Colleagues, I rise today to highlight an event that perfectly demonstrates the cultural dynamism of the Windsor-Essex community. The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County has been honoured with an Ontario’s Choice Award for its Carrousel of Nations event held in June 2024, which was named by Attractions Ontario as the top festival and event for 2024. This honour pays tribute to the festival’s profound impact and lasting legacy as it celebrates 49 years of culture and tradition in Windsor and Essex County.

Carrousel of the Nations is not merely a festival; it is a dynamic celebration of the diverse communities that enrich our region. Festival-goers can travel the globe without leaving home by visiting various villages throughout Windsor-Essex County and experience unique music, appreciate traditional clothing and taste mouth-watering cultural cuisine. There are around 30 different villages ranging from Canadian to Caribbean, Filipino, Italian, Lebanese, Mexican, Nigerian, Korean and Polish, to name a few.

According to Scott Despins, Fundraising and Community Engagement Manager for the MCC, Multicultural Council of Windsor-Essex County:

Once we truly understand people, that’s when acceptance, partnership, and friendship can grow. This festival is a spotlight of that.

At the heart of this festival is an organization dedicated to supporting Windsor’s newcomers and the community at large. According to the 2016 census, approximately 28% of the city’s population is foreign-born, and racialized groups make up 26% of our population, establishing it as the most diverse city in Ontario outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

Colleagues, as we observe Mental Illness Awareness Week and approach World Mental Health Day tomorrow, I want to connect the dots again and emphasize the connection between community cultural engagement and mental well-being and that this relationship is borne out by research.

I commend MCC Executive Director Fred Francis and staff member Mirjana Gordic for their leadership.

In closing, colleagues, the Carrousel of the Nations has routinely been voted one of the top 100 festival attractions in Ontario, taking the top prize in four out of the last six years. Next year, 2025, will mark its fiftieth anniversary, and I invite you to visit. Thank you, meegwetch.