My name is Lilian Barrera, and I am running for Member of Parliament with the Green Party to help make Canada a better place.

I was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and immigrated to Canada in 1998 when I was four years old. Growing up as a middle-class, mixed-race immigrant gave me a unique perspective on social and racial issues in Canada. In school, I developed a strong passion for geopolitics, history, language, art, and even advanced mathematics, physics, and chemistry. At just 15 years old, solving the world’s energy crisis was already at the top of my mind, with wave power capturing my attention.

I later attended the University of Ottawa, where I pursued a double major in Communications and Visual Arts in French Immersion. I chose this path because I believe miscommunication is at the root of most interpersonal conflicts worldwide.

While in Ottawa, I worked in four different government departments and became disillusioned by the inefficiencies of bureaucracy, which slowed progress and wasted taxpayers’ money. I vowed to one day help improve these issues.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude, I set out to broaden my horizons as an au pair and later as a Marketing Manager in Munich, Germany. While living there, I fell in love with Germany—its robust public health system, efficient public transit, and well-maintained infrastructure inspired me. I aspired to bring that same level of excellence back to Canada.

I returned to Canada in October 2020 to become an active participant in the democratic process and to work in the film industry. Due to the pandemic, I took on various odd jobs to make ends meet. I have worked as a nanny, server, tutor, dog walker, background actor, production assistant, and sales associate. These experiences allowed me to connect with people in need of systemic change, reinforcing my commitment to fight for a better future.

I value excellence, and I push myself—as well as others—to become the best versions of ourselves. I know Canada can do better, and as an MP, I aim to achieve the following:

– Raise the federal minimum wage
– Make post-secondary education free
– Break up monopolies
– Divest from fossil fuels, especially in the CPP
– Build public housing, similar to post-WWII efforts
– Subsidize green/renewable energy companies
– Tax corporations and the 1% at a higher rate
– Modernize infrastructure to prepare for climate disasters

Honesty, Integrity, and Passion define who I am. I will use all my abilities to bring about real change.