When Lilian Cazacu arrived in Canada from the Republic of Moldova in 2005, he had an expansive legal background: a bachelor’s in civil law, a master’s in law, and PhD studies in criminology. In Canada, he found his credentials were not recognized. Deflated, but not defeated, Cazacu started a journey that would not only reshape his career but also shape him into a pillar of the Langley community.
Becoming a Community Leader
Cazacu’s story is one that personifies resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to giving back. After facing rejections from B.C. law schools, he pursued a Certificate in Legal Administrative Studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), which enabled him to work as a paralegal. From there, he earned a Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies from Simon Fraser University, allowing him to practice as a notary public.
His business, LC Notary Corporation in Langley, quickly became a success. Recognized for his professional excellence, Cazacu’s list of accolades includes:
- 2024: Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award (Canadian Immigrant)
- 2020 and 2024: Readers’ Choice Award for Best Notary (Langley Advance Times)
- 2019 – George Preston Memorial Business Person of the Year (Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce)
- 2019 – Distinguished Alumni of the Year (Kwantlen Polytechnic University)
- 2018 – Small Business Person of the Year (Alignable)
- 2018 – Entrepreneur of the Year (Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce)
- 2017 – Best Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year (SmallBusinessBC.)
- 2016 – Under 40 Business Person of the Year (Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce)
Giving Back to the Community
For Cazacu, success is not solely about personal achievement, but also about uplifting others. “I’m very passionate about giving back to my community,” he says, and he lives this value by serving in his community. He has been participating on multiple boards, volunteered with non-profits, and is an active member of the local Rotary chapter. His dedication has cemented his reputation as a community leader, one who consistently uses his skills and resources to help others.
A Vision for Langley: A Hub for Immigrants
Cazacu contributions to Langley have been significant, but he recognizes that challenges still exist for the growing immigrant population. Langley has experienced rapid growth over the past few years, and he has seen firsthand how the community wasn’t fully prepared for the influx of new immigrants. Unlike Surrey, with systems in place for years, Langley still struggles to provide cohesive resources for newcomers. “The highest priority for Langley is to create an immigration “hub” – a place where a new immigrant could find the resources and be guided towards the right organization or resources that they require first. There are so many charitable organizations, but people don’t know where to go,” says Cazacu.
A central hub would simplify this overwhelming process by assessing newcomers’ needs and directing them to the appropriate services. Cazacu believes that having such a system in place would help immigrants integrate more smoothly and quickly into Canadian society. His work with the Langley Local Immigration Partnership helped steer the community in this direction.
A Story of Resilience
Cazacu’s personal journey highlights the resilience of immigrants. “Most immigrant stories are about resilience,” he reflects. “My story is about adapting—being a lawyer who couldn’t practice as a lawyer in Canada, I had to embrace a new path.” Through hard work, humility, and the support of his community and family, Cazacu built a successful career as a notary public while never losing sight of his desire to give back.
Beyond the challenges of career transition, Cazacu also acknowledges the financial hurdles that many immigrants face, especially in a region as expensive as Metro Vancouver. “If you don’t come with a sack of money, it’s really tough to get established,” he admits. But, even in the face of significant obstacles, success is possible with hard work, determination, and an adaptable attitude.
Balancing Family, Business, and Community Service
As a family man with four children, balancing personal, professional, and community responsibilities is not easy. “Time is the one resource you can’t build more of.” Despite his many commitments, including running his notary business and serving on various boards, Cazacu has learned to be more selective about the opportunities he takes on, focusing on projects that align with his values and capacity.
Faith and family have been his pillars of support throughout his journey. “My wife has been incredibly supportive, especially in taking care of the kids while I was re-doing my education and starting a new business he says. He also attributes his success to his Christian faith “If you believe in something bigger than yourself, you may be able to grow into something bigger than you are.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Immigrants
Looking forward, Cazacu hopes to continue inspiring others, particularly the next generation of immigrants. Through professional speaking engagements and workshops, he shares his insights on financial literacy and entrepreneurship with immigrant communities. He has also mentored aspiring notaries, encouraging students to pursue the profession and reminding them that success is within reach.
As Cazacu enters the “second half” of his career, he is focused on making a lasting impact—what he describes as “moving from Success to Significance. Using some language that he has learned as an athlete, “It’s about pushing harder in the second half of the game,” he explains. Whether it’s through public speaking, community projects, or simply advising his own children on their future careers, Cazacu remains committed to helping others succeed.
Final Words of Wisdom
To immigrants who may feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face, Cazacu offers this advice: “Don’t give up, even when things don’t go your way. Work honestly and diligently in the area you are passionate about, and things will start to fall in their place.”
His journey to success was not a straight line. It required adaptability, perseverance, and, most importantly, a commitment to giving back to the community. Through his actions, Cazacu continues to inspire others to strive for their best, leaving behind a better community and country for future generations.