A Tribute to the Portuguese Immigrant

50th Anniversary
? A Tribute to the Portuguese Immigrant
500 plus years ago, Portuguese Navigators set foot on the lands we now call
“Canada”.
50 plus years ago, Portuguese settlers
explored opportunities from the shores of
the Atlantic trough to the Great Coast of
the Pacific.
On May 10th, 2003, Canada formally recognized the 50th anniversary of the official
landing of Portuguese Immigrants with a
ceremony and special presentations held
at Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In attendance were approximately
eighty participants, including the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business &
Professionals, government dignitaries
from Portugal and the Province of Nova
Scotia, members of Luso Canadian organizations and of course some 10 members of
“the first Portuguese Pioneers to arrive in
Halifax on May 13th, 1953”.
The presentations were impressive and
everlasting as a plaque with a commemorative inscription and a flat wood carving
depicting Portuguese settlers in Canada
over the last 500 years are to be permanent fixtures of the museum located at
Pier 21, Halifax - the place of disembarkation for many of the immigrants to this
country.
to what extent does it compare to the personal traits of our members?
Of course, we can never make up for
time and experience, however, as business
and professional people, we do share a
sense of adventure, we possess the ability
to analyze and take risks, we have the
drive to succeed, the agility to handle multiple tasks at the same time and above all,
we possess the generous quality of building and sharing with others.
Who would have done it? Probably people like you and I looking for a better place
and for a better opportunity through risk
taking and hard work.
My congratulations to the organizing
committee, which the Federation was an
invited member, and best wishes to the Pioneers who made it to Halifax and those
who will receive their medals at the presentations scheduled for May 13th, in Toronto.
In closing, let me wish you “good navigating on all your present and future adventures and May the risks you take be
outweighed by your successes”.
Ermidio F. Alves,
President of the Federation
I couldn’t help it, but to analyze and reflect on what it must have been like to
make that trip 50 years ago, who would
have done it and why?
What type of personality did it take and
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
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? O Sucesso dos Empresários na nossa Comunidade
Os êxitos alcançados pela Comunidade
Portuguesa neste país, assim como as suas
exemplares qualidades de relacionamento
e integração na sociedade de acolhimento
- êxitos e qualidade que registo e saliento
com muito apreço e orgulho - estão na origem do respeito que os canadianos e as
suas autoridades manifestam pelos portugueses, reconhecendo a sua contribuição
para o desenvolvimento e modernização
deste grande País.
Alguns exemplos dessa contribuição são
visíveis na importância e peso económico
que a Comunidade Portuguesa usufrui em
numerosos sectores da economia, tais
como as áreas dos serviços de distribuição
alimentar, dos transportes, da construção
civil, dos têxteis e da metalo-mecânica,
destacando-se inclusivamente alguns grupos económicos e financeiros de dimensão verdadeiramente nacional, que constituem uma flagrante demonstração do
sucesso alcançado pelos portugueses neste país. As Comunidades Portuguesas, representadas por mais de quatro milhões e
meio de portugueses e luso-descendentes,
assumem-se hoje como a fatia da população portuguesa com a maior capacidade
de produção de riqueza, traduzida nos investimentos que regularmente enviam
para o nosso país,comparáveis aos fundos
comunitários que Portugal recebe da
União Europeia e muito acima das receitas
provenientes do turismo.
Por outro lado, o relevante contributo
das nossas comunidades no estrangeiro, já
não é de natureza exclusivamente económica, mas alarga-se, igualmente, às esferas, social e cultural, o que muitas vezes os
nossos governantes portugueses se esquecem.
O empresário português no Ontário,
projecta o futuro, cuida do presente e re-
solve os problemas do quotidiano assistindo assim no desenvolvimento de novos
empreendimentos. Ao projectar e resolver
os problemas do futuro,aproveita as oportunidades que lhe surgem, a globalização
as novas tecnologias e a auto-sustentabilidade exigida pela sociedade presente, tendo em mente que essa sociedade tende a
transformar-se constantemente, sem esquecer o aumento de longevidade do homem devido ao progresso da medicina
moderna.
Uma coisa, no entanto, permanece: todos sonham em conseguir o sucesso pessoal ou profissional. O sucesso porém não
é uma lotaria nem uma montanha que podemos escalar. O sucesso é algo que muitos têm conseguido aqui entre nós, por
vezes com muito sacríficio e trabalho. Para
isto desenvolvem novos hábitos que muitas vezes fazem a diferença.
Não é fácil ser-se diferente nesta aldeia
global tão competitive.Criatividade é o
que determina essa diferença entre as pessoas, o resultado do trabalho,e o sucesso.
A inovação duma empresa,a criação novos
produtos,a modernização dos já existentes, a redução de custos,o melhoramento
da distribuição, incremente o desenvolvimento profissional dos seus subordinados, a identificação das oportunidades, a
simplificação dos processos,é parte do
todo que constitui essa diferença.
Através do desenvolvimento da imaginação, sensibilidade e intelecto, o empresário percebe as reais necessidades do homem e procura satisfazê-las. Esse é um
processo que transforma os factos que por
sua vez, transforma o mundo de cada empresa e não só. É grande o poder da transformação quando se tem a visão dum futuro melhor.
Tenho a certeza que a Federação dos
Empresários Portugueses se orgulha, e
com muitas razões, do sucesso dos seus filiados. Parabéns à Federação e a esses que
contribuiem para o progresso da sociedade portuguesa no Canadá.
Liberal do Couto
? Choosing the Right Mortgage
In today’s market, many customers
are looking at variable rate solutions
that are tied to the Prime rate, so that
they can take advantage of current low
rates.
Today’s rates are good, yet they’re
likely to move upward over the coming
months. No one knows when or by
how much. Some of us who presently
have variable rate mortgages can become anxious about rising rates. Depending on the individual’s preference,
consideration must be given to possibly converting to a fixed rate option.
Depending on the institution, you may
be able to keep both a variable and
fixed rate component in your mortgage. This way, you have the best of
both worlds.
Fixed rate mortgages provide fewer
options than variable rate mortgages
but will give you peace of mind. These
mortgages are likely closed. Should you
decide to take advantage of the equity
in your home by selling it, you may encounter a large penalty. Negotiate with
your institution; there may be options
available to help reduce the penalty.
In today’s competitive market place,
discounts are common. Discussing
these options with your bank can prove
to be of benefit to you in the long run.
If a fixed rate mortgage is the preferred
option for you, shop around carefully
for the Right Rate Mortgage, options
are numerous and benefits are plenty.
Many times we find ourselves assisting our children with their first home.
This is sometimes challenging as they
likely may not have the required down
payment. You will be pleased to know
that there are options in the market
place where you can obtain mortgage
financing without having a down payment. It is wise to discuss these options with your bank and most importantly review all of the options available
to you in the market place.
Scholarship Application Deadline is September 15, 2003.
Please visit our website at www.fpcbp.com for more information and
application download
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Luis M. Salvador
Scotiabank
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
? Scholarships: A Pioneering Event
This year as we celebrate the 50th year of official Portuguese
immigration to Canada, we honour many of the Pioneers. What
many may not recall is that the Federation of Portuguese Canadian & Business Professionals pioneered the annual scholarship
awards to students of Portuguese descent in this community.
A project initiated 21 years ago has not only sustained itself but
has increased the monetary awards as well as the number of beneficiaries each year. The scholarship program was started to provide assistance to students of Portuguese descent attending post
secondary educational institutions. In the year 2000, it was extended to students attending the final year of secondary educational institutions. Hence, it now covers students in the final year
of high school, undergraduate, postgraduate including doctoral
candidates.
needs to be done!
The Committee is looking this year to redouble its efforts with
the hopes of reaching many of our young professionals and young
business members who have previously benefited from the scholarships. We will be approaching them with the view and hope
that they will reattribute the good deeds thereby showing their
gratitude, we invite members to canvass their colleagues either in
the same professions or businesses towards possibly contributing jointly to a scholarship.
Last year, as a result of efforts of some of our members, many of
the lawyers practicing in the community jointly contributed to a
scholarship. We are hoping that a similar effort can be undertaken among the other professionals as well as businesses.
As evidence of our track record for the past 21 years, is the fact
that there are many professionals and business people who are
either practicing, carrying on business in our community and who
at one time were beneficiaries of the Federation’s Scholarships.
In the final analysis, the responsibility belongs to all members.
The scholarships have always served as, a recognition of our
youth but as an incentive for them to persevere in their scholastic
pursuits.
In order to sustain this Scholarship Program every year businesses and individuals are canvassed for donations by the Scholarship Committee composed of volunteers. These volunteers canvass major institutions, medium size companies and many
individual small businesses. Growth can be attributed not only to
the efforts of the volunteers but as well as to the generosity of
many individuals. We have no doubt the efforts of volunteers coupled with the sustained commitment of corporate donors and the
generosity of many individuals will continue. However, a lot more
Finally, if you know of any students who are interested, invite
them to visit our website at http://www.fpcbp.com for further information. At the site, students will also have an opportunity to
download Application forms. (Deadline for submissions is September 15, 2003).
Fernando D. Costa
Co-Chair Scholarship Committee
2003 FPCBP Golf Tournament
? ... Come tame the Bear
The Federation of Portuguese Canadian
Business & Professionals is proud to announce the 2003 FPCBP Golf Tournament, which is scheduled for Tuesday
July 8th, will be held at Whistle Bear Golf
Club, one of Ontario’s most exciting new
courses.
Situated less than five minutes off the
401 Highway, on the outskirts of Cambridge, Whistle Bear is strategically
placed to attract the Toronto area golfer
who enjoys first-class service, a challenging championship length golf course,
captivating scenery and a relaxing environment, that all make for a memorable
day.
The championship-length links style
course is built over 178 acres of a
232-acre property, that Cabral and two
partners, Carlos Da Silva and Arnold Van
Winden purchased in May 1999. Cabral
and his work crews, who have years of experience laying sewers and watermains
in industrial and residential subdivisions,
went to work in an exhausted 60-acre
gravel pit and on rolling farmland to develop the course. In 2002, the realization
of a dream opened to the public with rave
reviews.
“We’re going after the golfers who enjoy the experience of playing an Angus
Glen, Lionhead or Wooden Sticks,’’ says
Cabral, who specifically chose the location for its easy access to Canada’s busiest highway.
We think it’s going to be a wonderful
challenge, and a memorable day, for the
many members and friends of the FPCBP
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
who enjoy golf at its finest.
Their catch line is: “If you have ever
wondered what it might be like to wrestle a bear, Whistle Bear Golf Club has
come up with the next best thing – try
taming one!” and we certainly are looking forward to it. If you would like to
know more about Whistle Bear Golf Club,
please go to their web site at:
www.whistlebear.ca.
Please call our office at (416) 537-8874,
or e-mail to fpcbp@bellnet.ca to reserve
your spot now.
We look forward to seeing you there on
the 8th.
Joe Almeida
Golf Committee Chairman, 2003
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? Lugar para Continuidade e em Novos Desafios
Desde 1999, como Cônsul-Geral de Portugal em Toronto, o Dr. João Perestrello
está em vias de terminar o seu mandato
com a próxima missão apontada para Sidney.
Face às exigências de um dos Postos de
maior volume de trabalho e área de competência e dimensão da comunidade que
lhe corresponde, o Dr. Perestrello sempre
encarou, com grande ânimo, as múltiplas
responsabilidades inerentes ao cargo, demonstrando a maior flexibilidade e
abertura de espírito a qualquer desafio.
A nível externo, preocupou-se com a afirmação dos clubes e associações portugueses do Ontário, despertando a permuta de
interesses entre eles, visando uma maior
coesão no seio da comunidade portuguesa
para garantir, no contexto sócio-político,
uma
promoção do estatuto e
representatividade da mesma.
No campo profissional e empresarial
sempre incentivou os jovens à formação
profissional e diligenciou para que os empresários luso-canadianos manifestassem
o seu potencial, realçando, na área do pro-
A nível cultural e académico envolveu-se
activamente na defesa e promoção da Língua e Cultura portuguesas, incentivando
imensos projectos e campanhas, promovendo conferências e debates e a
divulgação de autores e artistas.
Politicamente, privilegiou as relações
protocolares, estimulou a participação e
representatividade política de luso-canadianos, quer a nível municipal e provincial,
quer a nível federal e projectou a imagem
dos portugueses dando-lhes maior visibilidade, face ao governo canadiano e, ainda,
participou, com grande sucesso, na organização de várias visitas de entidades e
membros do governo português, donde se
destacou, em 2000, a Visita de Estado de
S.Exª Senhor Presidente da República, Dr.
Jorge Sampaio.
Pioneiros e jovens lusitanos na inauguração do painel de azulejos portugueses, a 7 de Junho de 2003, em
comemoração de 50 Anos de presença oficial portuguesa no Canadá. Um convite do TTC aos Profissionais e
Empresários a abdicarem do seu carro e a libertarem-se da tensão do tráfico das horas de ponta,
inspirando-se noutras rotas da nossa diáspora expostas na Estação de Metro do Queen’s Park, em Toronto.
Foto gentilmente cedida pelo jornal “O Milénio”
A nível interno, sempre encorajou a participação dos seus colaboradores, partilhando sugestões para a melhoria do serviço público, favorecendo melhores
condições de trabalho (incluindo a criação
de uma página na Internet – www.cgportugaltoronto.com – cuja recolha de informações lhe exigiu um árduo e crítico contributo) e formação com vista a um
atendimento mais adequado, face às constantes e crescentes solicitações que se têm
imposto por parte de uma comunidade,
cuja participação e interesse têm vindo a
aumentar significativamente.
4
fissionalismo, o papel essencial dos órgãos
de Comunicação Social para a acreditação
daquela capacidade.
No aspecto social, muito contribuiu para
a melhoria de condições prisionais dos detidos portugueses, oferecendo-lhes apoio
e encorajamento personalizado, acalentando-lhes a esperança de um futuro melhor. Apoiou diversas associações de cariz
social, nomeadamente de idosos, mulheres e, em geral, dos mais desfavorecidos, a
par com a distinção e o reconhecimento
aos membros do Clero nesta mesma
acção.
A destacar, ainda, a marca da presença
oficial de 50 Anos de Emigração Portuguesa, recentemente inaugurada, através de
um painel de azulejos que sugere a nossa
diáspora, na Estação de Metro do Queen’s
Park, em Toronto, que se deve ao contributo de vários artistas e entidades oficiais
e, também, ao Dr. João Perestrello da qual
foi acérrimo defensor e propulsor.
O seu apoio foi incansável, denotando
lucidez e perspicácia, oferecendo, de forma afável e oportuna, a sua solidariedade,
juntamente com sua mulher, Jane Button
Perestrello, que também acarinhou e atenuou este projecto de tão extraordinárias
dimensões.
Em nome de inúmeras pessoas que tiveram o privilégio de os conhecer ficam aqui
expressos a gratidão e votos sinceros de
sucesso pessoal e profissional para o novo
Posto.
Palmira Almeida
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
? A Federação no Mês de Portugal
A marcar as Bodas de Ouro da comunidade portuguesa no Canadá, a Federação
Luso-Canadiana de Empresários e Profissionais organizou, quarta-feira, 18 de Junho
do ano grande, um dos seus habituais jantares de trabalho. O objectivo principal era
juntar alguns dos seus membros e convidados em torno da ideia de cantar Portugal e a História e Cultura do país.
O mês de Junho foi declarado o Mês do
Património Cultural Português em Toronto. Por isso, a Federação de Empresários e
Profissionais Luso-Canadianos, cada vez
mais ligada à comunidade a que pertence,
entendeu ser a altura ideal para lançar uma
“web page” - portugueseheritage.ca - dedicada à cultura portuguesa e à herança
cultural de tanta gente que abriu o caminho às gerações agora a despontar.
Uma “web page” que foi desenhada e
concebida tecnicamente por Jose Freire, o Oficial Executivo da Federação,
mas que continua na fase de construção. O projeto irá durar um ano e o
produto final sera um local unico para
a juventude usar e adquirirem toda
informação sobre Portugal, e a
comunidade Luso-Canadiana.
Depois, era a apresentação de um livro que é produto de muita pesquisa,
apoiada financeiramente pela Federação e pelo Ministério da Cidadania.
O Exmo. Sr. Carl DeFaria esteve presente, interessando-se por todo o desenvolvimento das cerimónias promovidas pela Federação, agora, sob a direcção de Ermídio
Alves, um presidente que tem estado à altura das circunstâncias numa organização
como a Federação que assume, de há muito, a responsabilidade de representar a co-
munidade em tarefas que têm a ver com o
comércio e a indústria, bem como na apresentação, junto dos canadianos, da nossa
forma de estar.
perar em termos de conhecimento das
nossas coisas. O ministro Carl DeFaria falou da comunidade portuguesa, agora a
viver as suas Bodas de Ouro.
Organização sem fins lucrativos, agora
com 22 anos, a FPCBP tem vindo a organizar seminários, conferências e eventos,
para além de apoiar com as bolsas de estudo criadas muitos estudantes
de origem portuguesa.
“Shared Histories, Across
The Atlantic - The Story of
Portuguese Canadians” é um
livro a jeito de perspectiva
canadiana escrito e concebido por Dra. Shehla Burney,
professora da Queen’s University. O livro representa
como que uma montagem de
imagens e palavras, ideias e
opiniões e abre caminhos aos
que pretenderem estudar e
pensar
nos
assuntos
abordados.
Como se diz na nota que seria para os estudantes, o livro dá factos e opiniões. Providencia os que se interessarem pelo assunto vários pontos de vista para que cada
qual possa pensar pela sua própria cabeça.
Inclui fotos antigas e modernas e alguns
excertos de Jornais, Poesia, Ficção, bem
como testemunhos de pessoas. De resto,
há no livro uns lampejos da História de
Portugal, sobretudo na sua componente
relativa aos descobrimentos.
Nas palavras proferidas logo no início,
Ermídio Alves situou a acção, agradecendo
a presença de quantos enchiam o salão do
Europa Catering. José Freire falou sobre a
Web Page e no muito que dela se pode es-
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
Na apresentação do livro, Dra. Shehla
Burney deu conta dos trabalhos desenvolvidos, da forma como foi ao encontro dos
factos apresentados. Para terminar houve
um período de perguntas e respostas, a
que se seguiu a distribuição do livro e
autógrafos.
Ela mencionou a sua gratidão à Federação pela sua apreciação entusiástica da sua pesquisa e escrita sobre a migração, a cultura, a
identidade, e contribuições portuguesas, que foi projectada originalmente como uma pedagogia para estudantes ensinando sobre a sua
cultura. Os esforços de FPCBP, nos
detalhes o auxílio oportuno de José
Freire, Nuno Ferreira e de Rita De
Melo - em encontrar-se e completar
dentro do prazo foi verdadeiramente impressionante. A FPCBP com sua
visão através de lançamento da Web
page (Portugueseheritage.ca) e do lançamento do livro "Através do Atlântico: A história de canadenses portugueses" é certamente, completamente comendável. É um
testemunho às diásporas etnoculturais
crescentes e à sua contribuição.
Agradecimento: Obrigado ao Sol Português
pela fotografia usada neste artigo.
5
? Meeting for Action - Reunir Para Agir • A Project of the Portuguese-Canadian National Congress
The Portuguese Canadian National Congress (the ‘Congress’) is a national organization that functions at local and national
levels representing nearly 400,000 Canadians of Portuguese heritage to:
• Provide a national voice to
Portuguese-Canadians
• Function as a consultative body,
working with governments,
communities and institutions to
monitor legislation that affects our
community
• Assist in the preservation and
promotion of our culture
• Defend and protect the rights of
Portuguese-Canadians
• Assist Portuguese-Canadians to better
participate and integrate in Canadian
Society
• Facilitate communication and
cooperation between the Portuguese
communities and other ethnic groups
• Promote positive relations between
Canada and Portugal
Near the end of 2002, the Portuguese Canadian National Congress launched a
two-year community-action project to implement the recommendations and directions outlined in its 1998 National Needs
FPCBP Executive Officer
? José Carlos Freire
Born in Aveiro, Portugal in 1962, he arrived in Canada in 1975. In 1982 he Graduated Secondary School with honors. In
1986 he graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science. His need for
continuous development led him to Control Data Institute, where he graduated in
1987. He later attended the Toronto
School of Business graduating in 1994,
and most recently graduated from the Canadian Business College in 1998. Upon
graduation from University of Toronto he
joined a Downtown Brokerage Firm as an
Office Administrator (1987-1991). He
was offered an opportunity at Citizenship
and Immigration Canada, under the ISAP
Program, and he accepted a career at the
Portuguese Social Service Center. He
acted as Senior Settlement Counselor
6
Assessment study, “Portuguese-Canadians
From Sea to Sea”*. The goal of the Meeting for Action/Reunir Para Agir project is to
promote integration, capacity-building
and the formation of government-community partnerships in the Portuguese-Canadian community through the organization
of a series of regional roundtables in areas
across Canada of high Portuguese-Canadian concentration, as well as a national
policy and planning meeting to develop a
coherent national policy and coordinating
mechanisms for the projects identified
during the regional roundtables.
The roundtable meetings will bring Portuguese-Canadian community organizations and activists together with representatives of key government and other
public-sector stakeholders, thereby providing an opportunity for these groups to
learn about the results of the 1998 Needs
Assessment, and facilitating a planning
process that will allow community members to identify and formulate community
action strategies that address the issues
outlined in the Needs Assessment. In the
end, the goal of each roundtable is to develop at least one community action project to address the issue of concern identified as priority for that community, be it
(1991-1992), was promoted to ISAP Program Coordinator (1992-1999) and was
also given the added responsibility of Administrative Assistant (1994-1999). Due
to funding cuts to the ISAP Programs the
PSSC closed and he joined the OM Corporation where he exercised the role of Executive Director (1999-2003). OM Corporation is a not-for-profit organization
devoted to developing educational, information, and lifestyle management
products, systems, and services based on
evolving principles of organization and
co-operation. They specialize in
providing organizational design and
support for charitable, community, and
not-for-profit organizations.
He believes that intention, or motive, is
the most important factor determining
quality of life and personal fulfillment.
Similarly, the collective intentions of the
members of a Federation must operate
from a place of vision and due concern
for its community and the environment.
related to education, political and civic
participation, preservation of Portuguese
language and culture, integration into Canadian society, etc.
The Congress is currently working with
Volunteer Facilitators (and their Local Organizing Committees) to plan and deliver
10 Regional Roundtables from coast to
coast: Halifax, Montreal, Sudbury, London,
Toronto (2), Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton
and Vancouver.
To receive ongoing updates about the
project (as well as other notices of interest
to
the
national
Luso-Canadian
community), register your email address
for Congress list. For more details, see
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/congresso_
list/.
Other opportunities to learn more about
the Congress and this project include:
Novitas Newsletter – This newsletter is
published on a quarterly basis and distributed to individuals and organizations
across Canada. Featuring a lead article,
submissions from Congress Executive, Directors, Delegates and Representatives
(continued on page 7)
He sees a need to achieve this balance,
both within and outside of itself. He is a
creative and visionary leader with passion for the development and growth of
the Federation of Portuguese Canadian
Businesses and Professionals. He is able
to provide leadership in the development
and implementation of programs, identifying and managing funding opportunities, policy and research development,
communications/marketing, and assisting in the preparation and management
of the Federation’s annual budget and
sustaining effective Board relations.
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
(continued from page 6)
Scotiabank
(and others) from across the country, and
News (new information and announcements) and Community Corner (stories
from and of interest to Luso-Canadian
communities). An upcoming issue will be
devoted to the Regional Roundtables.
? Banking Products Worth Considering
Maybe it is as simple as being able to
check your account balance to see if you
can cover an unexpected expense. Or
confirm instantly that you’ve paid the
water bill or made your mortgage payment. It means you can pay bills from
the deck of your cottage, transfer funds
when you’re traveling. Above all, these
are great convenience tools that we can
access and are sometimes hesitant to
try. One thing is for sure, those who
take the step and try these banking
tools, we never go back to the old ways.
Congress Website, www.congresso.ca –
Includes: a) information on the history of
the Congress, and its mission; b) a What’s
New section that includes copies of Congress news releases, and other items of interest; c) Meeting for Action Project updates; d) an Events Calendar; e) Congress
publications, including a downloadable
copy of the National Needs Assessment,
Portuguese Canadians from Sea to Sea
(Nunes, 1998). Coming soon will be links
to Canadian and international websites of
interest to Portuguese-Canadian community, past and recent issues of the Congress newsletter, and more.
It all starts with your bank card. The
card that gives you access to all of your
banking needs, regardless of where you
are. Whether it is instant cash in Portugal or Vancouver, telephone or wireless
banking. This is a must have in today’s
banking world. Simply put, it identifies
you as a customer and in most cases
holds your electronic signature (pin).
For more information about the Meeting
for Action/Reunir Para Agir Project, contact:
Ana Paula Almeida, Project Coordinator
Maria Judas, Project Assistant
With today’s fast paced society where
credit is as valued as your health, it is important to keep your credit unblemished. Your credit history is used to
qualify you for all of your credit needs.
Many times a simple insignificant charge
can prevent you from obtaining your
dream home. Whether you need to rent
a car, purchase a cellular phone, purchase furniture, and even open a bank
1081 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1M6
Tel: 416-532-3233 • Fax: 416-532-8703
Email: apalmeida@congresso.ca;
mjudas@congresso.ca
*A copy of this study (and executive summaries in English and Portuguese) can be accessed
by visiting www.congresso.ca.
account. Your credit will be reviewed
and a decision on the pending relationship made based on your past credit history.
As our population grows older and we
find ourselves caring for our parents, it is
good to know that we can get help from
our financial institution. Through their
Private Client Groups or Wealth Management Partners, they can arrange for wills,
powers of attorney, estate management,
tax preparation etc. The list is endless.
It will give you peace of mind and time
for your own busy lifestyle requirements.
Investment services provide us with
the opportunity to increase our returns
based on the risk we are prepared to accept. Although many of us still like to
keep our GIC’s (Guaranteed Investment
Certificates), other options are available
such as self managed accounts or accounts where a financial adviser will give
you recommendations based on your
needs and risk tolerance. Whether you
decide to invest in bonds, stocks or mutual funds, there is room to improve
your returns, yet maintain an acceptable
risk level.
Luis M. Salvador
Scotiabank
? Women’s Council Gets a Makeover
FPCBP has several committees, each
with their own unique goals. This year
we’ve reintroduced the Women’s council, whose mission is to engage women in
the Portuguese community, bringing
fresh ideas and several ambitious goals.
First, we would like to promote the
Women’s council and increase awareness
among our community. Following that,
we would like to organize a number of
events. Some possibilities include a
breast cancer fundraiser, a series of golf
lessons exclusively for women and a networking session geared towards the
career-oriented woman.
However, before these events can get
underway, there is some preparatory
work that needs to be done. We need to
gather support from FPCBP members and
the overall Portuguese community. For
those who are interested in participating,
don’t let our name mislead you. Both
men and women alike can become
involved.
We welcome volunteers to help us generate momentum, and afterwards to organize the events. We would also like to
gauge how many women are interested
in taking part in the Women’s council
events.
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003
If you are interested in participating,
would like to volunteer or just want to
learn more about the Women’s council,
please
send
an
email
to
fpcbp@bellnet.ca, and be sure to include
your contact information. We look forward to hearing from you so that we may
launch several successful events in the
months to come!
Kelly Da Fonseca,
Director and Women’s Council
Committee Chair
7
Avelino Fonseca, Ana Paula Gois-Oliveira, Ermidio Alves, Alda Neves, Richard Pereira, Rita de Melo, Joseph
Almeida, Luis Salvador, Paul de Melo, Paulo Rocha. Absent: Hélder Gomes, Kelly da Fonseca.
8
FPCBP NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2003