UFCW Canada celebrates Caribana

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Hundreds of UFCW Canada activists and members joined in the fun and revelry on July 30 at the Caribana festival parade in Toronto. It was the spectacular conclusion of the annual two-week cultural festival inspired by the tradition of West Indian Carnival — with floats, bands, festive costumes, and hundreds of thousands of people lining the parade route.

The event is now in its fourth decade, and again this year sponsored in part by UFCW Canada and UFCW Canada Local Unions.

"Caribana is wonderful celebration of the diversity of our community and our membership," says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. "We're proud to participate and glad to see that over the years more and more UFCW Canada brothers and sisters have joined in the celebration."

Once again, the union’s community partner, the Saldenah Mas-K Club, was awarded honours in Band of the Year competition – adding to the club's 16 awards since Caribana was founded 40 years ago. This year’s UFCW Canada supporters and sponsors included UFCW Canada Local 12R24, Local 102, Locals 175 & 633, Local 206, Local 1000A, Local 1993, and the UFCW Canada National Office.

“The support and participation of the local unions and members has been great, ” says UFCW Canada Local 1993 President Winston Gordon, who was born in Guyana and has served the Canadian labour movement as an activist in the West Indian community for over 30 years.

"Caribana is one of Canada's biggest community festivals, and UFCW Canada is part of that community,” says Brother Gordon, who coordinates the union’s Caribana participation."It is a celebration of solidarity that everyone enjoys."