Participating in Toronto Caribbean Carnival “empowering and liberating”

“To join the other participants dancing and singing gave me a sense of pride and freedom,” says Gloria Cardinal-Tan, who was one of 40 randomly selected ONA members invited to participate in the Grand Parade, considered to be the heart of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, along with members of the Board of Directors, other members and staff.

That meant ONA sponsored the spectacular costumes for these lucky members, considered an important component of the event, which are a reflection of the rich heritage of the Caribbean and have deep cultural significance. 

“When I first joined the parade in 2025, I received a lot of appreciation from my colleagues for representing the Caribbean community in our internal medicine unit at the hospital where I work,” Cardinal-Tan adds. “Due to popular demand from my unit, I applied and was randomly selected again. When my colleagues saw me in my costume and on the streets, they were elated and proud! Participating and wearing the costume was empowering and liberating.”

Rising Empire

This year, ONA once again joined EPIC Carnival, a dynamic and passionate medium-sized mas band, in the 59th anniversary of the Grand Parade on August 1, as part of the Empyreans section. EPIC Carnival explains that it chose the theme of “Rising Empire,” a bold reflection of growth, power and evolution, for their involvement in this year’s parade “to represent the continued rise of our band, our people and our culture as we step confidently into a new era of Carnival excellence.”

While this is ONA’s fourth year participating in the Grand Parade, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, once called Caribana, has been around for almost 50 years. In fact, the Caribbean tradition of parading through the streets is linked to the celebration of freedom and emancipation from slavery, and is celebrated in Toronto on what has been recognized by the Canadian government as Emancipation Day weekend.

“I thank ONA for giving me a chance to represent not just the Caribbean community on my hospital unit, but all cultures who experienced slavery and inequality,” notes Cardinal-Tan. “I’m a Filipino, but I belonged there. We Filipinos were once under the slavery of other countries, and by joining the street festival, I felt empowered. Never again a slave.”