UFCW Canada has added another year of success to its fun-filled tradition of participating in Toronto’s Caribana festival. This year was extra special because the union’s community partner, the Saldenah Mas-K Club, was the toast of the cultural celebration and won a bevy of prestigious festival awards, including Kiddies Band of the Year, 1st Place King, and Band of the Year – Caribana’s most prized and sought after honour.

“Being part of the Saldenah camp and its 16th championship is really exciting,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley, referring to the number of times the legendary Saldenah camp has won Band of the Year.

“This year’s Caribana festival was also successful for UFCW Canada because it represented the union’s best turnout yet.” 

The Toronto Caribana festival was started over 40 years ago and has grown to become one of the world’s premier West Indian-inspired celebrations drawing over a million revellers to the city every July and early August.

“Caribana is an event based on West Indian traditions, but it has also become a celebration of Canada’s vast and wonderful diversity,” 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.

“People are already asking me about next year,” says Brother Gordon, who coordinates the union’s Caribana participation. “UFCW Canada activists from a number of different local unions and backgrounds have really taken to the festival and their involvement in Caribana has been fantastic – and will only be bigger and better next year!”