Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto

Scenes from the flag raising ceremony, inter-faith service, and cultural show held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Consulate General of the Cooperative of Guyana in Toronto.

The curtains came down in grand style on Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations on May 30, 2026, as Guyanese and
friends of Guyana turned out in their hundreds to a flag raising ceremony, inter-faith service and cultural show, held in the North York compound of the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The highly anticipated large-scale event - the first of its kind to be held in the compound of the Toronto Consulate - saw Guests ditching the shade to enjoy the brilliant summer-like sunshine, as a noticeably renewed vigour of patriotism filled the air.

Mr. and Mrs. Osman Ali, the parents of His Excellency President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, joined Honorary Consul Mani Singh and staff of the Toronto Mission, in cutting the beautifully decorated 60th Independence Anniversary cake, as the huge crowd cheered, proud to be citizens of the fastest growing economy in the world, and free from the shackles of British Colonialism, 60 years ago.

Following the Land Acknowledgement by Gillian Williams, siblings Navita and Aninesh Persaud performed an indigenous dance and poem recital, followed by inspiring and healing inter-faith prayers by Pastor Andrew Eastman of the Grace Life Centre in Scarborough; Pandit Jageshwar Sharma of the Maha Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Mississauga; and Imam Shaykh Faisal of the Islamic Forum of Canada in Brampton.

The guests, who savoured a sumptuous and nostalgic Guyanese feast of chicken curry, channa and aloo curry, cook-up rice, dhal puri, potato balls and barbecue chicken, with mauby and sorrel beverages, witnessed the symbolic hoisting of Guyana’s National Flag, the Golden Arrowhead, by members of the Guyana Defence Force Ex-Soldiers Association of Canada.

The National Anthems of Guyana and Canada were sung by Shaundell Parris with musical accompaniment by our very own trumpeter extraordinaire and Juno Award winner, Jan Morgan, both of whom later entertained the audience with solo musical performances of patriotic and other selections.

The highlight of the entertainment segment showcased Guyana’s fusion of ethnic cultures with an Indo-Caribbean Fusion Dance by Alyssa Boodoo, Alanna Boodoo and Isabella James from the Footsteps Dance School; dancers from
the Children and Youth Dance Theatre, Averie Robinson, Aubrey Hinds, Azula Morrison Landu, Neveah and Tenaeya Martin, taking to the stage with an Afro-Caribbean dance performance, followed by Indian and Guyanese patriotic songs and dance by the Singh sisters, Suhana, Sumeera and Sunaya, accompanied by the Ramessar brothers, who later serenaded with musical pieces of their own.

Guyana-born, Ms. Fazia Roopchand of the Mayor of Brampton’s Office, was the MC for the proceedings, which drew Guyanese and friends of Guyana from the Greater Toronto Area and across Southern Ontario, who were welcomed by brilliant steel pan mastery by our very multi talented Toronto-based Guyanese artiste D’Jango-Jango pan fyah (Roy Mc Crea), as they arrived.

Honorary Consul Singh, in brief remarks, reiterated Guyana’s example to the world as a nation of six races with three official and three unofficial religions, coexisting in harmony as a free and independent country, pursuing the dream of “One Guyana”, in keeping with President Ali’s vision.

“We are living in the most interesting, fascinating and exciting times in the history of our country, where Guyana is expected to experience real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2026 in the 20% range, while industrialized nations are only expected to see real GDP growth in the low to medium single digit percentage range,” Mr. Singh told a highly energized gathering.

The Guyanese Representative in Toronto remarked that Guyana’s mind-boggling astronomical economic, infrastructural, social and cultural transformation, was effectively spearheaded by the President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led Administration, despite the country’s oppressive and cruel history of slavery, indentureship and colonial rule.

Scores of attendees commended the Consulate for what they described as a highly successful event, held outdoors, which they said provided the perfect environment for the diaspora to interact, reminisce and share experiences of an Independent Guyana over the last 60 years. All present were filled with much pride for our beautiful heritage.

The small but vibrant town of Ajax, Ontario, Canada, came alive on Monday May 25, 2026, as Guyana’s national flag, the Golden Arrowhead, was hoisted against a clear blue sky by the Ajax Guyanese-Canadian community of Ajax, on the eve of the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

Held at the Pat Bayly Square, Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Toronto, Mr. Mani Singh, delivered remarks on behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government and people of Guyana.

Among the guests were His Worship the Mayor of Ajax, Mr. Shaun Collier and Councillors, Mr. & Mrs. Osman Ali, the parents of His Excellency President Ali; and Ajax Mayoral Candidate, Guyana-born Ashmeed Khan.

Former Guyana Defence Force officer and candidate for Councillor on the Ajax City Council, Mr. Malcolm Barrington, hoisted the Golden Arrowhead while trumpeter extraordinaire and Juno Award winner Guyanese Jan Morgan, provided the musical accompaniment of the National Anthems of Canada and Guyana.

Honorary Consul Singh, in brief remarks, urged members of the diaspora to continue to promote Guyana and the concept of One Guyana for ALL Guyanese in their communities, as they celebrate the lowering of the British colonial Union Jack and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead.... on May 26th, 1966.

“We pay homage to our founding fathers, first and foremost, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who led the struggle for independence; Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Mrs. Janet Jagan; and stalwarts such as national poet Martin Carter, and veteran politicians Eusi Kwayana and Ashton Chase, and countless others,” Honorary Consul Singh remarked.

Mr. Singh spoke of the significant economic, infrastructural and social transformation that has taken place in Guyana over the last 60 years, and more recently, the status as the fastest growing economy in the world and the highest oil producer per capita.

The Honorary Consul described independent Guyana as a model for the rest of the world
to follow with six religions and six races co-existing side by side despite some temporary challenges.

Meanwhile, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are ongoing throughout the month of May, both in and out of Guyana...including on Saturday, May 30th on the lawn of the Guyana Consulate in Toronto @ 2:00 p.m.

Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations continued in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday May 24, 2026, with an annual Independence Church Service, held by the Anglican Church of the Nativity, in Scarborough, Ontario.

Each year, the church, whose membership comprises several prominent members of the Guyanese diaspora, has dedicated the closest Sunday to May 26, to celebrating Guyana’s Independence Anniversary.

Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Toronto, Mr. Mani Singh, was the main guest at the special service, which was followed by a much anticipated sumptuous Guyanese breakfast, which, of course, included tasty pepper-pot and ‘bakes and saltfish’.

The congregation was entertained with national songs by Jan Morgan, Guyanese trumpeter extraordinaire and Juno Award winner and soothed by musical renditions by John O'Dell, church member and diaspora stalwart.

Honorary Consul Singh, who was invited to address the congregation by the lead celebrant and officiating priest,
Rev. Amirold Lazard, brought independence greetings to the congregation behalf of His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government and People of Guyana.

Emphasizing that the colonial system was designed to only benefit a few at the expense of the majority.
Consul Singh recalled that the idea of Independence and freedom were envisioned by Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who also led the long and bitter struggle for Guyana's Independence from British Colonialism.
He also recalled a few others who were stalwarts in the Struggle for Independence, like Forbes Burnham, Mrs. Janet Jagan, national poet Martin Carter, veteran politician Eusi Kwayana, Ashton Chase, Brindley Benn and countless others, who sacrificed, and even paid the ultimate price, in many cases for our Independence and freedom.

Thanking Haiti-born Rev. Lazard, the Honorary Consul noted that it was Haiti that led the fight against the brutal system of slavery and colonialism more than 200 years ago, by freeing itself by force, from French colonial Empire thus inspiring uprisings in Guyana and the West Indies, and eventually the final fight for political and economic independence more recently.

“Many decades after attaining independence, Guyana stands as a proud nation…we practice inclusivity with six distinct races and religions in our land of 83,000 square miles, so we can be a model to the world when it comes to diversity, tolerance and inclusivity, Honorary Consul Singh lamented.

The congregation was urged by Mr. Singh, not to lose focus of the genocides, injustices, and war crimes taking place in the world today in which diplomacy is being replaced by the dogma of “might is right”.

Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations continued with a flag raising ceremony on May 25th, 2026, which was hosted by the Guyanese Canadian community of Ajax, Ontario. And, with a special outdoors Flag raising ceremony, Inter-Faith Service and cultural show on Saturday, May 30, 2026, to be hosted by the Toronto Consulate located at 505 Consumers Road, North York (on Tenant's parking lot).
All are welcome to join.
Happy Independence Day to all Guyanese and friends of Guyana.

Scores of Guyanese in the Peel Region of Ontario, Canada, braved continuous heavy rains on Saturday, May 23, 2026, to participate in a spectacular 60th Guyana Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony, Cultural Show and Fashion Extravaganza, held at the Brampton City Hall, under the auspices of Mayor Patrick Brown, in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto.

The highly anticipated event, although held mostly indoors, was the second such huge collaboration with the Town of Brampton which is home to some 14,000 Guyanese, many of whom are reinvigorated by the modern and transformative Guyana that our Government is working to build.

The ceremony opened with prayers by religious leaders of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths, following the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s national flag, outside, by City staff alone, because of the rain.

Guyana’s Honorary Consul Mani Singh, brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Government and people of Guyana.

The Guyanese representative recalled the long and gruelling fight for Guyana’s Independence by the country’s forefathers, but particularly noted the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s influence and inspiration across the English-speaking Caribbean, resulting in many regional nations attaining their independence, breaking free of the shackles of British colonial rule.

Honorary Consul Singh lauded Mayor Brown for hosting the event, which drew about 400 Guyanese and friends of Guyana, City Councillors, and the business and religious communities, in the Rotunda of City Hall.

Honorary Consul Singh noted that the lowering of the Colonial British Union Jack and the hoisting of the seal of Guyana’s independence, the Golden Arrowhead, ushered in a new era where the Nation became solely in charge of determining its own political and economic future.

He reflected on the painful history of the African slave trade and forced labour, which built European empires, followed by the inhumane slave-like conditions of Indian Indentured Servants, as the former slave masters chose to call them for legal reasons.

Mayor Brown, in his remarks, noted the great contribution of the 14,000 Guyanese living in Brampton, adding that many of them hold very senior positions at the Town of Brampton.

The Mayor recalled the “difficult period” in 2020 after the General and Regional Elections in Guyana when the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was kept from assuming office for several months, even though it had clearly won the elections.

According to Mayor Brown, the Guyanese residents of Brampton lobbied City leaders which led to the City Council passing a resolution supporting the PPP/C as the winner of the elections and demanding that Democracy should prevail.

Several groups of dancers of all ages wowed the crowd with tantalizing performances to various Caribbean genres and mixes, including soca, chutney, reggae and other music forms.

During the fashion display, models strutted in beautifully designed wear, including ethnic wear, depicting the creativity of Guyanese diaspora designers.

Guests in attendance were treated to a range of nostalgic Guyanese snacks such as patties, pholourie, bara and pine tarts, supplied by diaspora entrepreneurs in the community.

Saturday’s activities were among many organized across Canada by various Guyanese groups to mark the country’s Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary.

Dear fellow Guyanese and friends of Guyana,

The Guyana Consulate in Toronto, wishes to notify the public that in anticipation of the upcoming Diaspora Engagement with His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, attendees are invited to submit via email address [email protected] any questions or personal concerns. These submissions will be reviewed and addressed by the Office of the President. It is requested that personal concerns be highlighted in red, please.

The Consulate General wishes to share the following important information:

• 8:00 - Arrival of His Excellency at the Diaspora Engagement.

• 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Photo opportunity and public interaction with His Excellency.

• 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m - Presentation from the Mayor of Brampton and a representative from the Demerara Bank.

• 9:00 am - video presentation followed by the feature address by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, during this address His Excellency will respond to the submitted questions and concerns.

• 10:15 a.m. to 11:20 a.m - Photo opportunity and engagement with the Diaspora. The Consulate General wishes to thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you to the upcoming Diaspora Engagement on Saturday May 9, 2026.


Please see the attached flyer.

Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Toronto, Mr. Mani Singh, on Sunday May 3, 2026, commended several senior Guyanese, some in their 90s, for their decades of sterling contribution to Guyana and the diaspora in Canada.

Delivering brief remarks at the Annual Brunch of the Senior Guyanese Friendship Association, held at the Oasis Banquet Hall in Scarborough, Ontario, Honorary Consul Singh also brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Government and people of Guyana.

Mr. Singh reiterated the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto’s support for seniors in the diaspora, noting that its staff are committed to offering them exceptional consulate services, whether it be in relation to NIS pensions, notarization of documents, birth or marriage certificate applications, or acquiring new passports.

The Honorary Consul personally greeted and congratulated those seniors in their 90s and listened to their various stories and experiences as they reflected on their homeland and its rapid ongoing economic, social and infrastructural transformation.

The seniors were informed that His Excellency President Ali will be in Canada on Saturday May 9, 2026 at a massive diaspora engagement, and urged them to register to attend the forum because many of their concerns and questions may be covered at the event, which will also include key Ministers of the Government.

The Senior Guyanese Friendship Association was formed several decades ago to support and honour Guyanese both in the diaspora and in Guyana. Over the years, it has made several donations to seniors experiencing challenging conditions and situations.

The charitable association’s support base does not only include Guyanese, but citizens from sister CARICOM countries too.

The Guyana Consulate in Toronto extends Happy Arrival Day to our fellow Guyanese, both in Guyana and in the diaspora.

As Guyanese, irrespective of when our ancestors arrive or where they arrive from, let us strive to realize our National Motto of One People, One Nation....aspiring towards One Destiny.

And One Guyana for ALL Guyanese!