Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals – fostering business and community development

The Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals (FPCBP) was founded on December 7, 1981. Its initial focus was on the Greater Toronto Area but, since then, it has expanded its reach across Canada. A not-for-profit organization, the FPCBP has established itself as a relevant entity that nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit of Luso-Canadians, promotes our community-based businesses, and supports our student population.

Since its inception, it has relied on sponsors and fundraising efforts that include several highly anticipated annual events, such as a well-attended golf tournament and the Awards Gala. At the Gala, individuals from all walks of life, status, and localities commune for an evening of recognition of many who excel both in business, education, volunteer work and personal life.  It is also at this event that recipients of the FPCBP Scholarship Awards are announced.

The FPCBP Scholarship, implemented in 1984, has provided university, college and secondary school students of Portuguese descent with hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is the oldest and largest scholarship in the Portuguese community. Every year, dozens of scholarship recipients are awarded amounts that range between $1,000 and $4,000 in various categories. Candidates must be graduating secondary school in the year in which they are applying or be enrolled in a post-secondary institution. They must also be of Portuguese descent and hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status. The application process includes reference letters, personal background information, and a resume.

The organization elects a Board of Directors annually. Shortly after its foundation, the FPCBP elected Armindo Silva as its first President. He remained in the role until 1984. Past presidents include: Jonh Santos (1985), Fernando Dias Costa (1986, 1987), João Neves (1988), Frank Alvarez (1988, 1989), Nellie Pedro, the first female in the role (1990), Arnold Santos (1991, 1992, 1995), Raimundo Favas (1993), Almiro Fonseca (1994), José-Luis Reis de Arruda (1996, 1997), Ricardo de Castro Lopo (1998), David Costa (1998), Luis Louro Jr. (1999), Charles de Sousa (2000), José L. Pinto (2001), Carlos Alberto Teixeira (2002), Ermido Alves (2003), Leo Pereira (2004), Ana Bailão (2005, 2006), Madalena Barreto (2007), Paul Silva (2008), Manuel de Brito Fialho (2009), Cristina Martins (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Sérgio Ruivo (2014, 2015), Michelle F. Jorge (2016, 2017), Eduarda Lee Sousa-Lall (2018, 2019, 2020), Ana Maria Faria (2021, 2022), Helen Filipe (2022), Bela Cumberbatch (2023).

The Federation – as it is affectionally called – is open to membership applications from all Portuguese Canadians. This includes individuals who are self-employed, who own their own business, who work for someone else, or who are simply looking to connect with others and explore business opportunities. There are four membership categories with distinct annual fees, as follows:  student ($25), Not-for-Profit ($50), Individual or Associate ($75), Business ($150).

The FPCBP is a member of the Greater Toronto Alliance and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada.