Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto

08/07/2026

Guyanese of all ethnicities and backgrounds, in the Greater Toronto Area, converged at the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto, on Tuesday evening, August 5, 2026, in observance of Emancipation Day.

Emancipation Day, which marks the anniversary of the declared end of the enslavement of Africans by European Colonial powers, was being held at a time when Guyana’s diverse population was already galvanized in support of the victims of the recent national tragedy in Guyana, sinking of the MV Barima ferry, that took the lives of over 100 Guyanese including many children.
Honorary Consul Mani Singh led the audience in a 2-minute silence in memory of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy.

The featured speaker, Guyana-born veteran Educator and University of Guyana Alumni, Mr. Reginald Thompson, delivered a moving and inspiring presentation on the lives of our African ancestors, who were forcefully brought in chains to lands in the Caribbean, North America and other parts of the world to endure hundreds of years of captivity as mere property/chattels of various European colonial masters....their names, culture, religion, history, and freedom, all wilfully stripped away from them forever.

Diaspora stalwart, Ms. Gillian Williams, who Emceed the proceedings read the Land Acknowledgement and read a heartfelt poem written by the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, titled, 'Dance for Drums of Freedom'.

Honorary Consul Mani Singh, who brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, reflected on the brutal and cruel Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the eventual abolition of slavery in the United Kingdom Parliament in 1833, and in the United States some three decades later in 1866.

Mr. Singh noted that the evil system of slavery by European colonizers continued for about 400 years in Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, and other parts of the Caribbean and can be described as one of the worst examples of "Mankind's cruelty towards their fellow men."

The Honorary Consul noted that it is fitting that August 1st is a National holiday in Guyana and other parts of the world, so that the pain and sacrifices our Ancestors experienced should never be forgotten.

Among those attending the event were Mr. Osman Ali and Mrs. Bibi Ali, the parents of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, many leaders of various Diaspora Organizations in the GTA and our very own Guyana-born Mr. Ashmeed Khan, Mayoral Candidate for the Town of Ajax, community just outside of Toronto.

08/05/2026

The United Muslim Association-Toronto and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha-Toronto, on Sunday August 2, 2026, jointly hosted an Inter-Faith Service and Tribute in honour of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy.

Prayers were led by Pastor Malcom Sobers and Bishop Ram Seepaul of the Christian faith; Pandit Jai Tiwari of the Hindu faith and Brother Jabar Ali of the Muslim faith.

The solemn ceremony drew a cross-section of members of the Guyanese diaspora, in spite of race, religion or political persuasion, some of whom recited poems, delivered musical renditions and offered other forms of tribute and support.

Speakers lamented the fact that in spite of noticeable differences and beliefs, humanity was the main focus of those honouring the victims and supporting the surviving loved ones.

Honorary Consul Mr. Mani Singh, who brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government and People of Guyana, commended the religious leaders for their collaboration.

According to Mr. Singh, the tragedy has touched Guyanese and friends of Guyanese all over the world, who have offered words of sympathy, condolences and other forms of comfort.

The Consulate General
of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto has received calls of support from the Caribbean Consular Corps and other diplomatic representatives from the international community.

The Honorary Consul said he was particularly saddened because a great number of those who perished were from Guyana’s indigenous community.

The Authorities have confirmed that 73 souls, including children, perished in the incident, with about 30 still missing, and 76 rescued.

08/05/2026

The Vedic Cultural Centre, Toronto Arya Samaj, in Markham, Ontario, in collaboration with members of the Guyanese diaspora and religious leaders, held a Multi Faith Evening of Prayers and Bajans on July 30, 2026, in honour of the victims of the MV Barima ferry tragedy, and in solidarity with grieving family members.

Prayers were done by religious leaders from the Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities, including Pastor Paul Singh, Pandit Vidyarthi Sriram, Brother Omar Farouk, Brother Habeeb Ali, Brother Haseeb Aziz and Christian brother Rudy Lochan, among others.

Speaker after speaker reflected on the stories of survival relayed by many survivors who said that as tragedy struck, there was no race, religion or creed, but just humanity in unity as Guyanese trying to save each other whether, family or stranger.

Prominent members of the Hindu faith, accompanied by talented young musicians, sang inspiring bajans in tribute to those who lost their lives.

Honorary Consul Mani Singh in brief remarks, brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government and people
of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The Honorary Consul updated the gathering on the search and recovery efforts and the statistics of victims and survivors, noting that His Excellency President Ali and the Government of Guyana are sparing no effort in trying to bring closure for loved ones.

The government has mobilized not only physical, but professional help in terms of counselling and therapeutic services.

Mr. Singh was particularly emotional by the fact that these types of tragedies are often heard of in countries far from Guyana, but when they happen at home, resulting in the largest fatal maritime incident in Guyana’s history, it hurts even more.

Meanwhile, as the event concluded, multi faith attendees gathered for sumptuous refreshments as they reflected on fond memories of life in Guyana.

07/30/2026

The Vishnu Mandir-Temple in colloboration with members of the Guyanese diaspora organized an Inter-Faith Service to honour the memory of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy, on Sunday July 27, 2026.

The event was held in the Peace Park of the Temple which is located on the lawns of the Hindu Temple on Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario. Special Inter-faith prayers were offered by religious leaders representing Guyana’s three official religions, as well as moving tributes by leaders of our Guyanese diaspora.

Prayers were done by Dr. Shabir Ally of the Muslim faith; Pastor Gord Rankissoon of the Christian faith and Pandit Bhojnarine Sharma of the Hindu faith.

Honorary Consul Mani Singh, in brief remarks, said that "the MV Barima incident is a tragedy of unprecedented magnitude which has touched Guyanese both inside and outside of Guyana... regardless of race, religion, culture or history."

Noting the country’s collective response to the tragedy, Honorary Consul Singh remarked: “we are a proud country of six ethnic groups who practice three official religions - Christianity, Hinduism and Islam - and three unofficial faiths, Rastafarianism, Bahaism and Buddhism”.

Mr. Singh commended the community and religious leaders who organized the event, including Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay, spiritual leader of the Vishnu Mandir and Mr. Winston Kassim, a prominent member of the diaspora.

While we mourn the loss of life of so many people, we are particularly touched by the loss of the children, the Honorary Consul added.

The organizers announced to both Guyanese and friends of Guyana present that a special fund will be set up to assist indigenous communities in Guyana where most of the victims hail from.

The event was chaired by Mr. Dhaman Kissoon, prominent attorney-at-law in the diaspora.

07/25/2026

More scenes from the Night of Prayers and Reflections in memory of the MV Barima victims, held last evening, July 24th, 2026, at the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto.

07/25/2026

Last evening, July 24th, 2026, the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto organized a Night of Prayers and Reflections in memory of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy, which occurred off Guyana's coast a week ago.

Held in the compound of the Toronto Consulate on the last of three days of declared national mourning and chaired by Honorary Consul Mani Singh, the sombre gathering commenced with a moment of silence to reflect on the lives lost, and in support of all the families affected by this tragedy and the entire Nation.

A highlight of the event was the lighting of memorial candles led by staff of the Toronto Consulate; followed by Mr. and Mrs. Osman Ali, the parents of His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali; inter-faith religious leaders; and Miss Samara Sukhai, a young child of Amerindian ancestry - representative of the many children who perished in this tragedy.

Mrs. Prema Singh, wife of Honorary Consul Singh and Mrs. Anjanie Pershad, an Executive Officer at the Guyana Consulate, sang the National Anthems of Canada and Guyana.

Interfaith prayers were led by Pastor Joe Persaud of Empowered Life Church; Pandit Vidyarthi Sriram of the Vedic Culture Centre; and Imam Dr. Shabir Ally, of IslamInfo.com

A member of the diaspora Ryan Singh, who lost his cousin, who was a crew member of the MV Barima, spoke of his personal grief, recalling fond memories, and offered condolences to others whose loved ones also died in the worst marine tragedy in the history of Guyana.

Community reflections came from Mr. Sean George of the Guyana Ex-Soldiers Association; Mr. John O’Dell, Guyana Ex-Police Association; Mr. Bejai Jairam, Association of Concerned Guyanese; Mr. Malcolm Cho-Kee, Guyana Independence Celebrations Committee; Ms. Gillian Williams, Diaspora Leader; Mr. Omar Farouk, Diaspora Leader; Mr. Liaquat Baksh, Community Leader; Mrs. Raffina Zonbia, The One Guyana Forum; and Ms. Kim Singh, Global Peace Ambassador.

The event was also graced by the presence of members of the Caribbean Diplomatic community... including Mr. Victor Garcia, Consul General of Cuba; Mr. Gerry Hopkins, Consul General of Grenada; and Ms. Gail Christian, Consul General of Antigua and Barbuda who is also the current Chairperson of the Caribbean Consular Corps, and who delivered a very fitting and heartfelt tribute on behalf of all the other Member States of the Caribbean Consular Corps.

The program ended with the lighting of individual candles by everyone in attendance, while singing "Amazing Grace" led by our four Pastors present.

The Guyana Consulate in Toronto would like to thank our fellow Guyanese and friends of who came out to express their deep sympathies to the grieving families and to our Nation.

07/22/2026

07/21/2026

The Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto, is very saddened by the tragic capsizing of the MV Barima vessel on Saturday, July 18th, 2026, in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Coast of Guyana, while on route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

The Guyana Consulate, Toronto joins with the Government of Guyana in extending heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of those who lost their lives in this disaster and also to all our fellow Guyanese at home and in the diaspora who are affected in one way or another by this national tragedy.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the deceased and with our entire nation.

07/12/2026

Ms. Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was the honoured guest at the 2026 Independence Festival, held at Littles Park-Malvern Family Resource Centre, in Toronto, Ontario, on Saturday July 11, 2026.

Permanent Secretary Roopchand-Edwards,
who is on her first official visit to Canada since her appointment almost a year ago, interacted with members of the diaspora, Canadians of Guyanese ancestry, and friends of Guyana.

Bringing greetings on behalf of His Excellency, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Ms. Roopchand-Edwards reflected on Guyana’s 60 years as an independent nation, and more particularly, the country’s astronomical progress and growth in recent years, as the world’s fastest growing economy.

The Littles Park-Malvern Family Resource Centre event, was organized by the Guyana Independence Celebrations Committee following an official launch on Friday evening July 10, 2026.

The Permanent Secretary was welcomed to Toronto by staff of the Guyana’s Missions in Canada, including Minister-Counsellor and Acting High Commissioner, Ms. Cindy Sauers; and Consul General (Acting), Ms. Grace Joseph; Executive Officer III, Mr. Robert Bazil and Executive Assistant to the Honorary Consul, Ms. Devina Richmond from the Consulate in Toronto.

Mrs. Bibi Ali, the mother of His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and executives of the Guyana Independence Celebrations Committee, were also on hand to welcome Permanent Secretary, Roopchand-Edwards.

Guyanese vendors in their usual style, set-up their booths early so crowds can experience nostalgia cuisines, snow cones, beverages, and tasty snacks, while enjoy an entertaining cricket competition or just picnicking under their tents with family and friends.

Other booths included arts and craft, and the promotion of professional services and household products.

The 2026 Guyana Independence Festival commenced with a brief indoor opening ceremony, followed later by a cultural show.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Roopchand-Edwards presented trophies and medals to the winning cricket teams and presented gifts to lucky persons who answered a few trivia questions correctly.

07/06/2026

Happy CARICOM Day 2026 from The Consulate General of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Toronto