Message from the Ambassador of Canada to Brazil

As Canada's Ambassador to Brazil, and on behalf of the staff of the Canadian Embassy in Brasilia and our Consulates in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Canada in Brazil website. I am delighted to be representing Canada in Brazil during this exciting and dynamic period in our bilateral relations.

As a country of the Americas, Canada recognizes the important role played by Brazil in the region and in the greater international community. In fact, the Canadian Government has placed Canada-Brazil relations as one of the key priorities in our Foreign Policy. Our countries share much more than a geographic position within the Americas, as proven by the many issues on which Brazil and Canada cooperate both bilaterally, and through various international fora.

The Canada-Brazil relationship truly is multidimensional. On the areas of trade and investment, our countries share a vibrant and productive relationship which makes us important partners. Military cooperation is also significant and spans a wide range of projects. Canada's overall cooperation and technical assistance programme in Brazil through Canada's International Development Agency (CIDA) is also a valuable component of our relationship. Our cultural and academic relations are strong indeed, as proven by our various student exchange initiatives, the Canadian studies programs throughout Brazil, and by the many Brazilian visitors to Canada and Canadian visitors to Brazil each year.

Throughout Canada's history, an unquestionable commitment to peace, democratic values-and the utmost respect for human rights-have brought security and prosperity to our citizens. The principles of justice and tolerance have been key in the creation of our multicultural society. At the international level, Canada is devoted to making the world a safer and more prosperous place. Peacekeeping operations and human security initiatives throughout the world, have over time, positioned Canada at the forefront of innovative thinking which takes into account the changing realities of a changing world. As an active member of many international organizations (United Nations, Organization of American States, the Commonwealth, and the Francophonie to name a few), Canada has earned its place as an advocate for multilateralism in the resolution of conflict.

Both Canada and Brazil have much in common, and we are currently experiencing the great potential our countries have to work together on an ever-growing range of areas.

I invite you to explore this site and use it as a tool to learn more about our two countries, and discover the many layers of the Canada-Brazil bilateral relationship.

Guillermo E. Rishchynski
Canada's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Brazil