Eric Walsh will replace Emmanuel Kamarianakis at the Canadian Embassy in Brasília. In 2025, the Canadian government also appointed a new consul general in São Paulo
By Pedro Augusto
Canada is beginning a new chapter in its diplomatic representation in Brazil with the appointment of Eric Walsh as the new ambassador in Brasília. The diplomat will replace Emmanuel Kamarianakis, who concludes his mission in the country after leading the Canadian Embassy since 2023.
The change comes at a time of expanding trade relations between Brazil and Canada. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade between the two countries totaled US$5.47 billion, a 15% increase compared with the same period last year. Brazilian exports reached US$3.67 billion — the highest value ever recorded for a first half of the year, driven by a 52% increase in gold bullion exports — while imports totaled US$1.80 billion. As a result, Brazil maintained a positive trade balance of US$1.88 billion.
Walsh is expected to continue the Canadian diplomatic strategy of expanding the country’s presence across the Americas. The new ambassador arrives in Brazil after serving as Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives since 2022. Throughout his career, he has also served as ambassador to South Korea and held diplomatic positions in Turkey, Romania, Switzerland and Germany.
His predecessor, Emmanuel Kamarianakis, who concludes his tenure in Brazil, has more than three decades of experience in Canada’s foreign service. Since joining the diplomatic corps in 1993, he has held positions in Mexico, Greece, Iran, Italy and the United Arab Emirates. Before taking over the Embassy in Brasília, he served as Director General of Investment, Innovation and Education at Global Affairs Canada.
The renewal of Canada’s diplomatic team began in August 2025, when Joanne Lemay was appointed Consul General of Canada in São Paulo, replacing Caroline Charette. At the country’s representation in Rio de Janeiro, changes were announced in June, with the appointment of Aly-Khan Rajani as Consul General, replacing François Jubinville.
Strong ties
Canada and Brazil have maintained strong diplomatic ties for 80 years, in a relationship that began with Brazil’s appointment of a vice-consul at the port of Halifax in 1836. Just over a century later, in 1941, Brazil opened its embassy in Ottawa. That same year, Canada followed suit by establishing an embassy in Rio de Janeiro.
Today, Canada has an embassy in Brasília and Consulates General in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazil maintains an embassy in Ottawa and Consulates General in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
