Marcela Quinonez grew up in Colombia, and today, she works as a contract manager at Hydro-Québec. Alongside her career, she has been a passionate advocate for social justice, dedicating herself since childhood to initiatives that support vulnerable communities.
Marcela embodies resilience, solidarity, and perseverance. She is living proof that no matter how many obstacles you encounter, it is always possible to keep moving forward – even if it’s just one small step at a time. She shares her journey, her beliefs, and her involvement in CUPE, while shedding light on the challenges she has faced as an immigrant.
Question 1
You grew up in Colombia in a family very involved in social causes. How did your upbringing shape your journey?
In Colombia, my parents instilled in me a deep love for social engagement. We were a middle-class family, but we lived in the countryside where I grew up surrounded by farms. There was a lot of injustice, inequality, and poverty around us. Every year, my parents would save some money, and we would go to the grocery store to buy rice, vegetables, coffee, and even candy for children. We would then distribute these bags of food in the poorest neighborhoods. That act of solidarity had a huge impact on me and gave me a strong desire to help others, especially the most vulnerable.
As I got older, I got involved in various initiatives in Colombia, particularly helping women in rural areas. This desire to help others followed me to Quebec, where I continue to be involved in different ways.
Question 2
You immigrated to Canada 15 years ago. What was your integration like, especially in terms of language and employment?
Integration wasn’t easy. When I arrived in Quebec, I didn’t speak French. I couldn’t even say “hello.” My mother tongue is Spanish, and I spoke English, but French was a whole new challenge. Not everyone had access to French language classes. My first teachers were my kids, who were just 4 and 7 years old. They were learning French in school and had the huge responsibility of teaching it to their mom! It feels like sometimes, our choices as parents make our kids grow up a little bit faster. I also started volunteering to have more opportunities to practice the language — and to help others!
Like many immigrants, I had to start at the bottom. I cleaned toilets and worked in warehouses, having to prove myself despite already having a bachelor’s degree. Now, I work at Hydro-Québec, managing contracts with engineering and architecture firms for our various facilities. I’m proud of my journey, but the obstacles are real for minority women, especially when you don’t speak the language and don’t have a network. It’s hard to break through all those glass ceilings. I was lucky, but not everyone has that same luck.
Question 3
What challenges have you encountered in the workplace? Do you think most immigrants face similar challenges?
As an immigrant, a woman, and a racialized person, I found myself at the intersection of many challenges. I faced discrimination, racism, sexual harassment, and bullying. One of the hardest things is that you often feel alone. When I went through these experiences, I couldn’t find anyone I could trust or talk to, there was no one who looked like me. It felt very heavy.
That’s when I decided to become that person that others can trust. I wanted to be the one who represents women and racialized people, who encourages them to speak up without fear of losing their job or stability.
We need to bring up the reality of immigrants more often within our union. We need to talk about job insecurity, immigration statuses that are often misunderstood, racism, and the importance of being able to express themselves in their native language.
Question 4
Have you witnessed any changes in terms of openness, inclusion, and representation since you arrived?
In Canada, I was often made to feel like I was different. In Colombia, I was like everyone else. When you’re subtly made to feel like you don’t belong here, it creates anger. That anger is legitimate, but it can become harmful if you don’t know how to direct it.
That’s why I encourage union members to turn that anger into a positive force. I often tell them: “Let’s use that anger as a strategic and intelligent tool, to channel it into the right actions.” It’s important to find constructive ways to move things forward, and that’s what I try to do every day, both at work and through my social commitments.
But yes, I do think we’re making progress. I’ve seen improvements in my union and my local: there is more representation of minorities, more women, and a better understanding of issues related to discrimination. Things are moving forward, slowly but steadily.
What I’d like to say to my colleagues working in social justice is that we need to develop our sense of patience. That’s what keeps our hope alive because if everyone loses hope, there will be no one left to defend our rights and freedoms.
Question 5
What motivates you to stay engaged within CUPE, and how important is your work, and the union’s work for immigrants and racialized people?
CUPE plays an essential role. As a member of the National Racial Justice Committee, I’ve seen how important it is to have safe spaces where we can talk openly about racism, discrimination, and sexism. Thanks to my union, I was able to organize workshops for workers from ethnocultural communities at Hydro-Québec. These workshops allow us to discuss the issues that affect us without having to hold back.
CUPE has implemented an anti-racism strategy, which is a big step forward. It’s a very comprehensive document that provides us with guidelines and recommendations. But the strategy is just a lever. It’s up to us to take action and move things forward on the ground.
I would also like to invite people to be more curious, to give themselves the privilege to speak with someone they wouldn’t normally be acquainted with. It takes openness and empathy to break down unconscious bias.
Question 6
You are also very involved as a volunteer, particularly with women victims of domestic violence and temporary foreign workers. Why is it important for you to continue this work?
I was shaken by domestic violence and oppression. I don’t see myself as a victim, but as a survivor. This is an issue that affects many people in our society, and it deserves more attention. We must talk about it, raise awareness, and show that it’s important to stop living in fear because there is a way out.
It’s also crucial for me not to treat people who live and work here, like seasonal or migrant workers, as if they were invisible. They are essential and contribute to our economy.
I live in the Laurentians, where there are a lot of temporary agricultural workers. They go to the grocery store, and often no one talks to them, as if they don’t exist. In most cases, they don’t have access to French language classes, and without communication, they can’t build social connections. I’m lucky to speak Spanish, so I approach them, talk to them, help them at the checkout, and I am rewarded with their smile. It’s a simple way of showing them that they are seen, that they exist. Their resilience is inspiring. It’s important to give them that legitimacy and acknowledge them as human beings who belong in our communities.
My social involvement has always been driven by a desire to hear what others have to say, to make a difference in their lives and ensure no one is left in the shadows. It’s not just a matter of having access to housing, education, and health care – there are so many other factors that need to be considered. Everyone deserves to find a place where they feel good. I deeply believe that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and recognized.
