a note of gratitude & thanks
An Open Letter to the Community
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I announce my resignation as President of Mexican Day Toronto.
It’s been my life’s work to learn about and share the deep love I have of Mexican culture and heritage not just with Mexicans, but with everyone I could.
Last year, in 2024, we commemorated 30 years of celebrating Mexican Independence Day in Toronto. Since 1995, I was one of the founders of the annual Mexican Independence Day celebrations here in Toronto, working tirelessly to create and grow a celebration that combined food, dance, song, the arts as well as business opportunities for the community. All the time, planning, organizing and work invested was entirely voluntary. When we created the latest organizing body of the event, I insisted that it be written in our founding documents that the work of all the Board of Directors be voluntary and unpaid.
So it saddens me greatly to say that I cannot in good conscience continue in my role as President of Mexican Day Toronto.
Non-profits have a legal obligation to operate ethically, legally and morally, with a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the non profit, not our individual selves, for selfish reasons, neither to mislead, be untruthful or unaccountable. For a multitude of clear, evidence based reasons I will not go into further here, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot in good faith continue my involvement with this non profit as I perceive it to no longer be a viable or legally conforming entity.
My sincerest thanks goes out to all the performers I have had the pleasure of working with. I’ve grown up with so many of you and I have cherished seeing you flourish and grow. You all fill my heart with joy.
My thanks to all the businesses, partners, sponsors and vendors that have been with us over the years. From the small businesses just starting out, to the largest corporations, your support and care for the community fuels the event and your continued success has meant so much to me.
My heart goes out to all the volunteers I have had the pleasure to work with. Without you, your efforts, dedication, sweat, ideas and help, we simply would not have been able to have an event. You are the hands, eyes, ears and feet I simply cannot replace.
Special thanks goes to the City of Toronto and the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto for being such wonderful partners in this journey. Working with you has been a pleasure and it truly is like working with family every single time as we reach for new heights year after year.
Finally, I would like to thank all my friends and family. You have been with me through all those late nights, asking how you can help, keeping me on track when things seemed overwhelming, a shoulder to cry on, people to share joy with and always cheering me on with limitless energy and care.
Without all of you, your love, your efforts and support, none of this would have been possible.
At this time, I’m requesting privacy in order to reflect and think about what the future holds for me. After dedicating so much of my life to the arts and sharing my love of Mexican culture and heritage, I do not know what comes next, but let’s keep in touch. You can follow and contact me at hilda@mexicanfiesta.ca or mexicanfiesta.ca.
Hilda Panasiuk - April 1 2025
