Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto

09/12/2026

Guyana has sent its first ever delegation to participate in the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), currently being held in Canada, from September 10 to 20.

The delegation participating in this 51st TIFF comprises Guyanese filmmakers who have been in the industry for some time and are being given the opportunity to showcase their work internationally.

TIFF is a forum where the global film, series, and innovation industries come together to power the future of the screen sector.

Following his Diaspora Engagement in Canada in May last, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, announced that as part of efforts to expand Guyana’s film industry, the country will be partnering with TIFF.

09/04/2026

The Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto, on Tuesday Sept. 1, 2026, joined the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at a special reception to celebrate the sister CARICOM State’s 64th Independence anniversary.

Honorary Consul Mani Singh attended the function, held at the Trinidad & Tobago Consulate in Toronto, on behalf of the Government of Guyana and Guyana Consulate, Toronto.

Guyana and Trinidad have shared deep bilateral relations since the early 1970's and their citizens continue to collaborate in areas of culture, sports and commerce, among other fields.

Consul General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Simone Young, delivered brief remarks while reflecting on her country’s journey over the years since it gained independence from Britain.

President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, visited Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year where he met with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, for bilateral meetings in which the two countries agreed on a development, trade, and economic agenda that would see the enhancement of the bilateral relationship between the countries, and, greater cooperation and integration between both country’s economies and peoples.

Food security, inclusive of investment opportunities, energy integration, technology exchange, transfer of human capital development, strengthening security, and the establishment of a working group to remove barriers to trade and competitiveness between the two countries, were among issues discussed between the two CARICOM Heads of Government.

Guests at Tuesday’s reception included members of the Caribbean Consular Corps, members of the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora in Canada, and members of the business community.

Also present were representatives of a visiting Trinidad and Tobago trade and investment mission who are here under the auspices of that country’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

The Crown of Creation

In celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Qibla Foundation and Islamic Muslim Organization (IMO), Toronto, jointly hosted "The Crown of Creation" on August 22, 2026, at the IMO of headquarters in Rexdale, Ontario.

The gathering featured insightful talks from Shaykh Jamal Zahabi, Ustadha Leasha Prime, Shaykh Mahdi Lock, and Imam Yama Niazi, who reflected on the life, character, and legacy of the Prophet, alongside vital spiritual topics.

A highlight of the evening was the presence of Mani Singh, Honorary Consul Guyana, who delivered an inspiring message emphasizing peace, unity, and inclusiveness within the diverse community.

Consul Singh also brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government and people of Guyana.

The evening was an overwhelming success, marking a meaningful milestone for both IMO and the Qibla Foundation, as they look forward to many more impactful collaborations ahead.

A warm welcome was extended to the approximately 400 attendees by brother Omar Farouk, President of IMO.

08/25/2026

The Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Toronto, Canada extends YOUMAN NABI GREETINGS to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Guyana and the diaspora on this sacred occasion of the Birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad.

May we seize the opportunity to reflect, promote and practice the divine teachings of the Prophet, including compassion, selflessness, charity, forgiveness, respect, love and peace to all of humanity.

08/17/2026

The One Love Family Services a/k One Love Table-Toronto, headed by Brother Habib Ali, hosted a Bar-B-Q on Sunday August 16th, 2026 in Scarborough, Ontario.

The event was attended by many members of our Guyanese diaspora, including our own Honorary Consul Mani Singh, who was invited as the special guest.

Honorary Consul Singh brought Greetings on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Government and people of Guyana and his colleagues at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto.

He thanked all the organizers of the event, with special mention of the many volunteers whom he described as the silent heroes and heroines, and the backbone of any organization, be it religious, cultural, political, civic or social.

According to One Love Table organizers, the proceeds of the Bar-B-Q will be used to assist families affected by the recent MV Barima ferry tragedy in Guyana.

08/16/2026

Members of the Guyanese diaspora from Enterprise Village, on the East Coast Demerara, held a grand community picnic at the Wildwood Park in Malton-Mississauga, on Saturday August 15, 2026, with the full support of Honorary Consul Mani Singh and the Guyana Consulate in Toronto.

The Annual event, organized by the former residents of Enterprise, E.C.D., drew hundreds of Guyanese and friends both from Enterprise and other Guyanese villages.

In true Guyanese style, the crowds arrived early with their well-prepared selections of sumptuous traditional food and snacks, to set up their tents in strategic locations of their choice throughout the park, under a clear blue summer sky.

Supporters of the annual event got the opportunity to win raffle and other prizes as the sound system provided much appreciated musical entertainment across the grounds, as some danced to popular chutney selections and other genres.

Honorary Consul Singh, addressed the picnickers, bringing greetings from His Excellency the President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the government and people of Guyana.

Consul Singh also seized the opportunity to remind everyone present of the various services provided by the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, including Passports, Overseas Registration of Birth for children born in Canada to Guyanese parents or parent , NIS pension, Notarization of documents, etc.

Also making brief remarks was visiting special guest, People’s Progressive Party/Civic stalwart, women’s rights activist, and former Cabinet Minister, Mrs. Indra Chandrapal, who expressed appreciation to all for their sacrifices during the struggle for democracy, the rule of law, and for a society in which freedom of choice is respected.

Honorary Consul Singh congratulated the organizers of the ‘Enterprise Day’, picnic, especially Mr. Chandar Jairam and his daughter, Veena Jairam, and urged the gathering to take advantage of the many investment and other opportunities now available in Guyana due to the country’s unprecedented economic growth and the massive expansion of social infrastructure.

Honorary Consul Singh was accompanied by Mr. Robert Bazil, Executive Officer of the Guyana Consulate 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, Queen's College Alum, Dr. 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.