Portuguese Ambassador: Language Education a Primary Concern
TORONTO — Bernardo Lucena, Portugal’s newly appointed Ambassador to Canada, has warned that the survival of Portuguese language education is a top priority for the Luso-Canadian community. During his first official visit to Toronto this week, Lucena addressed growing concerns regarding shifts in the Ontario school system that could jeopardize the future of the language for thousands of students.
“One of the primary concerns consistently raised during my initial contacts with the community is the teaching of the Portuguese language,” Lucena told journalists at the Consulate General of Portugal in Toronto. Having presented his credentials to the Governor General only a month ago, the diplomat chose Ontario for his first field visit to engage directly with residents and local leaders.
A Crisis in the Classroom
The urgency stems largely from proposed changes to the International Languages Program within the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Ana Luísa Riquito, Portugal’s Consul General in Toronto, noted that the potential elimination of integrated “day-of” language programs puts students at a significant disadvantage.
Paulo Pereira, president of the North American Regional Council of the Council of Portuguese Communities, was more blunt, describing the situation as “extremely serious.”
“The imminent cut of integrated teaching in Catholic schools means losing instruction for about 2,200 students,” Pereira warned. “If classes are moved exclusively to weekends, we will lose many students who cannot sacrifice family time. Integrated teaching ensures the language remains a core part of their education.”
Language as a Global Asset
Ambassador Lucena took these concerns directly to the Ontario provincial government on Thursday, meeting with officials in the economic and higher education sectors. He is framing the Portuguese language not just as a cultural relic, but as a strategic economic tool.
“Portuguese is not just a language of identity and heritage; it is a language of opportunity,” Consul General Riquito added. “It is an international language spoken across continents and is increasingly valued in the global trade and defense sectors, especially as Canada and the European Union grow closer.”
The Portuguese government, through the Camões Institute, continues to support local education via teacher training and financial aid, spanning from community primary schools to specialized programs at York University and the University of Toronto.
A “Dynamic” Diaspora
Beyond education, the Ambassador praised the Luso-Canadian population as “dynamic and well-integrated,” while acknowledging the challenges common to many diaspora communities, such as the aging of community associations and the need for better consular services and electoral participation.
Lucena, a veteran diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Cape Verde and Ireland and as a top advisor to the Portuguese Prime Minister, emphasized that his office remains open to the community. “The message is simple: the embassy and the consulate are here to serve,” he said.
The Ambassador’s four-day tour of Toronto continues through May 17, featuring visits to the LIUNA Local 183 union, the Luso Canadian Charitable Society, and various cultural “Casas” representing the Azores and Alentejo regions. On Saturday evening, he will attend the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business & Professionals gala, celebrating the economic contributions of the community.
Image: Pexels – Jonathan Cooper
