COLOMBIATON: From Canada, United for Colombia

Colombiatón: Canada United in Solidarity with Colombia

September 5, 2026 | Mississauga, Ontario
On September 5, 2026, the Colombian community and friends of Colombia gathered in Mississauga for Colombiatón, a solidarity day organized in response to the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10.
The Canada–Colombia Emergency Committee organized the event to turn pain into solidarity and that solidarity into concrete actions to support affected communities.

Canada Answered the Call

Colombiatón was attended by representatives from various levels of government:

• Mayor Carolyn Parrish, Mayor of Mississauga;
• Councillor Stephen Dasko, Ward 1;
• Councillor Chris Fonseca, Ward 3;
• Councillor Dipika Damerla, Ward 7;
• MPP Rudy Cuzzetto; and
• MP Fares Al Soud.

The Committee sincerely thanks them for their presence and support for the community. The Committee extends special recognition to Mayor Carolyn Parrish and Councillors Stephen Dasko and Chris Fonseca for their support and contributions, which made the event possible.

United for Chocó

After assessing the needs, the Committee decided to focus its efforts on Chocó, a historically challenged region where needs remain significant.
Colombiatón centred its cause on the Departamental Hospital San Francisco de Asís in Quibdó. With nearly a century of service, the hospital continues to care for thousands of people despite great difficulties.

It stands strong. It keeps serving. It keeps resisting. It keeps saving lives.

Supporting the Hospital San Francisco de Asís means supporting the entire department and thousands of people who depend on its healthcare services.

Responsibility and Transparency

Colombiatón was organized with responsibility and transparency, ensuring every contribution has a clear destination and that the community is informed about how the funds are used.
To this end, the Committee is supported by the Drawing Alegria Foundation, a registered Canadian charity that assists with the receipt, management, and distribution of the funds.

A Thank You to Those Who Made Colombiatón Possible

The Canada–Colombia Emergency Committee gives special recognition to Sweet Metropolitan Services, official sponsor of Colombiatón, and to its owner, Dulce Banegas, for their generous support and for extending this gesture of solidarity from Canada to Colombia.

We also thank LIUNA Local 183, Platinum sponsor, and Mr. Jaime Cortez for their support and commitment to the Hispanic community.
Our gratitude extends to all members of the Canada–Colombia Emergency Committee, participating organizations, volunteers, sponsors, donors, exhibitors, media outlets, and every person who made this day possible.

Colombiatón was more than a fundraising event. It was a space to support one another, share our pain, renew hope, and show that—even from afar—we can come together to help.
From Canada, we send a resolute and hopeful message:

Colombia, you are not alone!

Claudia Montoya
President
Board of Directors, Casa Cultural Colombiana
Toronto — Sep 6, 2026