The Montreal Carnival Development Foundation, Inc, (herein called M.C.D.F.)  is a charitable, non-profit Foundation created because of the need of people of the Caribbean Diaspora[1] to find mediums of cultural identity and expression within the Canadian society.
 
M.C.D.F holds for its morals and social guidance, those principles that justify the right of all people to live in the Canadian society with equality and dignity. 

In the Caribbean, carnival is more than a cultural expression it is an instrument of social stability.  Among its many benefits, carnival is considered to be a social valve that produces psychological, sociological and economical benefits, not only to its participants, but also for society as a whole.  These factors are even more critical for Caribbean immigrants in Canada, many of who find themselves alienated by virtue of visibility.

The M.C.D.F has undertaken the promotion of an annual Caribbean Carnival festival. Carifete as one of main event for the summer  Although the main activity of this festival is the parade of the Carnival bands[2] along a pre-selected route on the streets of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, the M.C.D.F is also responsible for a series of related events that occur prior to and surrounding the Carifete parade.

M.C.D.F views Carnival as an important synthesis within the Canadian society; creating one of the necessary linkages which ensure cohesion among the various groups that make up the mosaic.  On one hand, it helps to stabilize the Caribbean community and on the other, it serves as a medium to expose the other groups within the society to the richness of the Caribbean culture. By promoting integration of the youth to the M.C.D.F will foster continuity, and ultimately, contributes to the harmony and stability of the society as a whole.

The MCDF have taken as part of it’s mandates to raise the profile of Caribbean people and the community as a whole and to bring the awareness of the community and the society as a whole the importance of helping the needy, giving scholarships, programs for the youths and the young adults the elderly teaching the art form of Carifete and assisting in the development of our young business men and women to prepare them for the future, for they are the people of tomorrow

The Constitution and By-Laws govern the administration and procedures of operation of the Montreal Carnival Development Foundation, Inc. However, the Constitution and By-Laws are the legal means for attaining the objectives of the Foundation and are not ends in themselves.

[1]  People from Nations within the Caribbean basin,, residing in Canada.            .

[2] Costumed Masqueraders,, in organized groups, depicting sundry themes and dancing in the streets to live and      pre-recorded  music.