Caribbean Women’s Society (CWS) cries foul as Brampton MPP seeks to hold consultations for ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’
Sara Singh, deputy leader of the Ontario NDP wants to introduce a private members bill recognizing ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’ in Ontario. This has drawn the ire of the Caribbean Women’s Society, a non-for-profit organization that self-proclaimed ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’ as October in 2018 and has successfully campaigned a handful of the 444 municipalities in Ontario to follow suit. A question has now arisen as whether an obscure five-member female board can speak for the varying ethnic, racial, religious and gender identities of the 350,000 Caribbean people who reside in Ontario. How much political and social capital does an organization formed four years ago hold in a diaspora present in this province for over fifty years?

Has the deputy leader of the NDP overstepped in wanting public consultations done before the bill is presented to the legislature? The CWS is adamant that they are the sole arbiter of ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’ and any attempt to bring it to provincial proclamation must be sanctioned by them. Them own it and no fass and out ah place upstart politician could juss come so and take dey thing. Gazza dem say, and if ah war, them ready to defend it.


While one has the right to question Ms. Singh’s motives and approach, it cannot be done criticizing a process that appears more transparent than the one CWS seeks to validate. The criticism against Singh’s bill cannot simply be ‘we started it first’ or ‘we’ve been doing it for a year’ because one is then inclined to ask under whose authority does the CWS speak? (which Canadian Caribbean election did we miss?) What their consultation process entailed and what were the measurable results of that engagement? Most importantly, outside of their organization, where is the community support for this protest? Their daily twitter diatribes are replete with self serving and dishonest boastings but conspicuously absent are any letters of support from their alleged community partners much less any reputable Caribbean entity. A perceived slight in recognition should not elicit an attack of a legislative process that is the cornerstone of a democratic society. A survey passed around to social networks and splinter groups under CWS’s umbrella cannot pass as consultation for legislative bill.
If we are being genuine about engaging with the Caribbean population, transparency and accountability must trump ego and self-interest. City council proclamations do not have the same weight and recognition of a provincial bill. A provincial bill is rightly more rigorous. The CWS is in essence protesting the rules and procedures of a civil society.

As a taxpayer there’s a wariness about CWS’s voracity to link itself inextricably to ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’. Can Ontarians trust an organization that rebuffs community oversight and transparency in bill making with provincial funds that will undoubtedly be solicited for commemoration activities? Have we not learnt from our management of Caribana? CWS must show itself committed to a proclamation and bill making process that involves a wider scope of individuals and organizations; academics, community leaders, educators, business people, Caribbean governments and most importantly the Caribbean individual.

What has troubled me is the perceived organizational ownership of the concept of ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’ and the language being used to describe Caribbean people. There is no CARICOM or Caribbean governmental document that refers to Caribbean people as ‘Caribbeans’ yet unbeknownst those outside of CWS network the Ontario Parliament is being asked to refer to West Indian people as such.
October as ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’
While the CWS is proud of its home work that justifies October as CHM this writer questions the tying of Caribbean Heritage to Canadian legislative history and act that some argue is racist while ignoring an holistic approach which considers historic, educational, socio- economic and cultural factors. CWS has effectively prevented dialogue on which month will elicit the most amount of community engagement, governmental support, corporate sponsorship and visibility. Possible creative linkages to Caribana and Emancipation Day are now muted. A diaspora born under of the warmth of the Caribbean sun is now asked to celebrate its presence cowering over a cold October breeze.
What’s the capacity of the CWS and its partners to manage Caribbean Awareness Month?
The strength and capacity of an organization speaks to its ability to deliver on performance metrics. With the CWS, are we talking about a five thousand strong organization with chapters throughout the province or membership reminiscent of a transient whisky club? Event clips from its social media page strategically avoid showcasing the poor turnout the CWS events. CWS founder and chair Camille Kerr is asking the province via an unscrutinized private members bill to grant stewardship of an important celebration to an entity whose event numbers can’t full a twenty-four-seater maxi taxi.
So, what’s the big deal? ‘It’s just a month’ who cares how it gets done
As a mature immigrant to Canada I find myself in professional and social spaces navigating the missteps and incompetencies of the figure heads of Canadian Caribbean leadership past and present. I am continuously appalled at what’s gets passed off and accepted as Caribbean culture and identity. Critiques of situations like this play a small part in developing a culture of discipline and a standard of accountability and authenticity that has been absent for decades and contributed to Caribbean diaspora being seen as nothing more than a docile immigrant bloc ripe for exploitation and caricature. If we don’t get this right, what happens when we tackle carding, access to healthcare, treatment by the law?
The CWS has opened itself up to scrutiny by hedging on the misbelief that its credentials and impact would not being appraised while embarking on a smear campaign against members of the Ontario Black Caucus. A bill as important as this cannot be decided in the secrecy of a five-person board room. Besides pride, what does the CWS have to lose by opening up the process to public consultation?
Yes, CWS can be commended for their presence and work in their communities since its inception. Non-for-profit work is one of the pillars of our society so their work on ‘Caribbean Awareness Month’ should be taken into consideration in the parliamentary process. That being said, any organization that asserts burdensome and unrealistic bill stipulations on a public good for the sake of ownership and gain is an organization that does not respect civil discourse and procedure. We must guard against our carnal desires to claim community initiatives as our own, humility and self-selfness must prevail or else we risk being no different than those who have caused the necessity of ‘Black History Month’ and very soon ‘Caribbean Awareness Month’

Maybe MPP Singh does have ulterior motives for adopting this bill but like a good politician she’s doing what needs to be done to at least make an appearance of transparency. In comparison, can the CWS provide board minutes showing alternative months were given legitimate consideration? The obscene level of entitlement projected on their social media rants is reminiscent of Caribbean politicians, obnoxious campaigning against their opponents under the guise of persecution when in reality it’s about protecting their access to prestige. So, beyond who gets credit for ‘creating’ Caribbean Heritage Month, important questions to be asked are, do these community organizations operate at a level that actually impacts the groups in their mission statements or are they nothing more than vanity projects? Are our members of parliament doing enough to bring awareness and initiate collaboration with the communities they serve?
Some important questions for the CWS to answer:
1. Is the CWS claiming exclusive ownership of the ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’ banner? and if so how will the CWS approach ‘Caribbean Heritage Month’ events that do not hold CWS support or endorsement?
2. Can a self-proclaimed women’s organization comprising of a five-member executive board of cis gendered women speak for 350,000 persons including, men, trans persons and youth?
3. Where is the meaningful representation of men, transgender, and youth within the organization?
4. Can the CWS provide evidence of a sizeable and vibrant membership?
5. Did the CWS advertise and hold public consultations meetings on Caribbean Heritage Month before their proclamation?
6. Can the CWS provide evidence it has the confidence and support of the 350,000-member Caribbean diaspora in Ontario?
7. Does the CWS have evidence of endorsement from CARICOM or any Caribbean government of ‘Caribbean Heritage Month?
8. Which academics, business and community leaders did the CWS consult before self-proclaiming October ‘CHM’?
9. Does the CWS have any academic or governmental evidence that the inhabitants and governments of the Caribbean identify as ‘Caribbeans’ as opposed to ‘West Indian’ ‘Caribbean people’ etc.
10. Is the CWS open to a month other than October and if not why?
11. If a public consultation results in support for an alternative month, how would the CWS receive this?
