About Alexandra
Alexandra Mendes obtained a degree in political science and a degree in management. She took this training, coupled it with a deep-seated passion for public service and put it to work for an NGO at the municipal, provincial, national and international levels. She worked in communications and research both in the non-profit and the private sectors. She has experience at the riding level as president of the federal Liberal riding association of Brossard – La Prairie and helped elect the Hon. Jacques Saada in two of his campaigns; she has been elected as an MP for the same riding. From these wide ranging experiences, Alexandra has developed an impressive skill set that is matched with a passion for democratic engagement with all members at all levels of our Party.
In her own words
Travelling around Canada and listening to so many Liberals has made three things evident. First, in all corners of this country I hear passion for our Party, pride in its accomplishments and deep attachment to its values. Second, I hear that our renewal will come from the ground up, ensuring that each and every riding has the support it needs, the rapid action/response it deserves and the resources to succeed. Third, there is a deep commitment in the membership to changing the Liberal culture. I've heard countless complaints about past party infighting—infighting that has almost become all we are known for, a phenomenon the media has taken great pains to amplify and exaggerate. The image Canadians have of the Liberal Party is that we can’t work together. Which begs the question: how can we possibly get our act together to govern Canada, in the best interest of all Canadians, if we can’t seem to be able to manage ourselves?
What I bring
- “Team-work” is my middle name but I prefer to be called Alexandra ☺.
- I became executive director of the Maison Internationale de la Rive-Sud (NGO – settlement agency, Brossard) when it went into receivership and helped steer it back to financial stability. It took tenacity and know-how. I have proven that I have both.
- The conviction that I would be elected to translate the aspirations of the members, to reflect consensus arising from the convention, to lead the democratic processes of our Party and to ensure smooth communication with the Leader and Caucus;
- The clear understanding that the Leader is the face, voice and final authority of the Party, not the president.
My strengths
- I am fully bilingual.
- I am a Canadian from Quebec, born in Portugal;
- I am a fierce federalist.
- I grew in the Party: I was a member before joining the executive of the riding association, I was president of the association before becoming a candidate, I was a riding assistant before I became an MP, which only came about after I challenged the election results (2008)
- I know how to win a seat and I know what it will take to earn it again.