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Festival Managment Comittee

Our story

Discover how it all began and what drives our passion.

Our Story

Our History

A proud legacy of culture, celebration, and community.

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Our Core

The values and vision that shape everything we do.

Our Impact

Discover our impact on lives around us.

Toronto Carnival’s Beginnings

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival began in 1967 as “Caribana,” a community-led initiative to celebrate Canada’s Centennial by showcasing Caribbean culture. It has since grown into one of North America’s largest cultural festivals, becoming a key part of Toronto’s cultural landscape. From its early days on Yonge Street, the carnival has expanded significantly, attracting international attention and participation.

The inaugural Caribana parade in 1967 was a groundbreaking event, laying the foundation for the massive cultural festival it is today. It attracted 50,000 people, setting the stage for the future of the carnival.

Our Team:

The Festival Management Committee (FMC) manages the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Toronto Carnival) and other events. Our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership team members comprises individuals who bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and a deep commitment to our mission.

Board of Directors:

Our Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and guidance, ensuring that FMC’s work is aligned with our mission and values. The Board is composed of individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and a wide range of professional experience and bring a range of perspectives and expertise to their roles.

Executive Team:

The FMC’s leadership team is responsible for the day-to-day management, overseeing the implementation of programs and initiatives, and ensuring that we remain true to our mission. Our leaders are passionate about empowering communities and are dedicated to achieving our strategic goals.

petition

Our Petition

Petition to Support the Toronto Caribbean Carnival:

We, the undersigned, call upon the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to provide the Toronto Caribbean Carnival with the financial support it deserves, in recognition of its cultural, economic, and social impact.

For over 50 years (since 1967), the Toronto Caribbean Carnival has been a key cultural event in our city and country, attracting millions of visitors and contributing significantly to the Canadian economy. This festival not only celebrates the heritage and creativity of Caribbean people and celebrates what is uniquely Canadian by fostering inclusivity, cultural diversity, and economic opportunities for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families.

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Despite these remarkable contributions, the Toronto Carnival remains woefully underfunded and receives less than $1 million combined from all three levels of government. This falls drastically short of the $3 million needed to produce the month-long festival.

We are now appealing publicly to the government to provide adequate funding for the carnival.  We need your help. Please sign here

You can learn more about this initiative from our FAQs here…
 See our open letter to the government here…

Do you have suggestions for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival? Send your suggestions below.

Support our Carnival:
A Call for Emergency Funding

Support our Carnival:
A Call for Emergency Funding

For 57 years, the people of the Caribbean who have made Canada our home have demonstrated unwavering love and commitment to Canada by sharing the vibrant culture of the Caribbean with millions of people. The Toronto Caribbean Carnival began as a gift, an act of love from the Caribbean community as part of Canada’s Centennial celebrations. Today the Toronto Carnival is the largest festival of its kind in North America.  Each year, the Toronto Carnival, contributes $467 million to Canada’s GDP, generating $182.7 million in tax revenue for all three levels of government. The Toronto Carnival supports over 3,000 small businesses and creates more than 3,341 jobs, representing the best of Canada’s diversity and inclusion.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

A: The Toronto Caribbean Carnival began 58 years ago as a gift of love from the Caribbean community to Canada, in honour of the country’s Centennial. It is managed by the Festival Management Committee whose mandate is to promote Caribbean arts and culture through the production of various events and programs.

The Toronto Carnival has evolved into the largest cultural festival in North America. Today, the Toronto Carnival is a vital economic force, contributing $467 million to Canada’s GDP and generating $182.7 million in tax revenue for federal, provincial, and municipal governments. The festival supports over 3,000 small businesses and creates more than 3,341 jobs, reflecting Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

A: The FMC is urging the government at all levels to increase its investment in the Carnival. The current funding of under $1 million is insufficient to sustain the festival, which costs over $3 million to produce. The FMC is calling on the government to invest in the Carnival’s future by providing emergency funding and multi-year support.

A: The Carnival is a month-long festival comprising over ten discrete events including the launch event, the Jr. Parade and Jr. King and Queen Showcase, the King and Queen Showcase, OCPA Calypso Showcase, Panorama – Keeping Pan Alive and the Grand Parade. The costs to produce the Toronto Caribbean Carnival have skyrocketed due to inflation, rising production costs, and the size of the events. The month-long festival requires significant investment in security, staffing, venue rentals, production, and logistics. For example:

  • Security costs have increased by 300%
  • Venue rental fees have surged by 220%.
  • Labour costs have gone up by 45%, and production costs have risen by 35%

These increases are essential to maintaining the safety, quality, and scale of the festival, which draws over 2 million visitors annually.

What has the FMC been doing to address the lack of funding? The Festival Management Committee (FMC) has been working tirelessly to manage the financial challenges facing the Carnival. Some of the key measures they have implemented include:

  • Consolidating events into one centralized venue at Exhibition Place to reduce logistical expenses.
  • Reduced certain production costs by 10% in both 2023 and 2024.
  • Adjusting ticket prices for certain events to boost revenue.
  • Increasing private sector sponsorships and forming strategic partnerships with businesses and community organizations.
  • Launching a public education campaign and a public petition to rally community support for increased government funding.
  • Lobbying at the provincial level to advocate for additional funding and long-term sustainability.

Despite these efforts, the festival remains severely underfunded, receiving less than $1 million in combined support from all levels of government, while the cost to produce the event has reached over $3 million.

A: The Toronto Carnival unequivocally aligns itself with Canadian principles of multiculturalism, diversity, and equity. The Toronto Carnival supports a community that is made up of people who speak multiple languages, people of various races, orientations, and ethnicities. It highlights the artistic talents of our community through the creation and display of costumes, music, dance, and cuisine.

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is in the main, a labour of love. It is led by the FMC and is curated and created, with the assistance of the extraordinarily talented artistic stakeholders, and supported by thousands of participants and hundreds of volunteers, who begin preparation for the spectacular events a full 12 month in advance. In consultation with its stakeholders, which includes the Bandleaders, Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA), and the Organization of Calypso Performing Artists (OCPA).

 

The Toronto Carnival unequivocally aligns itself with Canadian principles of multiculturalism, diversity, and equity. The Toronto Carnival supports a community that is made up of people who speak multiple languages, people of various races, orientations, and ethnicities. It highlights the artistic talents of our community through the creation and display of costumes, music, dance, and cuisine.

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is in the main, a labour of love. It is led by the FMC and is curated and created, with the assistance of the extraordinarily talented artistic stakeholders, and supported by thousands of participants and hundreds of volunteers, who begin preparation for the spectacular events a full 12 month in advance. In consultation with its stakeholders, which includes the Bandleaders, Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA), and the Organization of Calypso Performing Artists (OCPA).

A: The Caribbean community comprises of approximately 4% of Ontario’s population, according to 2021 census data.

A: The FMC has launched a public petition to gather community support for increased government funding. You can join the petition and help ensure the Carnival’s future by adding your name here: [Link to Petition.

A: Toronto Carnival is a prime opportunity for Caribbean Business Interest where they can leverage the Festival and gain access to millions of viewers, participants, and other business opportunities. Just give us a call to talk about our sponsorship and partnership options, getting involved in showcases and specialized pop-up, or helping with our community activities.

A: The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a prime platform for businesses to expand their reach, with 2.3 million attendees and millions more engaging online. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with the diverse and engaged diaspora, driving sales and fostering valuable connections. Businesses participating in the Carnival can benefit from increased visibility and brand recognition.

A: The FMC offers several cultural and educational programs, including:

  • Building Black Entrepreneurs Program (BBEP) – Supports Black entrepreneurs in business development and job creation.
  • Carnival Arts Initiative with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) – Introduces carnival arts and cultural education to students.
  • Young Leaders Program – Encourages youth involvement in leadership roles in business and politics.
  • Schulich Business Excellence Academy – A partnership with Schulich School of Business to provide business education and mentorship to under-represented students.
  • Young Learners Program with Toronto Football Club: This initiative supports the educational and athletic development of over 1,000 students, enhancing their academic performance and physical well-being. It includes mentorship and activities designed to foster growth and development in young learners.
  • Young Leaders Program: A new FMC program led by young people to encourage their peers to get involved in leadership roles in business, politics (for all political parties), and cultural and community organizations.
  • Caribbean Community Advocacy Network: To ensure continued advocacy for greater support for Caribbean and black interests the FMC also promotes socio-political (non-partisian), cultural, and economic advocacy for the Caribbean community at all levels of government. The aim is to amplify the voice of Caribbean interests, ensuring that our concerns are heard and addressed by policymakers.

You can contact our Education department by emailing education@torontocarnival.ca

Our story

Discover how it all began and what drives our passion.

Our Story

Our History

A proud legacy of culture, celebration, and community.

King & Queen Showcase

Our Core

The values and vision that shape everything we do.

Our Impact

Discover our impact on lives around us.

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