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Colourful sequined costumes with feathers, unwavering drumbeats, and boundless energy were the vibes at the Junior Carnival leading as part of this year’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
“We celebrate racial justice year-round and the summer is the perfect time to celebrate and champion Unifor members who help bring the Caribbean Carnival to life every year,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The summer heat added to the energy that was brought to the Junior Carnival kids and youth parade on July 20 in the Malvern community in Scarborough, Ont., which Unifor proudly sponsored.
There were 11 Mas (Masquerade) bands participating in the Junior Carnival, with 50 to 200 participants in each. The junior parade has going strong since 1977. The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is the largest Caribbean Carnival event in North America, attracting close to two million people annually and Unifor is an ecstatic participant.
Unifor alongside the Executive of Unifor Local 40, has organized a mas band contingent to represent the union in the Grand Parade. Unifor National has supported and sponsored Sunlime’s participation in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and Festival since 2016.
The union has teamed with Sunlime productions to design floats for the parade and create Canadian made costumes offered to members at cost. Sunlime Mas, as in previous years expect to have over 100 participants of various backgrounds in and around the Greater Toronto Area.
This year, Unifor National has sponsored Unifor Local 40 in cooperation with Sunlime Canada at the Caribbean Carnival in the amount of $18,000.
“Supporting Toronto Carnival demonstrates our commitment to celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our diverse membership,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
“Celebrating together strengthens our bond as trade unionists and fosters a sense of solidarity that transcends workplace issues. Having attended carnival since I was a child, I’ve seen firsthand how it brings people together from all walks of life.”
Hashi said she always looks forward to jumping up with everyone at the Junior Carnival and Grand Parade each year and for members to join in “to celebrate Caribbean culture, music, and food, and to witness the beautiful costumes."
Several Carnival events, such as the junior parade, lead up to the Grand Parade on Aug. 3, 2024. The parade is usually held on the Saturday before the Civic holiday in August, usually coinciding with the August 1 Emancipation Day, which commemorates the emancipation of slaves of African descent.
Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council (ORC) donated $15,000 towards Sunlime’s participation the Junior Carnival and Grand Parade.
“The annual parade gives children the opportunity to celebrate Caribbean culture and share it with those in their community,” said Unifor ORC Chair Shinade Allder.
“It's great to see the children at such a young age participate and understand the meaning behind the parade. Solidarity is extremely important for Unifor members as recognizing our history provides an opportunity to examine what freedom and liberation mean today.”
Sunlime Canada event coordinator and Unifor Local 40 President Dwayne Gunness said Unifor’s support allows over 100 participants from various backgrounds and schools in the Greater Toronto Area to participate.
"Unifor's continued support over the years has helped immensely with providing resources that assist youth and young persons the opportunity to be gain knowledge from senior members, with regards to the creative side of the art and cultural aspect,” he said.
“The process in planning begins early September, and this is the onset of creative juices flowing from initial sketches, conceptualizing sourcing various fabrics and materials combined with engineering skills to put it all together. This is all pulled together three months prior to the parade."
