Year 8 . Issue 17 . Summer 2017
www.magazinediscover.com
CANADA
Special Report
Hamilton The new destination for Torontonians and tourists alike
BRAZIL
Explore Chapada Diamantina
PORTUGAL
A different point of view on Algarve’s farmers’ markets
CONTENTS
Hamilton-at-Night By Tourism & Culture, City of Hamilton
BRAZIL
CONTRIBUTORS
TOURISM
PAGE
06
Explore Chapada Diamantina
Ingrid Coifman is a journalist and PR, who specializes in technology, economics, and tourism, having in her portfolio Culture TV, CBN Radio, McDonalds and Microsoft.
CULTURE
PAGE
08
Brazilian community in Canada celebrates 30 years
Giselle Norões
MINING
PAGE
10
Brazilian mission represents a turning point
is a journalist and PR. She worked as a press officer and also has work experience in TV, radio, magazine and digital media.
BUSINESS
Gwen McCauley
CANADA PAGE
14 PAGE
SIAL CANADA: Brazilian exporters build a valuable business network
SPECIAL REPORT
18
Hamilton is the new destination for Torontonians and tourists alike
PAGE
COMMUNITY
22
BGD Group strengthens bonds with Portuguese community
Off the beaten path adventurer, writer for small businesses and about culinary travel. Portugal’s rich food culture is Gwen’s culinary tour focus, plus publishing Algarve Dining and articles to numerous social media sites.
Luis Aparício is a freelance journalist with experience in daily news in Portugal . He collaborates with local Portuguese newspapers in Toronto.
Rosana Dias Lancsarics
PORTUGAL PAGE
30
TOURISM A different point of view on Algarve’s farmers’ markets
REGULARS PAGE
04
Jose Francisco Schuster
PAGE
YOUR LETTERS
24
is a journalist and Public Relations. In Brazil, she has worked for companies such as Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, Exame Magazine, Fiat Automoveis, and Embraer. In Canada, her experience includes the communications teams of Toronto Pan Am/Parapan Games and Prostate Câncer Canada.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Schuster has been a journalist for 30 years. He writes a blog on the Brazilian community in Canada.
www.magazinediscover.com | DISCOVER | 2017 | 03
YOUR LETTERS
The newsroom continues to receive many compliments and words of encouragement from our readers in Canada, Brazil and Portugal. We welcome those comments and look forward to your ideas and feedback.
2017 marks a special year for all Canadians as we come together to celebrate 150 years since confederation. It was great to see Discover Magazine’s focus on Canada150 and what it means for all Canadians. As the Member of Parliament for Davenport, I have the honour to represent both the largest Portuguese-Canadian and Brazilian-Canadian communities in Canada. Together with Italian and Irish immigrants, Portuguese immigrants helped build Davenport into the vibrant multi-cultural hub it is today. As pioneers, they are an inspiration for current and future generations of Portuguese-Canadians. Canada’s diversity is our strength – we are a stronger country because of the contributions of both Portuguese and Brazilian-Canadians. I look forward to the next 150 years and what we will be able to accomplish together! Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament Davenport, Toronto, Canada
I really enjoyed reading Discover Magazine’s Canada 150 Anniversary issue. It showed us a great picture of our lovely country, featuring its history, symbols, politicians, and of course, the 150th celebrations. I personally get very emotional in times like this, because it makes me remember all the achievements I`ve accomplished since I arrived here more than 25 years ago. The DISCOVER team did a beautiful job by reminding us why Canada is the best country in the world to live in. Arnon Melo Managing Director MELLOHAWK Logistics Mississauga, Canada
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Celebrations Continue! Dundas Peak Lookout in Hamilton Conservation Area, Ontario, Canada By Nelz Tabcharani316/ Shutterstock
Executive Director | Founder Leila Monteiro Lins Director Teresa Oliveira Executive Editor Ingrid Coifman Contributors Francisco Alvim Giselle Norões Gwen McCauley José Francisco Schuster Luis Aparício Paulo de Castro Reis Rosana Lancsarics Dias Translator Rafael Alcantara Copy Editor Joan Sheppard Art Director Bruna Lopes Photographers Dave Burke (Canada) Diego Barros (Brazil) Marketing Rodrigo Diniz (Brazil) Richard Turner (Canada) marketing@magazinediscover.com Frequency is published twice a year (Spring & Fall)
DISCOVER magazine is member of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)
PUBLISHER INFORMATION: LML COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING INC. Contact: Leila Monteiro Lins Email: leila@magazinediscover.com Website: www.magazinediscover.com Phone: 1- 647- 227-5514 Toronto, Canada Distribution: Canada (Halifax, GTA, London, Guelph, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon & Vancouver). ISSN nº1920-7859 Follow us on: Twitter: @Mag_Discover Facebook: MagazineDiscover Instagram: MagazineDiscover For advertisement or subscription: Please contact us at: marketing@magazinediscover.com Cover price: $6.50 | Subscription: $12 per year (2 issues)
C
anada’s 150th anniversary celebrations are in full swing. We expect great events to continue to take over the country in the coming months! The Toronto International Film Fest (TIFF) will be presenting 150 free screenings, live events, and educational content based on 150 essential films from Ontario and Canada. In September, the multi-sports event Invictus Games will welcome over 600 competitors from 17 nations. We encourage you to find a community event to celebrate the culture, food, history and sports of our beautiful country till the end of 2017. The city of Hamilton is the focus of our special report in this issue. As one of the oldest cities in the province of Ontario, Hamilton is full of history, art, architecture and many landmarks. Hamilton has 15 historic sites and hidden gems, as well as a vibrant outdoor and urban life, and an excellent location, halfway between Toronto and Niagara Falls. In Tourism, we present Chapada Diamantina, the right destination for trekking lovers in Brazil. Full of waterfalls, caves, wells, and observatories to explore, its National Park has attracted Brazilian and foreign travelers for several decades; and some have never left. In Algarve, Portugal, farmers’ markets are a great way to spend the day, to soak up the culture and pick up a bargain at the same time. Throughout this year, our Brazilian community is celebrating 30 years in this country. Discover interviewed some of the pioneers who left their homeland behind and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime in Canada. Words are not enough to describe the joy and pride we feel to see our community flourishing and helping to shape this beautiful nation. Enjoy the read!
There are more great content and exclusive features at Discoverbrazil.ca. To get there, simply download any of the free QR code readers available for your Smartphone and scan the square QR code on the left using your Smartphone’s camera. The information contained in this publication has been obtained from sources the proprietors believe to be correct. However, no legal liability can be accepted for any errors. No part of the publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
Leila Monteiro Lins Publisher leila@magazinediscover.com
www.magazinediscover.com | DISCOVER | 2017 | 05
Morro do Pai Inácio By Suzana Arruda
BRAZIL | Tourism
Explore
Chapada Diamantina By Giselle Norões
P
ut on your backpack, and get ready to explore the unknown. This is what many people are looking for nowadays with ecotourism trips and adventure tourism. Brazil offers a lot of areas rich with this kind of experience. One of them is the Chapada Diamantina, a natural paradise located about 400km from Salvador, Bahia. It is a mountainous region, protected by the Chapada Diamantina National Park, where the highest elevation in the northeastern region is located.
It’s possible to get to know the area, no
rush, in about five days. You’ll be able to visit around 25 different attractions. Among the most well-known are: Pratinha River, Lapa Doce Cave, Morro do Pai Inácio, Fumaça Waterfall, Poço Encantado, Poço Azul, Poço do Diabo (the Devil’s Pit) and the Cachoeira da Purificação (Purification Waterfall). Create a detailed itinerary before setting off and get to know as many places as possible and enjoy your stay! 06 | 2017 | DISCOVER
Path to the Gruta da Lapa Doce By Giselle Norões
Lençóis observation point By Giselle Norões
landscapes, slopes covered with the dry Atlantic forests, waterfalls and rivers, mixed together with a taste of the local culture. Visitors stay at local homes (there are no inns or hostels in this area) whre they can sample delicious home cooking. Local guides can be hired and will accompany you on your journey throughout the region. You’ll get the most out of your trip if you pick a 5-day itinerary. Typically the trip begins in Capão (70km from Lençóis) and end in Andaraí (120km from Lençóis). There are also 3-day or 4-day itineraries returning through Guiné (80 km of Lençóis). The main attraction is the Mirante do Cachoeirão, which is part of all itineraries, as well as the Funil Waterfalls and an impressive climb to Morro do Castelo.
Lençóis e Vale do Capão Lençóis is a tourist town with several restaurants and companies that offer tour guide services. It is ideal for those who travel with their families and children or for those who are not looking for experiences that are physically demanding. Another option, Vale do Capão, is a more rustic place. The village consists of a street and a square. However, there are several inns spread out within a 10km radius of the village centre. The advantage is that you will be closer to nature as many inns are located right in the middle of the bush or in places with outstanding views of the mountains. Generally, the tour guides are the locals themselves. Don’t expect a busy nightlife – but the few bars and restaurants you’ll find there will be a lot less expensive than in Lençóis.
Vale do Pati The Pati Valley is a true natural playground for those looking for adventure tourism and to explore the area on foot. The trails across the area were made by the local residents over the course of a century. You’ll have a unique experience: stunning
Vale do Pati By Selma Viana Lessa
GETTING THERE Horácio de Matos Airport in Lençois offers regular flights from Salvador/BA, São Paulo/SP and Belo Horizonte/MG. The airport is located 20KM from downtown Lençois. Flights: Thursdays and Sundays. You can also get there by car or bus from Salvador. For more detailed information visit: www.guiachapadadiamantina.com.br
BRAZIL | Culture
BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY IN CANADA CELEBRATES 30 YEARS In addition to the students who arrive every day, there is a significant Brazilian community building a history in the country By José Francisco Schuster
A
n event for over 1,000 people at the Pearson Convention Centre on May 27 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Brazilian community in Canada. The event was organized by entrepreneur and event producer Angela Mesquita and Portuguese designer Luís de Castro, known for his work at the Brazilian Carnival Ball.
Ângela Mesquita “Those who arrived 30 years ago are getting old. We need an association, where we can dedicate ourselves to the elderly and children and teach English to our immigrants.” “When I look back and think about what I did, I don’t think I’d do it again. When you’re young, you’re braver”, thinks Angela. She says the situation now is totally different for newcomers. There is already a community in place where Brazilians and Portuguese help each other a lot,” she says. MP Julie Dzerowicz (right), with entrepreneur Angela Mesquita, reads the message of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the Brazilian community. Photo by LML
08 | 2017 | DISCOVER
Ralf Paiva “I feel victorious in Canada. The country has given me wonderful things. It is a country that when we have confidence in going for our dreams, things really come true.” “Until 1985, everyone hoped that the authoritarian military dictatorship that ruled Brazil would soon end and the country would turn into the country we had dreamed of. When the dictatorship ended and nothing changed, many people lost hope in Brazil and I think this led to mass emigration,” says Ralf Paiva, from Ipatinga, also celebrating 30 years in Canada. With a degree in Agriculture from Brazil, he arrived in Canada with the phone numbers of friends of friends. Within a week, living at Bathurst and King, Ralf got a job at a dry cleaner at Keele and Steeles.
Antônio Paula de Oliveira “It was a difficult adventure, but after 30 years, I have come to the conclusion that I would do it all over again.” Antônio Paula de Oliveira arrived from São Paulo in 1988; a year after Canada had started the visa requirements. “In general, the situation was very hard in Brazil, I had two, three jobs and could not support myself,” he remembers. His brother-in-law was already living in the United States. After two unsuccessful attempts to obtain an American visa, he made it to Canada successfully. “Today’s competition is fiercer than it was back then, the doors to immigration are more open and a lot of people are coming. At that time, you could make a decent living, “he says.”It was a difficult adventure, but after 30 years, I have come to the conclusion that I would do it all over again,” he said.
BRAZIL | Mining
Brazilian mission represents a turning point By Luis Aparício & Leila Monteiro Lins
F
or the first time in 13 years a Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy participated in Brazil-Canada PDAC 2017, one of the largest mining events that take place annually in Toronto. The PDAC gathered about 900 exhibitors and received more than 24,000 visitors from 125 countries. This year, the Brazilian goal was clear: to reaffirm the commitment to revitalize the mining industry in the country not only by encouraging companies that are currently investing in the country, but also by attracting new investments.
Journalists Luis Aparício and Leila Monteiro Lins interviewed the minister Fernando Coelho Filho during the PDAC 2017 in Toronto.
During the 11th edition of the Brazil-Canada events at the PDAC 2017, organized by the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC), the minister Fernando Coelho Filho participated in debates and exhibitions with various contributors in the mining sector with the intention of stimulating and attracting future investments and to initiate a productive dialogue with the private sector. Coelho Filho presented the country’s mineral potential, highlighting government plans to encourage foreign investment in the sector. As a whole, ten measures will be implemented in the upcoming months in the hope that the participation of mining activity in the Brazilian economy increases from 4% to 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), taking advantage of the rising of prices in the international environment. “With the changes to be implemented, I believe we can lay the foundations for growth,” said Minister Fernando Coelho Filho. 10 | 2017 | DISCOVER
The mission, organized by Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (CCBC), included a delegation of more than 30 Brazilians, government officials and entrepreneurs. By LML
Mission to Canada results in potential business for Mato Grosso The participants from Mato Grosso, Brazil, returned with four potential business opportunities in progress, which should result in future international visits to the State. The mission, organized by the CCBC and the State Department of Economic Development (Sedec), through Desarrolla MT, resulted in the creation of a Regional Block formed by 17 municipalities in Mato Grosso.
Brazilian Minister of Mines & Energy, Fernando Coelho By LML
State of Mato Grosso’s representatives at BCCC event By LML
CANADA | Business
Brasil Pavilion
SIAL CANADA:
Brazilian exporters Build a Valuable Network Report & Photos by José Francisco Schuster
B
razil, an exhibitor at SIAL CANADA 2017, a major food and beverage trade fair that has been taking place since 2007, presented its largest pavilion ever with 115 square meters from May 2 to 4 in Toronto. Twenty-six Brazilian companies, representing five Brazilian regions, brought a diversity of high quality products in several segments of the food industry. Many products were showcased by different companies: chocolate by Neugebauer, from Rio Grande do Sul; coconut water, coconut milk and coconut oil by DuCoco, from Ceará; rice by Guacira from São Paulo; and cachaça by Pitu from Pernambuco.
“SIAL is one of the best opportunities for Brazilian companies to exhibit and expand the export of Brazilian food and beverage products in Canada,” said the Consul General of Brazil in Toronto, Ana Lélia Benincá Beltrame. For the consul-general, SIAL has provided concrete opportunities to export Brazilian products to 14 | 2017 | DISCOVER
Canada and other countries. “Brazil’s participation at SIAL since 2007 has certainly contributed to the entry of Brazilian products into Ana Lélia Beltrame,the Canadian market, as Consul General of Brazil in Toronto well as to the development of a community of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Canada,” she said. The Consul-General has assessed Brazil’s participation in this year’s fair as “a great success, due to the quality of the products presented, the professionalism of the Brazilian participants who attended the fair and the future business deals that have been generated.” Ana Lélia also highlighted the beauty and functionality of the pavilion. “The food sector has always been a fundamental element of Brazilian exports and the prices of these products are expected to recover in relation to recent low price levels. It is always imperative that Brazil make an effort to diversify its exports, “said the consul-general. “The status as a leading world exporter of food products has always made Brazil an attractive partner for placing its products in Canada. But we must invest more in marketing and expand our contacts with distributors and wholesalers, in addition to expanding the offer, therefore, obtaining more affordable prices for the consumer,” concluded Ana Lélia.
SIAL CANADA 2017: 15,000 professional visitors, 930 exhibitors, 60 countries & 240,000 sq.ft. of exhibiting space Flávio Ferreira, director of Br4trade, who represented Forno de Minas with their cheese bread, says he has been introducing the Brazilian cheese bread and açaí berry to the Canadian community. He adds that both products have been popular among the Brazilian and Portuguese communities since 2010, when they started being imported to Canada. “Forno de Minas now offers five different kinds of cheese breads for retailers and five others for the food service industry, such as restaurants and hotels. He proudly says that the company also exports to South America, Europe and the United Arab Emirates.
“Brazilian entrepreneurs were unanimous in evaluating this was the best Brazilian pavilion at SIAL and the best trade show ever, in terms of contacts and business potential.” Also a newcomer to Toronto, Essenciale, from Minas Gerais, is already a winner of three technological innovation awards for its green propolis at SIAL China, competing with 350 products from all over the world. “I think we will have a great opportunity in Toronto,” said Nivia Macedo Freire Alcici, president and CEO. Having Japan as its largest market and also selling to the United States, the goal is to enter the Canadian market. “We have one of the best green propolis in the world, (originally from Minas Gerais using local rosemary), which protects you against various diseases,” he explained. SIAL CANADA takes place yearly alternating between Toronto and Montreal and next year it will be in Montreal, from May 2 to 4, 2018.
CANADA | Special Report
Enjoy the fall colours by exploring Dundas Valley by Tourism & Culture, City of Hamilton By Tourism & Culture, City of Hamilton
Hamilton is the Place to Be By Ingrid Coifman
A
city where arts and culture are booming and history is celebrated through architecture, historic sites and museums. Its vibrant urban life includes trendy spots and events all year-round. We are talking about Hamilton, a place many Torontonians are now calling home and millions of tourists want to visit.
Hamilton’s arts community has been a strong driving force in the city. The presence of influential artists has boosted the sector and engaged new audiences with cultural spaces. The city has one of the oldest artist-run-centres, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, a growing theatre scene and a high number of play-wrights living and producing locally. According to Anna Bradford, director of Tourism & Culture for the city of Hamilton, there has been increased funding to the arts sector through an additional $1 million investment. “Hamilton draws on its industrial past, not just by re-using and adapting old buildings, but by embracing a ‘can do, make it happen’ attitude that built the city in the first place,” says Bradford. 18 | 2017 | DISCOVER
By Istimages, Shutterstock
James Street Art Crawl: crowds gather to celebrate the city’s booming art community By Tourism & Culture, City of Hamilton
Technology, Health and Education McMaster University ranks as one of Canada’s top three most research-intensive By Tourism & Culture, City of Hamilton
James Street, one of the oldest streets in Canada, dating back to the early 1800’s, has become trendy James Street North, welcoming indie artists and hip cafes and restaurants. Hamilton’s good infrastructure and affordable property prices, compared to cities such as Toronto, have attracted young families who are looking for more space and stability, without giving up big city amenities. Outdoor life style and location are other strong selling points. Hamilton lies halfway between Toronto and Niagara Falls, less than an hour from each. Bounded by Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment, the city offers access to conservation areas, with a wide range of outdoor adventures, including cycling, hiking and boating. More than 100 waterfalls can be found along several trails.
Hamilton welcomes over 4.5 million visitors annually, with individual spending reaching an estimated $360 million per year, according to data from the Tourism & Culture office. Approximately 2,300 residents are employed in the hospitality sector. The city has left behind its status as a “steel town”, expecting to generate 2,600 new jobs in 2017 in the areas of technology, health, and education. Hamilton boasts a robust education sector, featuring local universities and colleges. McMaster University consistently ranks as one of Canada’s top three most research-intensive (number of research dollars per faculty member) universities and is home to Canada’s first human embryonic stem cell library. The university currently enrolls around 30,000 students. The growth rate for people aged 25-35 is almost two times higher in Hamilton than it is for the province as a whole. It’s an exciting time for Hamilton as the city’s growth rate has rebounded after stagnating during the preceding decade, according to Global Hamilton.
Beautiful waterfall in Hamilton, Ontario, in fall colors By Nelz Tabcharani316, Shutterstok
www.magazinediscover.com | DISCOVER | 2017 | 19
AGH: the third largest public art gallery with a collection of over 10,000 artworks By Tourism & Culture, City of Hamilton
Historic sites to visit: Whitehern Historic House and Garden · Home to multiple generations of the McQuesten family · Features a restored walled urban garden · The site is furnished only with possessions of the family; a rarity in Ontario
Whitehern Historic House and Garden By Jeffrey M. Frank, Shutterstock
One of Canada’s premier art galleries Founded in 1914, the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) is Ontario’s third largest public art gallery. AGH features over 10,000 works of art, including historical European and Canadian, as well as contemporary art. The AGH Design Annex offers a creativity lab where experimental exhibitions and intimate performances are staged, and a retail space for home and office, the Art + Design Store. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 11am. to 6pm. Thursday: 11am. to 8pm. Saturday & Sunday: 12pm. to 5 pm. Address: 23 King St West, Hamilton, ON
Home to Major Events Hamilton has hosted major national and international events like the Junos; Grey Cup; Canadian Open; Pan Am Soccer; American Public Gardens Association Conference; and Heritage Trust National Conference. The city is scheduled to welcome the North American Indigenous Games in 2017 and Canadian Country Music Week in 2018. 20 | 2017 | DISCOVER
Dundurn National Historic Site (Dundurn Castle) · 9,000 years of history · Contains a big restored manor house, coach house, dovecote, cockpit plus extensive grounds · Hamilton Military Museum is also located on the property Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology · Located in the first waterworks in Hamilton, opened in 1859 · The most completely preserved waterworks in North America · Contains the original steam powered engine and pumps (5 stories tall and 70 tons) · Waterworks ran for 51 years and saved many thousands of lives by providing clean drinking water to Hamiltonians Battlefield House Museum and Park · Possibly the oldest historic house museum in Canada (opened in 1899) · Site of pivotal battle in the War of 1812, now restored as a Georgian era residence. · Includes monuments to the battle erected in 1913 and memorials developed in 2013 to acknowledge the dead on all sides of the conflict and the contribution of First Nations.
CANADA | Community
“We’re ready to grow,“ said Filomena Silveira, advisory partner in the BGD Group.
BGD group strengthens bonds with Portuguese community Report & Photos by Luis Aparício
B
orn in Terceira, Azores, Filomena Silveira moved to Canada 35 years ago with the goal of developing a professional career, but not without becoming a mother first. She decided to learn English and to invest in accounting courses, which led her to earn degrees in Accounting and in Commerce. Silveira has always sought to have an active civic participation in the Portuguese community. In 2009, she met one of the BGD Group partners, just after moving to Mississauga in 2007. But it was not until 2013 that she would join the firm. The opening of the Mississauga office took place in June 2013. Currently, the group has more than a dozen partners. Recognizing a faster than expected growth, prompted the BGD group to expand. Filomena Silveira has no doubts: “We are ready to grow.”
22 | 2017 | DISCOVER
Expansion As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Filomena notes that the relationship with the community (including the Lusophone community) has strengthened and the group now has greater visibility with a growing client base. Silveira speaks of a group of licensed professionals with extensive experience, prepared to provide professional advice to anyone who wants to start a business or intends to boost their growth in the market. The idea is also to centralize services and expand both domestically and internationally, reaching different communities. Among the priorities is the expansion of the BGD group in Southern Ontario, especially in the Toronto metropolitan area (GTA).The first step was taken in February this year with the opening of a “satellite” office on Dundas Street West, Toronto, an area with a huge Portuguese concentration.
Her extensive and diverse experience includes leading projects in a Canadian supermarket chain with the implementation of SAP, business processes, internal controls procedures and consulting services for a variety of businesses. Filomena is an active member of the Toronto and Mississauga Board of Trade, the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Portuguese-Canadian Businessmen and Professionals (FPCBP) and the Women’s Mining Association.
The BGD Group
As a Licensed Professional Accountant with more than 20 years of experience, Filomena Silveira serves clients in a variety of industries such as consumer food packaging companies, construction and real estate, manufacturing, mining, retail and other professions.
BGD is a professional firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to private enterprises, public companies, high-net worth individuals and non-profit organizations. The BGD group has a team of qualified professionals offering accounting, auditing and tax and business consulting services.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Canada-Brazil Friendship Committee By Rosana Dias Lancsarics The recently arrived Brazilian Ambassador to Canada, Denis Fortes de Souza Pinto, is already seeing great results from his initiatives with the support of MP First meeting of the Canada-Brazil Friendship. Courtesy from MP Julie Dzerowicz’s office. Julie Dzerowicz in the creation of the Canada-Brazil Friendship Committee. “Canadian parliamentarians are very positive about the possibilities of the Committee,” the ambassador emphasized. Meetings will take place twice a year, with informal get-together throughout. The Committee will have MP Julie Dzerowicz (photo-centre) as its chair. “The goal of the Canada-Brazil Friendship Committee is to form better relations with parliamentarians in Brazil and work together in areas of mutual interest and benefit, “said Dzerowicz. According to Julie Dzerowicz, “the Committee will focus on starting and supporting negotiations between the Mercosul trading bloc and the Government of Canada”. MP Dzerowicz is also passionate about helping to strengthen Brazil´s democratic institutions and promoting gender equality among many other things. Another goal of Ambassador Souza Pinto is to increase the political dialogue between Brazil and Canada. His list also includes a commitment to a Canada-Mercosur free trade agreement and increased technical and scientific cooperation, involving universities and other organizations in both countries. The ambassador is planning to visit as many provinces as possible to make new contacts. “I like to see and feel the places,” he said. Born in Recife, Souza Pinto’s career includes diplomatic activities in Brazil, Germany, Ecuador, China, France and the Vatican.
LIUNA Local 183 raised more than half a million dollars for charity Report & Photos by Luis Aparício
From right: Jack Oliveira, Joseph Mancinelli & Michael Mancinelli at The 18th annual “Golf Classic” tournament. 24 | 2017 | DISCOVER
The 18th annual “Golf Classic” tournament which was attended by 1,000 people, spread across seven golf courses, raised more than half a million dollars at the end of the day for charity. “We are very happy with the outcome of the event. In the future, we intend to increase this contribution to one million dollars,” pointed out Jack Oliveira, Business Manager of Liuna Local 183. The International vice-president (LIUNA) and regional director for Central and Eastern Canada, Joseph Mancinelli, praised the leadership role of Local 183 union executive members and added that LIUNA raises more than $5 million annually for different charities, which demonstrates the role of social responsibility that the union organization has in the community.
NEWS IN BRIEF
TAP launches a new route to Canada’s largest city Report & Photos by Luis Aparicio
Inaugural flight TAP Portugal Airline started flying between Lisbon and Toronto on June 10th. The new service is among four new destinations inaugurated on Portugal Day, including Stuttgart in Germany, as well as Gran Canaria and Alicante in Spain. The Portuguese national airline will be inaugurating 11 new destinations this year. “We already have 38,000 reservations for the TO-LIS flights,” said Fernando Pinto, president of TAP. He is pleased with the numbers indicating that the new route is a success and has come to stay, adding that “it has a lot to do with the attractiveness of Lisbon and Portugal and also with this huge Canadian connection with 550,000 Portuguese and descents. TAP has grown substantially since its privatization 28% growth this year compared to last year.”
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Fernando Pinto, president of TAP (right), Mariana Vieira da Silva, Assistant Secretary of State to the Prime Minister and Scott Collier, Vice-President, Commercial & Terminal Services of the Greater Toronto Airports.
Investment in Toronto The Assistant Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, Mariana Vieira da Silva, who attended TAP’s inaugural ceremony, said that this is a “great moment that also represents very well the effort toward rapprochement between the two countries”, which the Portuguese
TAP’s team feels confident the new Lisbon-Toronto route will be a success.
government “has also been trying to build between the Portuguese community in Canada and Portugal.” With the Lisbon-Toronto route, TAP now has 35 weekly flights to North America, twice as many flights when compared to the same period in 2015, when the airline operated 16 weekly flights. Nonstop service between Lisbon and Toronto will operate five flights weekly on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The flights depart from Lisbon at 6:45pm and arrive in Toronto at 10 pm, local time, and return from Toronto at 11.55 pm arriving in Lisbon at 12.15 pm of the following day.
NEWS IN BRIEF
TIFF By Ingrid Coifman & Leila Monteiro Lins Photos by LML In September, the city will be once again abuzz with galas, special presentations lineups, and movie stars. The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will celebrate diversity and homegrown talent by screening 26 Canadian-made films. Making their world premieres are Mary Harron’s Alias Grace, based on the award-winning novel by Margaret Atwood, with a screenplay written by Sarah Polley and starring Sarah Gadon, Anna Paquin and Paul Gross; and Sean Menard’s The Carter Effect, on how NBA All-Star Vince Carter made an impact on
TIFF Canadian Press Conference on August 9, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel by LML
Toronto. “It is exciting to see a new wave of Canadian first-time feature directors play with genres and take risks,” said Steve Gravestock, Senior Programmer, TIFF. Among the participants for this year’s TIFF Rising Alanis Obomsawin, director of Our People will be Healed Stars programme are Daniel Doheny, Mary Galloway, Théodore Pellerin and Ellen Wong. Alumni of this programme include Tatiana Maslany (Stronger, The Other Half, Two Lovers and a Bear, Orphan Black) and Sophie Nélisse (Mean Dreams, The Book Thief, Monsieur Lazhar). “This diverse group of actors embodies the extraordinary charisma, motivation and dedication our emerging Canadian talent has to offer,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of TIFF. The Canadian shorts selection will include 11 titles directed by women and three films by Indigenous filmmakers. Service: The 42nd edition of TIFF runs Sept. 7 through 17. Festival ticket packages available at tiff.net
Cory Bowles (centre), director of Black Cop, with Sohia Walker & Ronnie Rowe Jr (Talents)
Pat Mills, director of Don’t Talk to Irene
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Good prospects for Brazil-Canada commercial relations By Paulo de Castro Reis
On June 19, the Consulate General of Canada in Rio de Janeiro and the CCBC held a seminar on business and investment opportunities between the two nations, bringing together entrepreneurs from both countries, Canada’s ambassador to Brazil, Riccardo Savone (photo), and the Canada’s Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Evelyne Coulombe. The event integrated the celebrations of Canada’s 150 years.
When Mercosur resumed negotiating commercial agreements with Canada, Brazilians started seeing the country, beyond its academic or tourism strength. According to Delloite’s data, in 2016 Canadian companies ranked as the second largest investors in Brazil in terms of acquisitions – only behind China – and clearly there are many more opportunities in the future. In commerce, for instance, Canada ranked 18th in exports and 16th in imports in 2016. The trade balance was largely made up of ores and agricultural products (exports); and by machines and equipment, medications, airplanes and plastics (imports). According to a survey carried out by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), potentially 321 Brazilian products are eligible for export. Not surprisingly, the Federal Government of Brazil considers Canada a priority market.
Partnerships There are several partnership agreements between universities to foster research and student exchange programs, and, in the technology sector. Brazilians are working to be in contact with new technologies and investors, and access the North-American market. Canadians, on the other hand, target the significant Brazilian market and its several needs. On this 150th anniversary of Canada, CCBC has increased its participation to meet the business potential in the field of investments. Road shows are taking place in several Brazilian states. *Paulo de Castro Reis, Chief Officer of Institutional Relations and Business Affairs at CCBC (Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce).
NEWS IN BRIEF
Canada counts down to Invictus Games in September Report & Photo by Rosana Dias Lancsarics The city of Toronto is counting down to the third annual Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry - brother of Prince William and grandson of Queen Elizabeth - to showcase the heroism and athletic accomplishments of wounded service members and veterans. From September 23 to 30, 2017, more than 550 competitors (90 Canadian athletes), from 17 nations will compete in 12 adapted sports categories “The Invictus Games are far more than a seven-day sporting event. They are a means of rehabilitative therapy for the participating wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, and their families, “said Michael Burns (photo), CEO of Invictus Games Toronto 2017.
Service: Tickets can be purchased at invictusgames2017.com/tickets
LIUNA 506 More than $ 10,000 raised for Ephraim’s Place Community Centre Report & Photos by Luis Aparício
Roly Bernardini (centre) and Bill Sunberg (centre), with Carlo Ricci, Jessica Bernardini and John Mandarino
The Local 506 executive, led by Business Manager Carmen Principato, continues to support Ephraim’s Place Community Centre.
Through the combined efforts of the Locals 506 and 183, OPDC and LiUNA Canadian Tri-Fund, in association with the executive director of Ephraim’s Place Community Centre, Bill Sunberg, LIUNA organized a basketball tournament in which four teams participated. Throughout it all, there was a common feeling of solidarity. In its 4th year, the event celebrated the anniversary of the day in 2014 that a team of workers from LIUNA Local 506 joined the community and transformed an area in the centre of Toronto into a new place of pride, fun activities and entertainment for the local youth. “Ever since its first transformation, we have continued to show our commitment to clergyman Bill Sunberg by raising funds on multiple occasions, as a way of thanking him for a job well done,” said Roly Bernardini, president of LIUNA Local 506. The tournament raised more than $ 10,000. The money will help the community centre keep its doors open to develop a set of programs and extracurricular activities throughout the year.
Olhão mercado By the water
PORTUGAL | Culture
A different point of view on Algarve’s farmers’ markets Report & Photos by Gwen McCauley
M
arket (mercado) culture is deeply entrenched in the Portuguese psyche. Until recently everybody shopped there daily; many still do. It is the soul of Portuguese life: alive, vibrant, pulsing with vitality, colourful and playful.
Throughout the Algarve you’ll find designated mercado facilities in most towns, operating Mon-Sat, 8 am to 1 pm. And then there are ‘gypsy markets’, some associated with the mercado. Others rotate from village to village on Sunday mornings. Another regional tradition is that on Saturdays, local farmers set up stalls in the streets surrounding
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the mercado building. It becomes a fair-like, colourful experience, where locals and tourists alike meet with friends and family, shop for fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and cheese, enjoy a coffee, beer or glass of wine, while enjoying roving musical groups who fundraise while providing entertainment.
Loulé mercado building
And then I discovered the Olhão Saturday mercado. Smaller, more modest than Loulé for certain, but perched right on the edge of the ocean, it feels intimate, open to nature. A bit of the friendly country cousin vibe compared to the sophisticated city one. There are open parks on either side of it. Olhão’s twisted, narrow alleyways are across the street, offering a mix of shops, restaurants, cafés, colourful characters and a reminder of a way of life that is rapidly disappearing; it’s always a pleasure to wander its alleyways and hidden squares.
Saturday “mercados” Algarve’s most well-known Saturday mercados happen are in Loulé and Olhão, although Albufeira, Armação de Pèra and Vila Real de Santo Antonio also offer good mercado experiences. For years I was a Loulé mercado devotee. It is large, filled with a wide variety of stalls, many nearby shops, great pedestrian shopping streets, and scheduled activities. Each week there is a craft/flea/art/ antiques market in the historic district, in addition to all that is happening around the building.
Olhão produce vendor
Wild aspargus & others
As is so typical of all Portuguese markets, fish in Olhão is housed separately from produce and meat. The fish hall is noisy, with lovely tile work on the walls. Small mountains of the freshest possible fish and seafood are everywhere. Vendors happily scale, gut and prepare your purchase for cooking. In the meat and produce hall you’ll see displays with pig’s heads, poultry with feet and heads as well as
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Kumquats & onions Olhão
this are open tubs of local olives, honey, herbs, flowers, and bedding plants. Everyone seems to quickly find a favoured stall which they return to week after week. And the same goes for the cafés that populate the outside of the market buildings. Enjoy jazz with your coffee or mimosa? There’s a jazz café. Want to meet up with locals or long-term expats? There’s another where they all hang out. The Portuguese mercado might promote itself as a place to buy quality food. But in truth, it is a place to connect with your soul and the souls of others. Some time at a Saturday morning mercado is a must if you want to claim you’ve ‘experienced’ Portugal!
Saturday morning purchase
many cuts of fresh meats. Seasonally whole lambs or kids are for sale. Portuguese people are still connected to where their food comes from and are not afraid of confronting the animal from whence dinner originated. Count on a stunning variety of produce, a goodly amount of it grown in the greenhouses that occupy hectares of land throughout the Algarve. Trays of fresh raspberries in January anyone? Locally grown mangoes, pears, oranges, lemons, persimmons, bananas, lettuces, tomatoes, onions, carrots, leeks (called French Garlic) and so very much more. Mix with