Valerie Bradford MP is a Canadian politician who was elected to represent the riding of Kitchener South—Hespeler in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2021 Canadian federal election.[1] She is a member of the Liberal Party.

Valerie Bradford
Member of Parliament
for Kitchener South—Hespeler
Assumed office
September 20, 2021
Preceded byMarwan Tabbara
Personal details
Born (1953-07-22) July 22, 1953 (age 70)
NationalityCanadian
Political partyLiberal
ChildrenBrad Bradford
Residences
OccupationPolitician

Education edit

Bradford received a Diploma in Travel and Tourism from Humber College before completing a certification in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo and completing the Ontario Management Development, Supervisory Studies program at Mohawk College.[2]

Background edit

Bradford began her career as a volunteer Producer and on-air personality for TV Hamilton, Cable 14. She then worked as an Imperial Service Financial Advisor and Small Business Advisor at CIBC until 2005.[2]

Prior to her election, Bradford was an economic development professional. While serving as a Business Development Officer for the City of Kitchener from 2005 until 2020, Bradford was also the Chair of the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin from 2016 to 2020.[2]

Federal politics edit

Succeeding Marwan Tabbara, who did not seek re-election, Bradford was elected in 2021 representing the riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler.

44th Parliament edit

Bradford sits on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Standing Committee on Science and Research, and the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Science and Research.[3]

Bradford is also the Director of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association as well as the member of numerous parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups.[3]

Bradford has emphasized disability support, affordability and the labour crisis as key areas of focus and concern for her constituency.[4]

Notably, Bradford jointly seconded Bill C-224, the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act, designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting with the goal of improving access to prevention and treatment for firefighters. The Bill is currently in its report stage.[5]

Bradford also jointly seconded motion M-44, Permanent Residency for Temporary Foreign Workers aimed at creating a comprehensive plan to expand the economic immigration stream to allow more workers of all skill levels to meet the criteria for permanent residency in Canada. With amendments, the motion was agreed to in May of 2022.[6]

Personal life edit

Bradford grew up on a dairy farm in Dunnville, Ontario.[7] In 1971, she was a finalist at the Ontario Dairy Princess competition.[8]

Bradford raised three children as a single mother. Her children are Allison, Ian, and Toronto city councillor Brad Bradford.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Liberal Valerie Bradford elected in Kitchener South-Hespeler". CBC News. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Bradford, Valerie (February 15, 2023). "Valerie Bradford". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Valerie Bradford - Member of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  4. ^ Bueckert, Kate (August 26, 2022). "Disability supports, workforce challenges top issues for MP Valerie Bradford". CBC News. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "C-224 (44-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  6. ^ "M-44 Permanent residency for temporary foreign workers 44th Parliament, 1st Session - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  7. ^ Steve Paikin (2022-02-02). "How this city councillor convinced his mother to enter politics, too". TVO. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  8. ^ "Dufferin girl is Ont. Dairy Princess". North Bay Nugget. September 4, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  9. ^ Kopun, Francine (2018-11-30). "Brad Bradford heads to Toronto city council seeking 'a better way to do it'". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2021-12-11.

External links edit