Secret Life of Canada

The Caribana* Episode (*and yes we're still calling it that)

Leah and Falen look into the orgins of the biggest street festival in North America, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

Leah and Falen look into the orgins of the biggest street festival in North America

A person in costume performs during Toronto's Caribana festival.
Seana Williams, 21, the "Queen of Toronto" performs during the parade of Caribana, one of the largest Caribbean festivals in North America, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada August 5, 2023. (Kyaw Soe Oo/Reuters)

How did this country end up with the biggest Caribbean Carnival in North America?  Leah and Falen dive into history of how a small one time event during Expo '67 became one of the longest running street parties in Canada — all courtesy of Trinidad and Tobago. With special guests Michelle Walker and Martin Scott-Pascal.

Listen to the episode here, and get transcripts of our series here.

Key References

Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Canadian Encyclopedia - Multiculturalism

Canadian Encyclopedia - Caribbean Canadians

Caribbean Carnival Exhibit: An Act of Opposition

Museum of Toronto - The Grand Parade

Kenneth Shah fonds - York University

Caribana, the greatest celebration by Cesil Foster and Chris Schwarz

Toronto Caribbean Carnival, a tribute book by David Ayers

Carnival is woman:feminism and performance in Caribbean mas Contributors: Henry, Frances, 1931- editor. ; Plaza, Dwaine, editor.