it starts.

As your Member of Parliament, I will continue to show up. I will host regular town halls, community roundtables, and open office hours. I will keep visiting schools, places of worship, businesses, and community centers because I believe politics should come to the people, not the other way around.

And I will make sure your voices turn into action by publishing updates, reporting back on community input, and advocating fiercely for your priorities at every level of government.

3. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

What sets me apart is that I am not a career politician—and neither is Mark Carney. I built a career in the real world. I spent 15 years in corporate banking, helping families and businesses manage their finances and plan for the future. Then I took a leap of faith. I left a secure career to turn a small passion project—baking my daughter’s first birthday cake—into a full-time small business.

That decision was not easy. I know what it’s like to spend late nights juggling a day job, a side hustle, and the responsibilities of raising a family. I know the pressures of taking risks to pursue a dream. And I know the sacrifice it takes just to make ends meet. That experience shaped me, and it is why I believe so strongly that every person in Mississauga–Streetsville should have the opportunity to do the same.

After years of hard work, I made the decision to give back to the community that supported me. That is what brought me into public service. And as Canada’s Minister of Small Business, I have been able to turn my lived experience into real action—delivering support that reflects the challenges entrepreneurs face.

I know what small business owners need because I have been in their shoes. That is why I stood up to credit card companies and helped secure a deal that cuts interchange fees by up to 27 percent—savings that matter on every single transaction. And it is why I championed programs like the Canada Digital Adoption Program, which has already helped over 60,000 businesses modernize, expand their reach, and stay competitive.

Whether it’s women entrepreneurs, young innovators, or newcomers starting fresh in Canada, I believe that everyone deserves a fair shot. And I have worked every day to make sure they have the tools, funding, and support they need to succeed.

I am proud to bring that real-world perspective to government. I am proud to work with a leader like Mark Carney, who also comes from outside politics and understands the importance of building an economy that works for everyone.

I am not in this to climb a ladder or tick the next box on my political resume. I am in this to make life better for families like mine and communities like ours.