Honoured to Recognize Emancipation Day

A key part of Black culture in Canada, Emancipation Day is celebrated on August 1st to mark the
end of slavery in the British Empire. We take this opportunity to honour the courage and strength of those who fought for freedom and equality. The Ontario government will not waver in our commitment to fight racism in all its forms. Together, we remain committed to building a stronger, safer, and inclusive Ontario.

Thank you to Jerisha Grant-Hall and the entire NACCA team for organizing this important event today as we collectively acknowledge the legacy and history of slavery right here in our country.

We celebrate freedom by commemorating the Slavery Abolition Act, passed on August 1st, 1834, where 800,000 slaves were freed throughout the British Empire. This day is not just about acknowledging the past; it also encourages us to reflect on the present and work together for a better future. We strive to learn about Canada’s collective history and make a conscious effort to never rewrite that history but tell a more complete story that recognizes the past struggles of African Canadians.  

In Ontario, we have proclaimed the month of August in each year as Emancipation Month. I am proud that our government passed the Emancipation Month Act in December 2021 as we are following the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the period of 2015 to 2024 being the International Decade for People of African Descent to ensure people of African descent receive the recognition, justice, and access to opportunities they deserve. 

I would like to acknowledge the expansive work of organizations like NACCA, the Aurora Black Caucus, and the Aurora Black Community. All three of these groups have spearheaded many initiatives in our community. They support the education of Black Canadian youth through their numerous mentorship programs in money management, health and well-being, and community education. The leaders of these organizations like Jerisha Grant-Hall, Phiona Durrant, and Milton Hart, along with the support and encouragement of allies in our community, ensure that our community is intersectional.

From the provincial perspective, our government is proud to be a supporter of NACCA through the Resilient Communities Fund. Funding from this program has aided NACCA in many ways from the hiring of a Project Manager to better support program delivery, outreach, operational needs, and future growths, to building a comprehensive online virtual mental wellness support platform program for Black Canadian youth. By working with NACCA, we are building our community together.

As your MPP, I am here to listen, to collaborate, and to help break down barriers. Let’s build our community, together!