Community News
Politicians jump up for Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival
BY SELINA McCALLUM
This past weekend millions of people celebrated the 52nd year of the colorful and radiant Caribbean Carnival, better known as Caribana, in Toronto.
Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival, held since 1967, claims to be North America’s largest street festival, attracting more than 1.3 million people annually from around the world, especially from the United States of America.
A group of friends from the United Sates came from Michigan to participate in the parade.
“My friends and I come every year for the carnival because we love the vibe, the culture and the food. It’s always a good time and the party is non-stop,” said Devonte, a young man from Michigan.
The roots of all carnivals from Toronto to Caribbean countries around the world is the celebration of the emancipation of enslaved Africans.
To begin the ceremony to kick off the 52nd carnival, politicians and authority figures addressed the crowd and made brief announcements about their ties to Caribana over the years.
This year, the Liberal government, headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, helped fund the Caribbean Carnival by giving $350,000.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, announced at the start of the Caribbean festival that the Liberal government continues to support the festival.
“I join you today to tell you that on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and our Liberal team, we are with you, we support the Toronto Caribbean Festival,” said Minister Hussen to the crowd.
Doug Ford, the current Premier of Ontario, was also in attendance to show his support and wish everyone a happy carnival.
“We’re down here at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the 52nd one, we invite everyone down! To the Caribbean community, I have one thing to say — our family loves you,” said Premier Ford. “If you ever need our help, feel free to give us a call.”
Former premier Kathleen Wynne, Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders and representatives for the Conservative and NDP party were there to welcome carnival-goers and kick off the parade as well.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said that the Toronto police force will do their part to ensure everyone has a fun and safe celebration.
“The city of Toronto is on the world map and we represent like we always do. I’m so proud and thankful to be here. Let’s keep this festive, respect the revellers and let’s have a great time,” said Toronto Police Chief Saunders.
Mitzie Hunter, a politician in Ontario, also welcomed the crowd. “It is wonderful to be here! We’re going to have an amazing day at Toronto’s carnival. The sun is shining and there is not a cloud in the sky, and we are going to jump up Toronto! I want to say that the carnival is an important symbol of freedom, togetherness and we must never forget that,” said Hunter.
Hunter represents the Toronto riding of Scarborough. She is a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who was first elected in a by-election on August 1st, 2013 and later re-elected in the election of 2018.
In a later interview with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, he said that the Liberal government continues to invest in the parade.
“We know and understand the value of the Toronto Caribbean Festival. We appreciate it and we are investing again, and increasing our investment to support this festival,” said Minister Hussen.
The festival is also a competition between the mas bands who walk, jump and dance in the parade along Lakeshore. This year’s mas bands included Allure Carnival, Tribal Carnival, Toronto Revellers, and Sunlime Canada to name a few.
Minister Hussen also announced that part of the investment will go towards promoting Caribbean food and restaurants in the city.
“Part of that investment, $60,000, is going to promote Caribbean cuisine as a way to attract visitors to Toronto and I am very proud of that part of the funding,” said Minister Hussen.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada said that he is proud to support such an important event in the city of Toronto,
“It brings over a million people to the city of Toronto and Canada,” said Minister Hussen. “It’s a very important festival that showcases Caribbean culture, and that’s important to support.”