VIEWS ON THE NEWS


Stephen Weir, Gemma Gittens, Louise Noel-Ambrose, Wendy Jones, Jean Semper-Igwe & Louis Saldenah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Weir,

PR Professional

The answer? Carnival.  I have been working with the Caribbean Carnival (aka Caribana) since 1999 and as a result my two sons have grown up being a part of the parade and taking in the King and Queen and the City Hall launch. So while I am working the media tents, my wife and sons are usually in the stands. Jumping up its part of life for us. There is no other event in Canada that better speaks to our country’s 150th birthday than through the fellowship, history and fun of the Caribbean Carnival.

Gemma Gittens

Retired Medical Secretary

I have no plans as yet for Canada’s birthday celebrations, I will check out the events planned around the

city, and try to attend with my family and friends. Maybe I will just have a barbecue with family and friends.

I am sure there will be lots of events to attend when the time comes.

 

Louise Noel-Ambrose

Event coordinator

Our family is going to kick off the Celebrate Canada 150 by attending the annual Rev. John C. Holland Awards on Saturday, February 25 in Hamilton, Ontario. I have recently been appointed the Administrator. The Rev. John C. Holland Awards were established in 1996 as a part of Hamilton Sesquicentennial celebrations. An initiative of the Hamilton Black History Committee, these awards serve to recognize the significant contributions of African Canadians to our entire community. During the spring and summer we plan to take advantage of the free entrance to parks by taking day road trips within Southern Ontario.

Wendy Jones

Bandleader, Pan Fantasy

For Canada 150 celebrations, Pan Fantasy Steelband is hoping to do a few things .One thing in particular which we are planning is to have several groups  join us in a “multi -celebration” of music and Dance. Musical and dance groups from several cultural communities will join us at our Pan Yard at Downsview Park. Celebrating  Canada’s Birthday is a wonderful idea. We are grateful to be living in Canada.

Jean Semper-Igwe

Music Teacher

Canada Day will be a time for our family and some friends to get together for a picnic and barbecue.  The children will be involved in playing various games, while the adults sit and play board games- for example scrabble. Later in the evening ,we will go to AshBridges Bay to watch the fireworks and on our way back some of us will stop by one of the family members for another get-together.

Louis Saldenah

Carnival bandleader

 Because it’s a very special year – Canada’s 150th and Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s   50th –  Louis Saldenah Mas-k Club will be presenting for 2017 ” Celebration Time. ” The Band will be presenting seven sections  featuring the Caribbean and eight sections featuring Canada.