Canada-Brazil Relations

Fact Sheet: General country information, political and economic data.

Beginning of Diplomatic Relations

Canada and Brazil have a long relationship dating from the 19th century. Canada sent its first trade mission to Brazil in 1866, and Canada was involved in bringing electricity to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo at the beginning of the 20th century. During the Second World War, Canadians became interested in broadening Canada's political, cultural and economic ties with Latin America. In October 1940, Prime Minister Mackenzie King agreed to open a legation in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The Canadian Legation was opened in 1941 with Jean Désy serving as Canadian Minister. In 1944, the Legation was elevated to the status of Embassy with Mr. Désy becoming the first Canadian Ambassador to Brazil. Although the Brazilian capital was officially moved to Brasilia in 1960, the Canadian Embassy remained in Rio de Janeiro until 1974. In May 1941, Brazil opened a legation in Ottawa. The first Brazilian Ambassador to Canada was João Alberto Lins de Barros, who served from 1941 until July 1942.

In the years following the Second World War, Brazil was the centre of Canadian foreign policy in South America. Today, in addition to our Embassy in Brasilia, Canada is also represented by Consulates General in both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. We also have a trade office in the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte.

Key Issues

• Enhancing Canada-Brazil Relations:
  Brazil is one of 11 key partner countries designated by Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada (along with the G8 countries, Mexico, India and China). This designation recognizes the growing hemispheric and international importance of Brazil and the need to enhance Canada's relations with this country of 175 million people. Among the many indications of a growth in our relationship are the recent reactivation of parliamentary friendship groups, a heightened level of official visits and greater interest in both countries in learning more about the other from both a public policy and person-to-person perspective. To recognise the importance of further strengthening our relations with Brazil, Prime Minister Paul Martin visited Brazil on November 22-23 and met with President da Silva.

• Academic and Cultural Ties:
  Canada and Brazil share strong cultural and academic connections, which have been expanding over the years. There is an active Brazilian Association for Canadian Studies that includes 17 Canadian Studies nuclei in various parts of Brazil. A Canadian Education Centre was opened in São Paulo during the 1998 Team Canada visit to Brazil to promote Canada as a cost-effective, high-quality study destination. More than 7,300 Brazilians study in Canada and, in 2004, Canada became the number one study abroad destination for Brazilians. Through a variety of programs financed by both governments, academics from all areas of Canada and Brazil enjoy frequent and regular exchange and cooperation opportunities.

  Four Canadian universities—York University, the University of Western Ontario, the Université du Québec à Montréal and the University of Calgary—that are involved in a joint effort to promote the study of Brazil in Canada recently created a visiting chair in Brazilian Studies.

  Canadian artists and Canadian cultural products are well recognized in the huge Brazilian market. The possibilities are increasing, and major efforts are under way to encourage more people-to-people contacts and exchanges. Every year, many performers, visual artists and other Canadians visit and perform in Brazil, either on a commercial basis or with government assistance. The Canadian government encourages these important people-to-people exchanges for their potential to enrich the bilateral relationship.

Trade and Investment

International Trade Canada is responsible for positioning Canada as a world business leader and for promoting Canada as a dynamic place to do business. Visit the International Trade Canada web site for information about services for Canadian companies, non-Canadian companies, business development, and information relating to investment or trade policy.

Indigenous Relations

Learn more about the Aboriginal dimension of Canada's relations with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Development Assistance

CIDA supports projects in the Americas and around the world that are eligible for Canadian aid through development cooperation initiatives.

April 2005