Veteran Jamaican reggae-dancehall artiste Capleton has received a special proclamation from the City of Brampton, Ontario, following his return to the Canadian stage.

The recognition was presented by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown during Capleton’s recent visit to Canada, where the veteran entertainer performed at the Soul Food Caribbean Festival’s Fire in the Park event in Vaughan, Ontario.

According to the proclamation, the City of Brampton acknowledged Capleton for his dedication to the community and his continued use of music and the arts to bring people together, inspire others and celebrate cultural diversity.

The city also highlighted his contribution to the music industry and described his work as an inspiration to emerging artistes and future generations.

Capleton, whose real name is Clifton Bailey III, said the words contained in the proclamation encouraged him to continue putting in the work after reflecting on the impact his career has had on people’s lives.

“When I read the words of the proclamation from the city of Brampton it inspires me to keep working hard in the music industry because I see how much of a positive impact I’ve had on people’s lives,” Capleton said.

He also reflected on the many years he has spent using his music to spread messages connected to Rastafari.

“It made me also reflect on the many years I’ve worked in the music [industry] and spreading the message of Rastafari,” he added.

For Capleton, the recognition also represented something bigger than his individual career.

“Receiving this proclamation from the mayor signifies the power of Jamaica and our culture,” he said, adding that it demonstrates that reggae music continues to connect with people across different countries and ethnicities.

Capleton Arrived In A Fire Truck

Before receiving the recognition, Capleton had already made an unforgettable impression on Canadian fans with an entrance that played directly into his long-standing identity as the Fireman.

The artiste arrived at the Fire in the Park event in an actual fire truck, creating an unexpected moment for the crowd.

Capleton explained that the unusual entrance was deliberate. His Fireman identity has long been associated with fire as a metaphor for purification, while his career has been defined by the intensity of his performances and his commitment to his musical message.

“I’m known as the fireman who uses the fire as a metaphor for purification. My fire can never be put out so we used the fire truck as a symbol of my ever-burning passion in me for the music,” he explained.

The entrance initially caused some confusion among patrons, with Capleton saying some people thought the fire truck had arrived because something had happened at the event.

That changed quickly when they realised the Fireman himself was inside.

“At first the people thought the fire truck was coming to lock off the show, but they went into a frenzy when they saw it was me in the fire truck then going on stage,” Capleton said.

The performance marked Capleton’s return to Canada after more than a decade away. The Soul Food Caribbean Festival appearance had been postponed from its original Canada Day date as organisers moved the event to a larger venue in response to demand.

Capleton said the Canadian audience gave him a lively reception and that he could tell fans were eager for reggae and dancehall music with a cultural and conscious message.

His return also comes during a significant period in his career. In 2026, Capleton released Heights of Fire, his first full-length studio album in 16 years, featuring collaborations including Damian Marley and Stephen Marley.

The Brampton proclamation now adds another milestone to a Canadian visit that already gave fans a memorable performance, a surprise fire-truck entrance and a long-awaited return to the country.

Capleton responded to the recognition simply on social media, writing: “Give thanks.”