* Mr. Duncan Ross, Executive Director, City of Toronto Economic Development & Tourism, calls Africana Village project, "an interesting and exciting celebration of Toronto's multicultural diversity".
* The Hon. Jason Kenney, M.P. Minister of Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity says " I cant get it out of my head"
* The Hon. Caroline Di Coco, M.P.P. Former Minister of Culture "Your concept is very interesting and worthy of exploring"
* The Honourable Roy McMurty, Former Chief Justice of Ontario "appears to be a noble venture"
* John A. Macintyre V. P. Development ,Toronto Economic Development Corp. (TEDCO) "appears to be an interesting and exciting and celebration of Toronto's multicultural diversity"
* Mr. Eric Kuehn, World Famous City Design Guru "The Waterfront you have should be seven, eight, nine, ten, villages, all different. Toronto Sun, June 14th, 2007".
Moving Forward:
AfriCana Village promoters/developers have had promising discussions with several key Provincial and Federal government Ministers to discuss the possibility of receiving financial support and/ or investment in AfriCana Village. These discussions are ongoing and we strongly believe that AfriCana Village is an excellent investment opportunity for all three levels of governmnet. AfriCana Village is a viable, creative and innovative employment generating cultural tourism initative. Thus far, several political parties and or there representatives have given their commitment to assisting the African- Canadian/Caribbean Canadian community in moving forward with this project. AfriCana is fully cognizant of the political changes at the Federal level and anticipate full support from The Conservative Party of Canada as this initiative fits within their stated mandate of wanting to create opportunity and jobs for immigrant populations.
ORGANIZATIONS:
The Royal Ontario Museum has expressed interest in "partnership possibilities" and "cooperative arrangements" with the African Canadian History Museum component of AfriCana.
The United Way have pledged support to fund a feasibility study for the training of disadvantage youth for employment as it relates to AfriCana's operations.
The City of Toronto Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department has expressed interest. We have met with The Executive Director of Tourism for the City of Toronto Mr. Duncan Ross and Ms. Judy Morgan Director, Tourism & Development Research and they have both expressed their support for the concept of AfriCana Village and has pledged to work closely with us to bring this project to fruition.
New and continual meetings will be held with The Ministry of Multiculturalism & Canadian Identity, Heritage Canada, Human Resources Canada; Tourism Canada; Tourism Ontario; City of Toronto Economic Development, Culture & Tourism; Tourism Toronto; The United Way of Greater Toronto and others. A number of prominent African- Canadians and non-African Canadians have also expressed interest in this project. AfriCana will actively be seeking support and endorsement from prominent members of the African Canadian community and the wider community including corporate sponsorships and partnerships from a variety of entities.
SUPPORTERS:
AfriCana organizers/promoters have held numerous meetings with potential stakeholders, partners and supporters. The project has been well received by many of them. AfriCana anticipates strong support from the municipal, provincial, and federal government and the African-Caribbean Canadian community as well as the wider community. Mayor Miller has publicly declared that he will "work with us" on November 5th at a Mayoral Candidates First Friday debate. At same event Candidates Ms. Jane Pitfield as well as Mr. Stephen LeDrew also expressed their support. We have a letter of support from Premier McGuinty and Ms. Di Cocco, Minister of Culture. Ontario Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley has expressed his support and has championed this project from the outset. Councilor Brian Ashton has expressed his support and promised to champion this project at City Hall.
The following individuals and organizations or their office has recieved a copy of our vision plan and all have expressed interest and or support for AfriCana Village project in principle.
The Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Ontario Premier
The Hon. Jim Flaherty, M.P. Minister of Finance (Sue McGovern representative)
The Hon. Bev Oda, Heritage & Culture
The Hon. Jason Kenney, Min. of Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity
Jack Layton, M.P. Leader, NDP
David Miller, Mayor of Toronto
Ms. Elise Harding- Davis, President of the North American Black History Museum
(Buxton Ontario)
Royal Bank Foundation of Canada
John A. MacIntyre, Toronto Economic Development Corp. TEDCO
Tourism Toronto Olivia Chow, M.P. NDP
Dr. Afua Cooper, Author , Historian
Duncan Ross, Executive Director, Tourism, City of Toronto
Judy Morgan, Director Tourism Development Research, City Of Toronto
Dr. Howard McCurdy, Professor and Former NDP M.P.
Bas Balkinson, M.P. P.
John Godfrey, former Minister of Infrastructure
Hon. Jim Bradley, Former Minister of Ontario Tourism
Howard Hampton, M.P. Leader of NDP
Cheri Di Novo, M.P. NDP Culture Critic
Archie Alleyne, Canadian jazz music legend
Stanley Taylor, African-Canadian actor
Lonnie Taylor, Diplomatic Corp Government of Barbados (retired)
Dr. Ralph Agard
Roger Rowe, Attorney
Jamaal Magloire, Canadian NBA Star
Tom Zizys, Downtown East Community Development Collective.
Lord Museum Consultants
Talbot Consultants
The Tourism Company
Royal Ontario Museum
Museum of Civilization (Ottawa)
The United Way of Greater Toronto
The Ontario Trillium Foundation
Ministry of Social Development
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Tourism Canada
Tourism Ontario
Tourism Toronto
Toronto Board of Trade
Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation
International African Inventors Museum
Visions of Science Network for Learning
Artscape
Toronto Mas Band Association
Dalhousie University, Chair of Black Studies
His Worship, John Henry Jackson, Original partner and present owner of the Underground Railroad Restaurant brand.
African Children's Choir
Toronto Mass Choir
The Carriacou-Grenada Association of Ontario
Underground Railroad Heritage Tours Inc. / Glenn Dodd
African-Canadian Heritage Association
Ms. Audrey Walters, President, Black Business and Professionals Ass. (BBPA)
Mr. Paul Winn, Former Vice Chair, of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Councilor Brian Ashton
Councilor Adam Vaughan
Councillor Joe Mihevic