I teach business communications at a small university with a large number of Latin Americans. Based on what I see in my classes, I'd guess that the interest in Latin Americans in doing business with Lower Mainland businesses is very high.

Dear Georgia Straight, you can start focusing more attention in the Spanish language which is the language most Latin Americans (with the exception of Brazilians who speak portuguese) use daily. There is the letter ñ in Spanish which is absolutely not the same as the letter n. The correct name of the Mexican president is Enrique Peña Nieto.

This is a good article and I applaud Ms. Murillo for her initiative.
To the writer, please note that many Brazilians don't label themselves "latinos" as that designation is most often used for those who speak Spanish. As such, the concept of getting together as a community at a "plaza" doesn't apply to them either.

The focus ought to be on Canadians and British Columbian's specifically.

All the Aid in Money and the like sent to Latin American Countries is a waste of our Tax Dollars to the Corrupt and Wealthy Elite in those Countries.

I call Bull Shit on the CFO of Vale SA, Luciano Siani since any Business would only Invest to maximize returns (R.O.I) the only reason I believe she talks about Canada over the US in that regard is the weak Laws and very weak enforcement in Canada vs the US in relation to seizure of Assets and/or Fines for wrong doing.

Latin American business know that in the US they are subject to both Civil and Criminal Forfeiture if charged and the the Enforcement in the US is far far stronger than Canada versus in Canada for the most part the same evil doers can easily get away with whatever nefarious activities they are involved in.

As for Visa's NAFTA allows for Business Visa's that is sufficient most Canadians don't want to encourage the practice of hiring cheap Mexican or other Central / South American Labor which easing the Visa requirements would do taking regular Jobs away from Canadians.

This is rampant in the Oil & Gas sector as well as Mining here in BC we do not need more Latin Americans South of the Border taking blue collar Jobs from Canadians.

As for Trade Latin America needs our Trade way more than we need there's therefore in Business / Trade we get to call the shots not Latin America's Business or Government.

Canadians would be far better off if Canada invested all the money in Aid to Latin America in Canada for better HealthCare and Education here in Canada & BC!

It's time British Columbia focused more attention on Latin America and what is going on behind the biggest investments done in the region
When talking about investments in Latin America and even more about what 's behind the Expo Plaza Latina , which promotes relations and business with the mining and extractive industry in the region , it is important to also have other relevant sources or voices of Latin American communities who are being directly affected in the territories where they are carrying out the extractions.
It always amazes me the lack of curiosity of Vancouverites and how much they are unaware of what is behind big events that are promoted in the city. Once the organizations are allies of the current local/provincial government, some citizens think what the organization is doing is legitimate!
It is true that in the "Latin American square" all kinds of people meet together as community to connect, talk and promote justice. Plazas are not only public spaces for elites , are open spaces that were created to bring together to acknowledge and listen different voices. Latincouver certainly does not promote such spaces and they use Magic Realism discourses to convince non Canadians and uniformed Latinos that everything in our countries is about parties, beautiful women, soccer and music. What the organization is doing with the famous “Expo Plaza” is perpetuate oligarchic and elitist systems that have yet to Latin America under the same colonial oppression we had 500 years ago.
The organization focuses on making relationships with BC and large investors, discarding relations with community-based Latinos and minorities within the community. I am glad Miss Murillo has some data about what is the estimate number of Latinos living in the Lower Mainland. However, she forgot or maybe is unaware of all indigenous, afro descendants, IDPs, refugees, political exiles and individuals that came from Latin America, live here and have been questioning the big machines that silent voices and communities in the name of progress.
If Miss Murillo recognizes that Latinos are diverse and all of us we should “work together” why only big heads and elites are the ones who are in the interest of her organization. What kind of square is being promoted? A private square? or the real concept of an inclusive and public Latin Plaza? If she believes that " We have to work

Part II

If Miss Murillo believes that " We have to work together" I invite her to research, investigate and soak into the reality of our region. Acres of forest have been destroyed; rivers and seas are polluted to obtain the extraction of few grams of gold, or liters of oil, not talking about big projects which are disappearing entire communities. Not only the territory is affected by large emporiums which by the way are invited to participated in the upcoming Expoplaza, entire communities are killed , displaced and marginalized running into poverty , exploitation and lack of basic services. Perhaps she needs to visit more often her country, and other regions to talk with communities outside her circle and listen what people really talks in a Latin square/plaza.

Latincouver does not represent the diverse Latin American community in BC. What Latincouver represents is businesses. I don't have a problem with that as long as Paola and the Board of Latincouver are more transparent with their interest. How can Latincouver claim to represent the latin american community when there is not representation of the diverse memebers of the latin american commuity in the organization?

Also, promoting initiatives that have damaged the environment, created divisions among communities, displaced indigenous communities, etc...in the name of economic development, is just wrong. Do we need resources? YES. Do we need to respect peoples' lands? YES.

Many Latin American countries are corrupted. Canadian mining business taking advantage of this issue makes them also responsible. Latincouver, by promoting these activities and by avoiding to see the reality of latin american communities, makes it responsible for continuuing the circle of poverty, conflict, and detriment of communities.

Latincouver is not the victim here, Paola Murillo is not the victim...the victims are the women, children, men, seniors, indigenous communities in Latin America.

I would like to thanks Paola and Latincouver for the great job that they are doing for Canada and Latin America. I wish "latinos" can get together as a organization to help each other to success. Latinos have a lot of skills that we can use to do a better world. Peace and long life to Latincouver. Viva Latinoamerica! :)

Paola congratulations for your great job, Latincouver is a good platform to network and business portal for Latin Americans in Vancouver!!!

Lets work together as a Latin Community and help each other to success!

I enjoy reading the article and everyone's comments. Keep up the good work and all your research. I'm happy to see an open dialogue that mentions the different situations happening in Latin America. Yes we have issues, things are not always perfect but as long as we are all committed to making a difference and being part of the change by working and helping to create jobs back home we can make all make a difference!