According to statistics released in 2021, the Portuguese-speaking population in Canada is 448,310, which represents 1.21% of the nation’s population.
A recent phenomenon that has been driven by the economic recession and hyperinflation that afflicted Brazil in the 1980s and early 1990s, and continues since 2014 due to the political and economic crisis and chronic violence in Brazilian urban centers, is the migration of Brazilians to other countries, known as the Brazilian diaspora. According to statistics provided by the Brazilian consulate in 2022, 90,000 Brazilians living in Toronto are part of this diaspora, and the total population of Brazilians in Canada has exceeded 122,400.
Portuguese speakers started their journey to Canada as early as the mid-1400s. According to historical accounts, the following Portuguese explorers touched the eastern coast of Canada: Diogo de Teive (1452), João Vaz Corte-Real (1470), João Fernandes and Pedro de Barcelos (1493). There is also conclusive evidence regarding explorations by Miguel and Gaspar Corte-Real. They were lost in Newfoundland waters in 1501 and 1502, respectively.
Brazil has maintained a close diplomatic, immigration, and business relationship with Canada for approximately 200 years. A trade mission to Brazil was established in 1866 by British North America, which included Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and the vast territories of Rupert’s Land (the private domain of the Hudson’s Bay Company) and the North-Western Territory, before Canadian confederation in 1867. Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil visited the province of Ontario in 1876; he was best friends with Alexander Graham Bell and financially supported his invention, the telephone. Ties between Canada and Brazil strengthened during the Second World War.
Immigration to Canada from Brazil began in the 19th century. In 1867, statistics indicate that five Canadians were living in Colônia Príncipe Dom Pedro (Santa Catarina). In 1873, a doctor from Quebec immigrated to Serro Azul (PR) with his family, taking advantage of a scheme to attract immigrants from North America established by the imperial government after the U.S. Civil War. In 1876, 300 immigrants from Canada moved to the State of Pará.
In 1896, 500 Canadian immigrants, all from Montreal, arrived at the Port of Santos to work on the coffee plantations. Unfortunately, due to flaws in the recruitment process, numerous candidates were deported. In 1902, 48 Brazilians who had initially immigrated to Oklahoma (USA) settled in Ontario. During this time, more Brazilians of European origin also moved to Canada.
The presence of Canadian companies in Brazil has continued to grow since 1899. The São Paulo Tramway, Light and Power Company, founded in Toronto, started operating in Rio de Janeiro in 1905. Major companies followed, such as Alcan, Massey-Ferguson, several banking institutions, and mining companies, among many others. By 2021, Canada had invested US$ 19.78 billion in Brazil (considering equity participation and inter-company operations), and Brazil had invested US$ 9.69 billion in Canada. The relationship between the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Canadian Bombardier has strengthened despite disputes in 1996. By the end of the 21st century, Brazilian companies such as Vale and Gerdau invested in Canada, and new Canadian companies, such as Kinross, established operations in Brazil. Despite the global financial crisis and the post-Covid-19 pandemic, this trend continues.
Despite this longstanding and solid business relationship between Canada and Brazil, why does the Canadian immigration process appear to be so challenging and lengthy for Brazilians today?
Although the 2021 Canadian Census indicates there are over 21,000 Portuguese speakers in Hamilton, Ontario, not including the influx of Brazilians, which has exceeded 8,000, newcomer settlement agencies do not receive government funding or directives to offer support or advocacy in Portuguese to Hamilton’s Portuguese-speaking community. Portuguese is the official language of Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Guinea-Bissau, Macau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. It is also spoken and taught as a second language in Goa, India.
Brazil, Argentina, and Chile offered mediation at the Peace Conference in Niagara Falls in 1914. Fearing for its interests in the Gulf of Mexico and hoping to alter the course of the Mexican revolution, the United States captured Mexico’s chief seaport, Veracruz, on April 22, 1914. This placed the two countries on the brink of war. On Sunday, May 24th, delegates from Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, along with their families, local residents, and members of the press, attended a special peace mass at Our Lady of Peace Church, located on the grounds of Mount Carmel near Fallsview Casino. Canada played no official role, although it was the host country.
I suspect that policymakers involved in creating immigration processes are unaware of the strong relationship between Brazil and Canada, which has lasted for over 200 years. The current permanent resident process is ineffective and does not benefit international post-secondary students working on their master’s or PhD programs, who are contributing to the economic growth of Canada through their hefty tuition fees. We need to call for changes from Immigration Canada and the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to make positive changes to the current immigration process and address the lack of medical care in remote areas of Canada and Indigenous reserves.
It is questionable and seriously concerning that, despite Canada’s shortage of nurses, Brazilian nurses with the required level of English to work in this profession have been forced to take Personal Support Worker positions to support themselves and their families while they bridge into the nursing profession and write the exams required by the Nursing Association of Ontario. Changing a visa from a student or visitor visa, despite having a work offer from a Canadian hospital or private agency, can take from 6 months to a year or more. And when candidates approach border officers for assistance to expedite the process, they are denied help and instructed to apply online.
Canada has faced a shortage of nurses for decades. Contributing factors include workloads, inadequate support staff, violence, stress, and burnout, creating an “unfavourable work environment.” Wages and management also play a role. Another reason is that healthcare graduates often move to the USA for higher wages and warmer weather. By prolonging the immigration process and treating it like any other immigration process, Canada is decreasing the quality of patient care.
The excuse of backlog is unacceptable. An express immigration process, along with the hiring of new staff to address the backlog and providing proper training, could be the ideal shift needed.
Although English may be a barrier for many newcomers, most Brazilian students coming to Canada to work on their master’s or PhD already have a strong command of the language, as they have lived in the USA, England, or other English-speaking countries.
Hamilton needs a Portuguese and Brazilian settlement worker to help Brazilians and Portuguese speakers from other nations navigate the system. This worker should provide clear and proper directives regarding the immigration process, offer support in adjusting to a new country, language, customs, and culture, and assist with employment resources, finding affordable housing, and dealing with homesickness. Canada’s system for healthcare, education, and social assistance is very different from other countries.
A lack of resources, including limited access to public services and social programs, has caused some individuals to forgo visa renewals and end up with illegal status in Canada.
Would organizing a conference with the MP, MPP, Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, and the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council be an ideal way to call for action?
