Day 6 - Government services and Consulate General of Canada

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Poupoutempo is a government agency that allows the people of Sao Paulo and around Brazil to access any government department in one quick stop for free. They are able to process over 30, 000 people per day.

Everything you need can be obtained in this one place. When entering the architecture is open and you can see that it is color coded. The government wanted to make this building as open and easy to access as possible. In addition to color coding each agency, there are signs posted on the floors and walls to provide direction to the clients. There are also various staff members available for assistance.

The first stop for us was where the Brazilian people obtain their ID. Here it is called RG. You will require this ID in order to obtain anything else. This ID can be issued twice in a lifetime, You can obtain this when you are young as well as when you get older. This ID is even required to obtain employment. We were advised that they produce 2,500 ID’s per day in this facility.

We then moved on to the elections area. Voting is mandatory in Brazil for everyone over the age of 18. Each region has a specific number that you are assigned when you turn 18. You must obtain this number in this building. When it comes time to vote you must vote. If you missed the vote you must come and advise the government in writing why you did not vote, you may also have to pay a penalty fee.

Moving on we were advised that they encourage feedback and are striving for 100% satisfaction among their clients. They are currently achieving 98%. It is their goal to treat everyone equally and fairly and to provide good service to everyone.

Next we learned that lawyers have special ID in order to allow for additional retirement benefits and get access to court. It was interesting that lawyers get there own booth and ID.

Moving along the line on the floor, we come to the telephone company. In this area you do everything from set up and cancel service, to pay your bills. Any issue involving the phone company gets handled in this area.

There was the state bank section for paying taxes, bills and regular banking transactions from 7am to 7pm. There was a free internet access section and a state utilities section to pay the bill, request service or complain about bills.

The most interesting section of the tour of the contractor complaints section. If someone had work done and they didn't like the service or the contract was not fulfilled they could complain and the government would look into it. If needed a negotiator would be appointed, free of charge. Amazing, we need that in Canada.

We were given a video presentation of the Poupoutempa and in turn provided our gracious hostesses some gifts of appreciation. Anna got the traditional kiss on each cheek and Brent got a little worried he would get the same in front of the whole class. But alas, he only got a handshake!

We headed to the Consulate General of Canada's office and had to get ID cards from the security desks by providing our passports to get through security. The Canadian office was like walking through Banff, Alberta, but I never did find out if the river stones under the glass floor were imported from the Great White North or not.

We were treated to a presentation of what Canada and Brazil are doing (and not doing) in business, government and economics. And were encouraged to go back home and try to improve relations with Canadian business and industry with Brazil into the future.

The vice president of Scotia Bank over all of Brazil then introduced what Scotia Bank is doing all over the world and specifically how Brazilian banks operate and how Scotia Bank can assist the country with their international expertise.

We had a great buffet lunch at the mall in the district and headed to the airport. We stopped for an hour to shop at the mall by the airport as we had some time before our flight to Rio.

Lots of the group had small packages either for them or a loved one at home. Austin had a larger bag as he and Brian had got some clothes. The ride to the airport took an unusual turn when someone asked what he paid for the shirt. Austin, to those who know him, rarely has any trouble telling it like it is. This shirt however turned out to be quite a competition of the group verses Austin to get out of him how much he paid for it! At the time of publication, his official answer is he got a good deal and even got 30% off but no official price tag had been revealed. But to help change the subject, while on the beach of Copacabana, he negotiated with a street vendor for 5 additional shirts for him and his sons. I guess the truth will never be known. What happens in Brazil, stays in Brazil!

After arriving in Rio de Janerio our bus and guide picked us up and drove us to the hotel overlooking the famous Copacabana beach. We all met for a stroll along the board walk and stopped for drinks to celebrate Jason's birthday. The group split up after supper on the strip and enjoyed the evening.

Well he finally did it, Kelly took off his sweater vest and jacket to enjoy the evening on the beach, since that has never happened, we had to capture the magical moment.