Government of Canada invests $1 million to support return of Toronto Caribbean Carnival

News release

FedDev Ontario investment supports return and expansion of largest Caribbean festival in North America

July 7, 2022 -Toronto, Ontario   

Tourism in Toronto is essential to the vitality of the city’s local businesses and communities, bringing millions of visitors to the region each year. Cultural events, such as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival – one of the largest street festivals in Canada − play an important role in bringing people together to celebrate the cultures that reflect our country’s diversity.

Today, at the official launch of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced an investment of $1 million for the operators of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the Festival Management Committee, to modernize the event, expand offerings and enhance visitor experience. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

With this Tourism Relief Fund investment, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival will develop an app to enhance the visitor experience, and update its website to support online ticket sales. This investment will also allow the Festival Management Committee to host Caribbean Carnival-themed events throughout the year showcasing culinary experiences, including artisan and vendor marketplaces.

This project will further enhance Toronto’s cultural vibrancy, attract new visitors to the region, and strengthen Ontario’s position as a tourism destination of choice.

Quotes

“The Toronto Caribbean Carnival gives us an important opportunity to reflect on the remarkable history of Caribbean-Canadians and to celebrate the contributions that the Caribbean community makes to the fabric of our country—all while being a real generator of economic activity for businesses across our city. As the Carnival rebounds from the pandemic, this $1-million investment will help make sure that continues to be the case for years to come.”
– The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance 

“This $1-million FedDev Ontario investment will allow the Festival Management Committee to position the Toronto Caribbean Carnival for success for years to come. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting cultural events, like the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, by supporting businesses and organizations as they find new and innovative ways to attract visitors and drive local economic growth.”
– The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Festival, art, and tourist attractions such as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival make Toronto a destination of choice for visitors from near and far, with far-reaching impacts on our local economy. Investments like the one made today help to build a strong and resilient future, while also showcasing the cultural experiences our nation has to offer.”
– The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant

“Financial support from the Government of Canada was absolutely critical this year for the return of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. These much-needed funds help position the carnival as a world-class event, showcasing our diversity and multiculturalism to the world. The month-long festival attracts more than 1 million spectators annually, which generates millions of dollars of economic activity in the City of Toronto annually for local restaurants, retailers, hotels and airlines.”
– Laverne Garcia, Exclusive Chair of the Board - Festival Management Committee 

Quick facts

  • Founded in 1967 and incorporated in 2006, the Festival Management Committee is a Black-led not-for profit organization that is responsible for producing the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The festival typically attracts more than 1.2 million people, including 180,000 tourists, bringing an estimated $338 million into the Ontario economy each year. In 2019, UNESCO recognized the Toronto Caribbean Carnival as a Cultural Heritage Property.

  • The Festival Management Committee previously received $1.8 million, through the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, delivered by FedDev Ontario, to deliver business advisory, networking and mentorship programming to Black entrepreneurs with businesses related to the festival sector in Toronto. To date, they have provided services to more than 130 participants through this project.

  • The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth, with a minimum of $50 million of the Fund allocated to supporting Indigenous-led projects or Indigenous-focused projects. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario. 

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $520 million in more than 600 projects in the Toronto Region creating over 25,000 jobs and maintaining over 33,000 jobs.

Associated links

Contacts

Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
monica.granados@feddevontario.gc.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca

Stay Connected

Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

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