The lively Caribbean Carnival festival will operate in full effect for at least the next few summers after receiving federal funding for the first time ever.
Toronto Carnival is set to receive $3.5 million over the next two years from the federal government to be used to sustain the event and strengthen its capacity, the Festival Management Committee (FMC) announced Thursday.
The FMC says the funding was shared as part of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement which was released on Dec. 16 by the Government of Canada.
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“This critical investment follows nearly two years of intense advocacy,” the FMC said in the press release, by “addressing systemic underfunding and highlighting the Carnival’s vital cultural and economic contributions to Canada.
The funding comes after Toronto MPP Dr. Jill Andrew called on the province in October to invest into the festival, which she said was in desperate need of emergency funding.
Andrew said that the festival would be in jeopardy unless it received multi-year funding.
Now, the funding will be used to assist the event organizers in developing initiatives for the sustainability and capacity building of the festival, as well as to support international marketing efforts to spread the word of Carnival and contribute to Canada’s tourism.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and the collective support from our stakeholders, the Caribbean community, business leaders, suppliers, and cultural advocates who rallied behind the Carnival,” said Executive Chair Jennifer Hirlehey.
“Together, we have demonstrated the power of unity and a shared vision. This funding will ensure the Carnival remains a dynamic force in Canada’s cultural and economic landscape, inspiring generations to come.”
The Toronto Carribean Carnival, formerly known as Carribana, was inspired by Trinidad’s pre-lenten Carnival and is a community-led initiative to celebrate Canada’s Centennial by showcasing Caribbean culture.
The festival has grown significantly since its inception in 1967 and now attracts millions of people, according to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival official website.
