The BCCC was established in 1973 to promote closer business relations between Canada and Brazil. Based in Toronto, the founding members included Alcan, Brascan, and CIBC. Since its formation, the Chamber has been associated with its sister organization in Brazil, the Câmara do Comércio Brasil-Canadá, based in São Paulo.
Below is a brief history of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce:
2011 – BCCC executive board included: Eric Bonnor, Chairman; Eduardo Klurfan, Vice-Chairman; Raul Papaleo, President; Fabiana Silva, Vice-President.
January- Numerous changes were made in order to better enhance efficiency with the expansion of the BCCC.
First, the Chamber had the pleasure of opening a new office, located at 401 Bay Street, Suite 1608.
Second, the Chamber decided to go on its own path and terminated its agreement with I.E. Canada, remarkable association which used to manage the Chamber’s office.
Third, the Chamber restructured and redesigned its e-newsletter, which is now sent bi-weekly on Thursdays. The new version will continue with the same features as before but with a new design and more inputs from our members and directors.
February – The BCCC is expanding its activities and opened a new Chapter in Montreal in order to better serve businesses interested in investment or trade between Quebec and Brazil.
February – The BCCC co-hosted a breakfast seminar that counted with the participation of the Canadian Consul-General in São Paulo, Ms. Abina Dann.
March - In the 5th Edition of the Brazil-Canada at PDAC 2011, major prominent figures from the Brazilian government attended and participated with presentations. Notably Claudio Scliar, the Secretary of Mines of the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil; Piragibe Tarrago, the new Brazilian Ambassador to Canada.
March- The BCCC hired Mirian Ribeiro as Business Coordinator.
June- The BCCC Chapter of Quebec’s breakfast presentation of Brazilian sector opportunities featured a presentation from Ms. Abina Dann, the Canadian Consul-General in São Paulo.
July- The BCCC launched its new website featuring new functionalities to better accommodate the growing demand of members.
In order to enhance efficiency, the BCCC developed new and increased members benefits and improved business categories.
2010 – BCCC executive board included: Eduardo Klurfan, Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Brigitte Grossmann Cairus, Vice-President.
January – the BCCC has 30 members, including the following companies: Brookfield Asset Management (formerly Brascan), Export Development Corporation, Gerdau Ameristeel, Kinross Gold, Scotiabank, TAM Brazilian Airlines and Votorantim-St. Mary’s Cement. Other members include International Trade Canada and several law firms and private individuals.
March - the BCCC has more than 50 members including the following companies: Brookfield Asset Management (formerly Brascan), Export Development Canada Corporation, GerdauAmeristeel, Kinross Gold, Research in Motion, Scotiabank, Votorantim, Vale Inco Limited. Other members include Colliers International, law firms and private individuals. The governments of Brazil, Canada, Ontario and Quebec actively support the BCCC. In 2009/2010 a number of new members were attracted from Brazil to become members.
Speakers participating in the event “Brazil-Canada at PDAC 2010″ included the Honourable Marie-P. Charette Poulin, Senator and Counsel in the International Affairs Group of Heenan Blaikie; Ambassador Paulo Cordeiro, the Brazilian Ambassador to Canada, among others.
May – Fabiana Silva became BCCC Vice-President
July – Mary Anderson stepped down as BCCC President
September – Raul Papaleo became BCCC President.
The Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil (MDIC) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a Brazilian Trade Mission to Canada. Speakers included Ivan Ramalho, Vice Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil; Louis Lévesque, Deputy Minister of International Trade of Canada; Paulo Cordeiro, Brazilian Ambassador to Canada; and Eric Bonnor, Chairman of the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce.
2009 – BCCC executive board included: Eduardo Klurfan, Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Brigitte Grossmann Cairus, Vice-President; Ceres Silva and Fabiana Silva, interns.
2008 – BCCC executive board included: Eduardo Klurfan, Chairman; Ken Frankel, Vice-Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Alma Farias, Vice President.
June- The CCA and BCCC determined to work independently. The BCCC continued to work with the service contract under I.E. Canada.
2007 – BCCC executive board included: Eduardo Klurfan, Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Alma Farias, Vice President.
December – The Chamber launched a web-based portal for Brazil-Canada investors, exporters and importers, www.brazcan.org (current www.brazcanchamber.org)
2006 – BCCC executive board included: Eduardo Klurfan, Chairman; Bob Armstrong, Vice-Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Ana M. Lozano, Vice-President.
2005 – BCCC executive board included: Alan V. Dean, Chairman; Bob Armstrong, Vice-Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Ana M. Lozano, Vice-President.
2004 – BCCC executive board included: Alan V. Dean, Chairman; Tim Plumptre, Vice-Chairman; Robert (Bob) J. Armstrong, President; Ana M. Lozano, Vice-President.
2003 – The BCCC and the CCA approached I.E. Canada to provide management and administrative support for their activities. Under this arrangement, the two organizations paid a fee for service to I.E. Canada, and the President of I.E. Canada acted as President for the two associations.
January - the Chamber established a strategic alliance with the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters in order to offer a more integrated approach to business opportunities in the Americas.
May - the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce holds an event with Ron Davidson, Consul General of Canada in São Paulo, Brazil.
September – First joint event with the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Montreal. Luncheon with Mr. James Mohr-Bell, Executive Director of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo. Breakfast in Toronto with Mr. James Mohr-Bell, Executive Director of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo.
November – joint half-day seminars with the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Montreal and Toronto. “Brazil Trade and Investment Seminars”.
1995 - The Chamber formed a strategic alliance with the Canadian Council for the Americas (the CCA), a Canadian business association promoting Canadian business interests in the Caribbean and Latin America outside Brazil.
From that date, the CCA and Chamber have shared a single management and administration, have had a number of board directors in common and co-operated on speakers and other events.
1973 – The Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) was established as a business association whose primary objective is to foster stronger commercial relations between Canada and Brazil. The BCCC is headquartered in Toronto and plays a vital role linking players from private and government sectors who work together to strengthen bilateral trade and investments opportunities between Canada and Brazil.
