TORONTO, July 15 /CNW/ - At the official launch today, Scotiabank
Caribana provided a glimpse of the fun to come and outlined the events that
will delight audiences over the next several weeks. The launch, which was held
at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square, featured pannists and mas costumes.
    "We are very excited about this year's schedule of events, from the
parade and selection of the King and Queen to the Junior Carnival," said Joe
Halstead, Scotiabank Caribana Festival Management Committee Chair and CEO. "In
designing the 2008 schedule we brought back the traditional elements that
continue to entertain and delight and we have added some new elements, like
the Scotiabank Caribana Gala, to broaden our celebration."
    Among the new events, the Scotiabank Caribana Gala will be held on
July 25th at the Liberty Grand, patronage of The Right Honorable Lincoln M.
Alexander, PC, OC, BA, LLD., and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. This
event will honour the founders of the Caribana Festival, recognize key
contributors and artists, and introduce High School/University Students to the
Industry of Carnival Arts through a scholarship programme. Proceeds from the
event will support the Toronto Caribana Foundation and future community
initiatives. Tickets for this event are still available.
    "Caribana pumps up more than hot summer excitement, it also pumps up our
economy and spotlights Toronto as a great tourist and cultural destination,"
said Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca. "It also attracts visitors from around
the world and showcases the great diversity our province has to celebrate."
    Details of this year's events can be found in the attached backgrounder
or are available online at www.caribanafestival.com
    "We are very proud to be a part of this festival that brings together
visitors and residents of all backgrounds to celebrate Caribbean culture right
here in Toronto," said Chris Hodgson, Scotiabank Executive Vice-President and
Head of Domestic Personal Banking. "Scotiabank has had a presence in the
Caribbean since 1889 which is even longer than we've been in Toronto. As the
largest bank in the Caribbean region we are very proud to help bring the
sights, sounds and tastes of this amazing region to the city."
    In addition to being a key cultural event in the City of Toronto, the
2007 event also generated an estimated $350 million in economic activity in
the city.
    "Scotiabank Caribana is one of Toronto's oldest and most spectacular
traditions," said Mayor David Miller. "For 40 years it has been one of the
events that defines us as Torontonians and allows us to show to the world what
a truly diverse city can be. Scotiabank Caribana not only enriches this city
culturally and makes it more liveable, it generates more than $300 million in
economic activity for local businesses."
    The Scotiabank Caribana Festival is an expression of Toronto's
multicultural and multiracial society. The Festival is now celebrating its
41st anniversary. The Caribbean Cultural Committee has licensed the name
Caribana to the FMC. For more information, please visit
http://www.caribanafestival.com/events.html.
    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2007 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education and social services. Please visit us at
www.scotiabank.com./NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/