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The summer heat added to the lightheartedness and excitement of the Junior Carnival as it revved up celebrations for this year’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
“Unifor is proud to support this inclusive community event again this year,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Carnival is a celebration of diversity–of Caribbean cultures, voices, and traditions, uniting in joy. Unifor is thrilled to share in this celebration of our community and our members, knowing our strength lies in the solidarity we build together."
The Junior Carnival kids and youth parade took place on July 19 at Neilson Park in Scarborough, Ont. Unifor was once again a proud sponsor.
Adorned in jewels, sequins and feathered costumes, 10 Mas (Masquerade) bands participated in the Junior Carnival, with 50 to 200 participants in each. The junior parade has been going strong since 1977 as part of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the largest Caribbean Carnival event in North America which attracts close to two million people annually and in which Unifor enthusiastically participates.
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, welcomed over 100 participants of various backgrounds in and around the Greater Toronto Area.
This year, Unifor National contributed $20,000 towards Unifor Local 40 in cooperation with Sunlime Canada for the Caribbean Carnival.
“We are proud to support the Carnival and events like this that foster a sense of community, pride and bring people together from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their heritage,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
“Carnival has been part of my life since I was a child and it becomes such a special thing to celebrate each year, woven in the social fabric of our members.”
Several Carnival events, such as the junior parade, lead up to the Grand Parade on Aug. 2, 2025. The parade is usually held on the Saturday before the Civic holiday in August, to coincide near August 1 Emancipation Day, which commemorates the emancipation of slaves of African descent.
Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council (ORC) donated $18,000 towards Sunlime’s participation the Junior Carnival and Grand Parade.
“It’s so inspiring to see young people take part – learning, dancing, and connecting with the rich traditions of their ancestors,” said Unifor ORC Chair Shinade Allder. “It’s a living lesson in solidarity, freedom, and the enduring impact of cultural expression.”
Sunlime Canada event coordinator and Unifor Local 40 President Dwayne Gunness said Unifor’s support allows 100 kids from the Greater Toronto Area to join the festivities and that that joy often continues for many years until they can participate in the Grand Parade when they’re older.
“We see a group of young people who started with us many years ago and now enjoying the adult aspect to it,” said Gunness.
