Toronto Carnival aka Caribana 2006 will take place as scheduled this year but under new management, a new name and with the assistance of the National Carnival Bands Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
By Julien NeavesThis was disclosed yesterday by Courtney Doldron, Treasurer of Toronto Mas Bands Association (TMBA) which has taken over responsibility of Toronto Carnival from the Caribbean Cultural Committee (CCC).
The name of the festival has been changed from "Caribana", which is copyrighted by the CCC, to the "Toronto Caribbean Carnival".
Doldron was speaking at a press conference held at the NCBA offices, Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
He said that the CCC had forfeited receipt of funding for the festival from the city of Toronto when they failed to submit an unqualified financial statement by February 2006.
He noted that the CCC was cautioned last year when it had also failed to produce the statement.
He said that the TMBA was invited to apply for the funds which they completed successfully and for the first time in the history of Toronto Carnival the mas makers will be producing the entire festival. Doldron noted that one major requirement from the city was the establishment of a "neutral, arms length body" called the Festival Management Committee which will look after the operations aspect of the festival.
The non-profit organisation will be receiving a cultural grant of Cdn$800,000, which represents a five per cent increase from the previous year, from the City of Toronto.
He noted that the bulk of the funds will be going to the stakeholders including the mas men, calypsonians and steelbands.
He said the events of the two week festival remain intact and the route has not been changed. The parade of the bands this year will feature eight to ten Trinidadian mas bands, including Legacy, Tribe and Trini Revellers, and 16 Toronto based bands. Doldron noted that most of the participants were from this country.
Secretary of the NCBA Wrenwrick Brown said that the link with the TMBA was part of a new policy drive to link internationally with as many Carnival festivals in the world.
Brown noted that the NCBA they will be assisting the Canadian association by providing managerial assistance and proper judging for the events.
NCBA public relations officer David Cameron noted that the association had been previously involved with Caribana and have sent up Carnival Kings and Queens over the years.
Many artistes from the Caribbean and this country have been hired to perform for the festival including Iwer George, Shurwayne Winchester, soca band Traffik and chutney artist Anil Bheem.
Doldron noted that the festival earns CA $400 million every year for the city and next year will be its 40th anniversary.
