The Saint Lucia Toronto Association (S.L.T.A.), under the auspices of the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto, hosted Saint Lucia’s 41st Anniversary of Independence Gala in Toronto, on Saturday, March 07th, 2020, at Destiny Banquet Hall, in Woodbridge.
The highly anticipated event, which was part of Saint Lucia’s 41st Anniversary of Independence activities in Canada, did not disappoint! It drew a diverse crowd, which included Saint Lucian Government Officials, Diplomats, association members, nationals, groups and supporters from various Caribbean islands and foreign embassies.
Saint Lucians exuded national pride, as they strutted in variations of the national wear and show-stopping ensembles in the national colors. The Masters of Ceremony, Saint Lucian nationals, Cornelius ‘Buddy Love’ Raphael and Shirin Tobie-Paul’s onstage chemistry, was undeniable and the duo kept the crowd thoroughly entertained with their playful banter, throughout the evening.
Keynote speaker at the event, former Governor General of Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, highlighted the significance of Saint Lucians in the Diaspora, congregating to celebrate the achievements of Saint Lucia as a nation. She also implored nationals to continue participating and contributing towards efforts, which will assist in strengthening the collective contribution that can be made to our homeland.
Saint Lucia’s Minister for External Affairs, Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, in her address, explained that the latter part of this year’s independence theme ‘Let’s do this together.’, not only speaks to Saint Lucians coming together for one purpose but also refers to the friends and partners of Saint Lucia, who play a significant role in assisting in the development of our country. She expressed her gratitude for the foreign assistance that the country has received and also applauded the positive work being accomplished by Saint Lucians in the Diaspora.
Consul General, Ms. Cheryl Francis, with assistance from Honourable Sarah-Flood Beaubrun, presented certificates of appreciation, to five (5) organizations, on be half of the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto, for the continuous support and assistance they have provided to Saint Lucia. The Saint Lucia-Toronto Association (SLTA) also presented five (5) members of the Saint Lucia Diaspora, with awards for their ongoing support, involvement and outstanding work within the Saint Lucian community and Canada.
The evening was brought to life by a number of young entertainers, who lit up the floor with a kaleidoscope of colors and dynamic runway and dance performances, while DJ Toxic, Just Friends Band and Saint Lucia Brand Ambassador and former groovy soca king, Arthur Allain, kept the audience on their feet all night long, as people boogied to back-in-time and soca tunes.
