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Brazilians in Toronto
By: Teka Silveira | Sotaque Brasileiro – Number 2, Summer 2003
Someone unaware, passing by the quadrangle of Dundas, Dufferin, Ossington and College, in west Toronto, is amazed to suddenly hear a “ôrra, meu!” or "uai !!!", or “é merrmo, meu irmão?”, or perhaps a “mas, bá, tchê!” or maybe “ó, xente!”.
If it were not for the weather or architecture you would surely forget you're in Canada. After all, on sidewalks, in shops, banks, public phones and public transportation, it is possible to hear the purest Portuguese. A surprise!
But soon after the initial impact, you end up getting used, here and there, to hear the familiar sounds of the various accents that identify the different regions of Brazil, in a veritable mini-Brazil lodged in this great North American metropolis.
Although Canada is not one of the main destinations targeted by the Brazilians, we have already left our mark here
To leave the country of origin is not an easy decision to make. Leaving the comforts of home for the unknown, takes courage and plenty of willingness to restart life with new goals. We have to deal, at least temporarily, with the references of Brazil and of the new country, at the same time.
Maria do Socorro Carlos Vidal, in her university thesis of doctorate in Social Sciences, presented in 2000 by the Catholic University of São Paulo, says "the fact that a visa was not required in Canada in the 80’s plus the difficulty of access imposed by the United States" has caused many Brazilians to think of Canada as a viable alternative destination.
The good news about the advantages of living in Canada, served as incentive to those who, somehow were already thinking about leaving Brazil. "I worked for a company in Minas Gerais that dealt with a lot of foreigners. I was secretary of the research sector and had to make contact with professionals from abroad. Meanwhile, a friend of mine who was studying in the province of Quebec told me things that encouraged me" said the businesswoman, Angela Mesquita, owner of a major Brazilian exchange house in Toronto.
Historian Rosana Barbosa Nunes, Carioca, has been living in Canada since 1986. According to her research, "our country's internal factors, such as disillusionment with the economic plans and rising levels of urban violence meant that increasingly, in the late 80s and early 90s, there was a search for Canada. At first, there was a predominance of middle class groups. Then came a large number of people with lower education levels. "
A permanent move to another country requires, in most cases, proper planning with medium to long term goal setting. Many Brazilian families who are in Canada came in search of what we call "quality of life." This trendy term has a wide range surrounding levels of education, public safety, material acquisition, access to culture and many other items.
The “baiano” couple Liviane Souza and Jaime Santos arrived four years ago with expectations of seeing new places, meeting new people plus the desire to live in a fair, efficient and organized country. Today Jaime owns a small construction company. "I intend to invest more and increase my business because the housing industry is growing steadily in Toronto," says Jaime. Liviane graduated in General Business from Seneca College and the job market shows promise for her, too. "No regrets!" says Liviane.
Also, in this universe of nearly 10,000 Brazilians living in Toronto, there are those who landed by the ways of the heart, as is the case of “paraense” Márcio Mendes, who moved to Toronto after meeting the Canadian Liu Lang . Today, he is a true promoter of Brazilian art and culture, as a professor of capoeira along with his wife. "I had already thought of the idea of living abroad. When I got here I had to work on other types of jobs. Capoeira was my part-time,” says Marcio.
Even with a good education level, both James and Márcio failed to get employment in their respective fields and had to find work on sectors that offer opportunities for the majority of Brazilians: construction, cleaning and restaurants.
Canadians generally have a very special love for Brazil. This was seen in the World Cups of 1994 and 2002, our last two major titles in football. The celebrations where the community is more centralized in Toronto left a yellow-green indelible mark in the city and are remembered, even today, with joy by all.
On a stroll through Queen Street West - famous for its diversity, antique dealers, design shops and sophisticated coffee shops - you can always hear the sounds of Brazilian music.
Brazilian jeans and lingerie are prominently featured in the store windows of Dufferin Mall, a major shopping and leisure center on the city's west side.
Even the Brazilian Carnival, the greatest show on earth, has come to Toronto. In the first half of the year there are two major carnival events mobilizing not only the Brazilian community, with special guests, but also the high wheels of Canadian society. In Toronto there are even two samba schools. And, amazingly, led by two Canadians, and most of the musicians are not Brazilian.
Alan Hetherington, head of one of the samba schools in Toronto, said that "the richness of the spirit of Brazilian culture is strong and attractive not only for Canadians but also for everyone else. Our goal now is to assemble a team and parade through the streets of Toronto with costumes and floats."
The majority of Brazilians who live here, in one time or another, are faced with new demands and real needs. Men and women from big cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, with high school or university degrees, are reported doing work they never thought of doing in Brazil or in low-qualified positions in their own fields. From the so-called menial jobs they maintain their families in Brazil (in many cases) and also have the opportunity to improve a second or third language, and the chance to increase their purchasing power.
The non-verbal language of Brazilians, however, is expressed by their commitment to work; by the joy and willingness with which they entrust themselves in events that attempt to reproduce the climate of their country; by the flexibility and creativity with which they solve their daily problems and by the Brazilianess of their irrefutable way of life.
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