By Joanne Lemay, Consul General of Canada in São Paulo
This year marks 85 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Brazil, an opportunity to celebrate a partnership that continues to grow stronger, more dynamic, and more relevant in a rapidly changing world.
The past several weeks and months have provided a powerful reminder of the depth and vitality of our relationship. A significant milestone came on July 14th with the visit of Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, who came to co-chair the bi-annual Strategic Partnership Dialogue with her counterpart, Mauro Vieira of Itamaraty. During the visit, Minister Anand reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of priorities, including trade and investment, science and technology, energy, mining, sustainable development, defence, and climate action. The visit also reinforced the importance both countries place on advancing negotiations toward a Canada-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement and deepening economic cooperation at a time when trusted international partnerships matter more than ever.
The outcomes of the visit reflected a relationship focused on practical results. Through a joint declaration, Canada and Brazil announced new areas of cooperation, including a customs cooperation agreement, an MOU on health sector cooperation, and an MOU on cooperation on information integrity, combatting disinformation, and promoting journalism and media freedom. The Minister also announced CAD $125 million in sustainable infrastructure investments in Brazil through FinDev Canada.
The Minister’s visit built on the momentum that I have seen firsthand since the visit of Canada’s Minister of International Trade last August and my own arrival here in Sao Paulo last October. In that time, we have welcomed three different Canadian Provincial Ministers: from Ontario, from Saskatchewan, and from Quebec – all of whom came with solid agendas and objectives at diversifying trade and shoring up our shared autonomy.
Just like with these visits, Canada in Brazil relies on the support of partners like the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) to help us celebrate the bilateral relationship and this year’s Canada Day events in Brasília, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo were no exception!
At the reception in Brasília, the Embassy of Canada welcomed more than 300 guests, including representatives of the federal government and key partners from across Brazilian society. The event highlighted the strength of Canada’s economic footprint in Brazil and our people-to-people connections that lay the groundwork for growing collaboration.
In São Paulo, cultural diplomacy was on full display at the premiere of the Canadian hit musical Come From Away – translated into Portuguese – which provided a backdrop for a Canada Day celebration that united partners, friends, and theatre fans alike in a celebration of togetherness, cooperation, diversity, and fun. The play was even attended by a representative from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who came all the way from Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Sports diplomacy was also a way we highlighted our partnerships this year. In Rio de Janeiro, our Consulate General held a Canada Day celebration to coincide with Canada’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ football match against Qatar. At the same time, the Consulate General in São Paulo, in partnership with the Consulate General of Qatar and the CCBC, also welcomed more than 120 leaders from business, government, and civil society to the Museu do Futebol for a business networking event to view the match between Canada and Qatar. These gatherings demonstrated how sport can serve as a platform for dialogue, partnership, and economic engagement, while highlighting Canada’s readiness to welcome the world and deepen commercial ties with Brazil. Together, these recent sporting initiatives tell the story of a relationship that continues to evolve and deliver results as we look forward to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ here in Brazil next year.
Canada and Brazil are two diverse democracies with globally connected economies, abundant natural resources, innovative private sectors, and a shared commitment to sustainable growth. As the world adapts to economic and geopolitical change, the importance of trusted partners has never been greater.
Trade and investment remain at the heart of our partnership. Canadian companies have been contributing to Brazil’s development for generations, and today Canadian investment continues to support growth in sectors ranging from infrastructure and mining to clean technology and energy. At the same time, Brazilian companies increasingly view Canada as a trusted destination for investment and a gateway to North American and global markets. Our cooperation is also expanding into areas that will help define the future economy.
Eighty-five years after establishing diplomatic relations, Canada and Brazil continue to find new ways to work together. The successes of recent weeks and months show that our partnership is not defined only by its history, but by its ability to evolve, create opportunities, and deliver practical benefits for Canadians and Brazilians alike. As we celebrate this important milestone, we do so with optimism. The Canada-Brazil relationship is strong, forward-looking, and full of potential. With the involvement of organizations like the CCBC that are dedicated to growing the relationship, the next chapter promises to be even more ambitious than the last.
*This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the CCBC and is the sole responsibility of the author who signed this content.
