About Us

Who we are

Established in 1973, the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) is a non-profit and independent business association held by the private sector with its primary objective to foster stronger commercial relations between Brazil and Canada. The Chamber is led by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of industry leaders and experts in conducting business between the two countries.

The BCCC plays a vital role in linking players from Brazilian and Canadian private and government sectors. Through networking, advocacy and insight, we assist our members to identify critical opportunities in expanding their commercial activities, and further their business interests across borders.

What We Offer

Access to an unrivalled network of institutions, executives/entrepreneurs conducting business between Brazil/Canada.

Access to Brazilian/Canadian dignitaries and trade-missions organized by public (e.g., Ministries) and private (e.g., Industry groups) stakeholders.

Exclusive sectoral events focused on identifying and promoting investment opportunities between Brazil and Canada (e.g., government priorities/projects, funding programs).

LET'S DO BUSINESS TOGETHER

BCCC Chapters

We are a proud Canada-wide chamber based in Toronto, ON, with five (5) chapters around the country: Ottawa, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta.

Gustavo Zentner
Co-Chair | InterPOC

Dave Owens
Co-Chair | Vale

Fernanda Whitaker
Co-Chair | Innovate BC

Ingrid Polini
Co-Chair |Maple Bridge Ventures

Bernadette Fernandes
Co-Chair | The Varanda Network

Peter Shaw
Co-Chair | Port Saint John

Laila Hawrylyshyn
Chair | Crestview Strategy

Patricia Garcia da Rosa
Chair | PGR Global Consulting

Henrique Bilbao
Co-Chair | Harpa Global

Alessandra Hoffmann
Co-Chair | EZOK

Operational Committees

Marcio Pereira
Chair | BMA Law

Adriano Trindade
Mattos Filho

Andrew Hastings
Lundin Mining

Edson Ribeiro
Vale S.A.

Daniel Ricica
Vice-Chair | KPMG

Alex Penha
4B Mining

Daniela Chimisso
Cescon Barrieu

Guilherme de Paula
Appian

Frederico Marques
Capzul

Ana Candida de Mello Carvalho
BMA Law

Diogo Oliveira
Appian

Richard Freund
Konker

Marcelo Sarkis
Co-Chair | Prima IP

Ana Cristina Muller
BMA Law

Dr. Margareth Zanchetta
Toronto Metropolitan University – TMU

Michael Vourakes
Cestar College

Ted Hewitt
(SSHRC)

Thiago Ligeiro
Innovexia

Raquel Boechat
Co-Chair | Canada Starthub

Eduardo Fleury
FCR Law

Bruno Guilhem
FCR Law

Richard McGregor
IRSL (Insitu)

Thiago Sombra
Mattos Filho

Salo Rapoport
CEscon Barrieu

Laura Wood
Chair | Centennial College

Henrique Silveira
Mattos Filho

Peter Hawkins
MELLOHAWK Logistics

Dr. Margareth Zanchetta
Vice-Chair |Toronto Metropolitan University – TMU

Marcelo Sarkis
Prima IP

Ted Hewitt
SSHRC

Micheal Vourakes
Cestar College

Tiago Martins
Seneca Polytechnic

Paulo Silva
Smrt English

Rafael Benke
Chair | Proactiva Results

Bruno Guillem
FCR Law

Victoria Barrington
Vale Base Metals

Bruno Guilhem
FCR Law

Edson Ribeiro
Vale S.A.

Juliana Ramalho
Mattos Filho

Marcelo Sarkis
Prima IP

Paola Saad
Mandala Group

Rebeca Manning
Maple Bear Group

Jamile Cruz
Vice-Chair | Rio Tinto

Diogo Oliveira
Appian Capital Brazil

Diogo Oliveira
Appian Capital Brazil

Elise Racicot
Appian Capital Brazil

Kate O’Reilly
Brookfield

Marcio Pereira
BMA Law

Ricardo Meirelles

Peter Visser
Maple Bear Group

Luciano Souza
Vice-Chair | Cescon Barrieu

Dr. Laura Methot
I&D 101

Ana Christina Muller
BMA Law

Guilherme de Paula
Appian Capital Brazil

Luciana Andrade

Michael Vourakes
Cestar College

Silvio Lima
Appian Capital Brazil

Peter Visser
Maple Bear Group

Daniela Chimisso

Co-Chair | Cescon Barrieu

Ana Candida de Mello

BMA Law

Shannon Blanchard

Port Saint John

Paola Saad

Co-Chair | Mandala Group

Bianca Lopes Barbosa

BMA Law

Gustavo Zentner

Interpoc

Philippe Jeffrey

Vice-Chair | FCR Law

Daniel Miranda

Mattos Filho

Paula Vieira

Mattos Filho

Our History

2019

BCCC executive board included: Cory McPhee, Co-Chairman; Daniel Ricica, Co-Chairman, Frederico Marques (McCarthy Tetrault), Paola Saad (Mandala Group), Peter Hawkins (Mellohawk Logistics), Marcelo Sarkis (Prima IP), Ted Hewitt (SSHRC)

2018

BCCC executive board included: Paulo Salomao, C0-Chairman; Cory McPhee, Co-Chairman; Paola Saad, President; Peter Hawkins, Vice-President

2017

BCCC executive board included: Paulo Salomao, C0-Chairman; Cory McPhee, Co-Chairman; Marcelo Sarkis, President; Paola Saad, Vice-President

2016

BCCC executive board included: Frederico Marques, Chairman; Paulo Salomao, Vice-Chair

2015

BCCC executive board included: Frederico Marques, Chairman; John Welch, Vice-Chairman.

2014

BCCC executive board included: Frederico Marques, Chairman; Cintia Zanellato, Vice-Chairman; Raul Papaleo, President.

2013

BCCC executive board included: Frederico Marques, Chairman; Cintia Zanellato, Vice-Chairman; Raul Papaleo, President; Fabiana Silva, Vice-President.

2012

BCCC executive board included: Eric Bonnor, Chairman; Frederico Marques, Vice-Chairman; Raul Papaleo, President; Fabiana Silva, Vice-President.

2011

BCCC executive board included: Eric Bonnor, Chairman; Eduardo Klurfan, Vice-Chairman; Raul Papaleo, President; Fabiana Silva, Vice-President.

In order to better enhance efficiency with the expansion of the Chamber, the BCCC decided to go on its own path and terminated its agreement with I.E Canada, opening its own office in Toronto. The e-newsletter was restructured and redesigned, adding more inputs from members and partners in order to adapt to the chamber’s plan of expansion. In February, the BCCC has opened a new Chapter in Montreal in order to better serve businesses interested in bilateral agreements between Quebec and Brazil.

The BCCC hosted a very successful 5th edition of Brazil-Canada at PDAC, where 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.

In March, the BCCC hired Mirian Ribeiro as Business Coordinator. In 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 member’s benefits and improved business categories.

2010

BCCC executive board included: Eduardo Klurfan, Chairman; Mary Anderson, President; Brigitte Grossmann Cairus, Vice-President.

The BCCC was able to get over 30 new members in the first semester, including Brookfield Asset Management (formerly Brascan), Export Development Corporation, Gerdau Ameristeel, Kinross Gold, Scotiabank, TAM Brazilian Airlines, Vale Inco Limited, Votorantim-St. Mary’s Cement, the International Trade Canada and several law firms and private individuals. The governments of Brazil, Canada, Ontario and Quebec actively support the BCCC and started a partnership that lasts until today. Our 4th edition of Brazil-Canada at PDAC had seminars presented by 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.

In May, Fabiana Silva became BCCC Vice-President.

In July, Mary Anderson stepped down as BCCC President.

In September, Raul Papaleo became BCCC President. In the same month, 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.

The CCA and BCCC decided 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..

The BCCC 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 President of I.E. Canada acted as President for the two associations.

The BCCC 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.

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 BCCC have shared a single management and administration, have had a number of board directors in common and co-operated on events.

1973

The Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) was established in Toronto. Its founding members include Alcan, Brascan and CIBC.

Management & Board of Directors

Daniel Ricica | KPMG

Co-Chair of the BCCC

Partner, Energy & Natural Resources at KPMG Canada

Peter Hawkins | MELLOHAWK Logistics

Co-Chair of the BCCC

Managing Director at  MELLOHAWK Logistics

Frederico Marques | Cescon Barrieu

Co-Founder & Executive Director 4B Mining Corp

Paola Saad |  Mandala Group

Director of the BCCC

President at Mandala Group

Ted Hewitt | SSHRC

Director of the BCCC

President at Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Marcelo Sarkis |Prima IP

Director of the BCCC

Founder & Senior Patent Agent at Prima IP

Edson Ribeiro | Vale Canada

Director of the BCCC

 Director of Exploration and Mineral Projects at Vale S.A.

Peter Hawkins | MELLOHAWK Logistics

Co-Chair of the BCCC

Managing Director at  MELLOHAWK Logistics

Daniel Ricica | KPMG

Co-Chair of the BCCC

Partner, Energy & Natural Resources at KPMG Canada

Andre Borges | Brookfield Asset Management

Director of the BCCC

Vice-President, Operations at Brookfield Asset Management

Eduardo Fleury | FCR Law

Director of the BCCC

Partner at FCR Law

Edson Ribeiro | Vale Base Metals

Director of the BCCC

Head of Exploration and Mineral Projects at Vale Base Metals

Márcio Pereira| BMA Law

Director of the BCCC

Partner, Environmental at BMA Law 

Frederico Marques  |  4B Mining

Director of the BCCC and Chair of the BCCC Mining Committee

Co-founder and Executive Director of 4B Mining

Gustavo Zentner | Interpoc Inc.

Director of the BCCC and Chair of the BCCC Winnipeg Chapter

President at Interpoc Inc.

Jamile Cruz | I&D 101

Director of Joint Ventures and Country Manager, Brazil

Rio Tinto

John Welch | Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce

Director of the BCCC and Honorary Member

Founder and CEO at Research for Emerging Markets (REM), Inc.

Marcelo Sarkis| Prima IP

Director of the BCCC and Co-Chair of BCCC IST Committee

Senior Patent Agent and Principal at Pima IP

Rafael Benke| PROACTIVA Results

Director of the BCCC and Co-Chair of the BCCC ESG Committee

CEO & Founder at PROACTIVA Results

Paola Saad| Mandala Group

Director of the BCCC and Co-Chair of the Trade & Investment Committee

President at Mandala Group

Dr. Daniela Chimisso | Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch and Barreto Advogados

Director of the BCCC and Co-Chair of the Trade & Investment Committee

Non-Executive Director, Sustainability Expert, Of Counsel, Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados

Ricardo Meirelles

Director of the BCCC

Ted Hewitt | Social Science and Humanities Research Council

Director of the BCCC and Honorary Member

President at Social Science and Humanities Research Council

Raquel Boechat  Ι  Canada Starthub

Director of the BCCC and Co-Chair of the BCCC IST Committee

Founder and CEO of Canada Starthub

Alma Farias

BCCC Vice-President (2007 – 2009)

Ambassador Ana Lelia Beltrame

Consul General of Brazil in Toronto

John Welch

BCCC Vice-Chair (2015 / 2016)

Executive Director at the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce

Mary Anderson

BCCC President (2005 – 2010)

Raul Papaleo

BCCC President (2012-2014)

Ted Hewitt

President at Social Services and Humanities Research Council

Ambassador Piragibe dos Santos Tarrago

Brazilian Ambassador to Canada (2011 – 2013)

Ambassador Afonso Jose Sena Cardoso

Former Consul-General of Brazil in Toronto

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