What's Canada Doing in Brazil?

Publisher:  Dramin and Swift, Canada
Year Published:  1977
Pages:  8pp   Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX290

This paper traces the historical relationship of Canadian based corporations in Brazil.

Abstract: 
This paper traces the historical relationship of Canadian based corporations in Brazil. The main thesis is that Canada utilizes the conventional mechanisms of aid, trade and investment to drain resources from Latin America and the Carribbean. Specific attention is given to Brascan, Alcan, the government's Export Development Corporation and the Canadian International Development Agency. All are presented as playing a sub-imperialist role in the interests of the United States. Canada and Brazil are both identified as predominantly resource-based economies which have their industry centralized in a relatively small area, at the expense of the rest of the country which acts as supplier of natural resources and cheap labour. The consequences of this kind of development are traced out in terms first, of the effects on workers in Brazil where rights are denied, and secondly, of the loss of jobs for Canadians as investments flow south. Military spending and strategy are shown as being conditioned by this situation while attitudes among the corporate elite are shown as being favorably disposed to the military and associated with fascism.

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