These acts of celebration commemorate the abolition of
enslavement throughout the British Empire in the 19th
century
TORONTO, July 28,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada commemorates the national historic
significance of Celebrations of Emancipation Day at a special
plaque unveiling ceremony at St. James Cathedral's Snell Hall
in Toronto, Ontario. The
commemoration was made by Majid
Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill on
behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment
and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
Celebrations of Emancipation Day began on August 1, 1834, when people of African descent
marked the abolition of enslavement. On this day the Slavery
Abolition Act, which had been passed by British Parliament in
1833, came into effect. At this time, the impact of this
legislation could be felt in British North America (now Canada). Such events, which came to be known
as August First and Emancipation
Day, sparked what became a longstanding tradition among African
Canadians in Ontario, Quebec, Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, and
British Colombia, which continue to this day throughout all of
Canada.
Emancipation Day events are diverse and can range from small
picnics to large-scale public events. Often these festivities
include church services, parades, communal meals and accompanying
entertainment. These acts of celebration create significant
opportunities for social connection, solidarity and pride in
African ancestry, as well as education and reflection on the legacy
of enslavement in Canada and its
impact on diasporic African communities.
Historically, celebrations of Emancipation Day include acts of
remembrance of ancestors who had endured more than 250 years of
enslavement. They also included occasions of mobilization against
continued enslavement in the United
States until its abolition in 1865, as well as the systemic
racism and segregation that persists in Canada following emancipation. Over the years,
many prominent African Canadian and American leaders delivered
powerful speeches at Emancipation Day events, and fundraising
activities have led to the construction of key community
institutions including schools and churches.
Celebrations of Emancipation Day represent the strength and
perseverance of African Canadians in the fight for racial equality
throughout history, which continues into the present day.
The Government of Canada,
through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of
Canada, recognizes significant
people, places, and events that shaped this country as one way of
helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories
with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on
the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of
Canada's past and present.
The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of
Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations.
To nominate a person, place or historic event in your community,
please visit the Parks Canada website for more information:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application.
Quote
"Today's plaque unveiling ceremony, hosted by Parks Canada and
the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), commemorates the celebrations
of Emancipation Day as events of national historic significance. As
systemic racism continues to affect the lives of Black Canadians, I
strongly believe that acknowledgment of our history is essential to
moving forward and addressing systemic racism in Canada. This is why I put forward my Private
Member's Motion, Motion 36 in the 43rd parliament, to have the
House of Commons recognize Emancipation Day and the slavery that
preceded it."
Majid Jowhari,
Member of Parliament for Richmond
Hill
Quick Facts
- The Slavery Abolition Act, which was passed in 1833 and
came into effect on August 1, 1834,
put an end to the centuries-old system of colonial enslavement of
Africans throughout the British Empire, which included the land now
known as Canada.
- In the past, August First or
Emancipation Day was referred to as West Indian Day because the
largest number of enslaved people who were freed lived in the
Caribbean, an area referred to by
European colonists at the time as the West Indies.
- The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating Celebrations of
Emancipation Day will be unveiled in Toronto, which is the traditional territory of
many nations, including the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee and the
Anishinaabeg, including the Mississaugas of the Credit and the
Chippewa. Toronto is now the home
to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
- Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of
Canada advises the Minister of
Environment and Climate Change regarding the national significance
of persons, places, and events that have marked Canada's history. To date, more than 2,240
designations have been made nationwide.
- Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of
national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada's
National Program of Historical Commemoration and these important
stories are shared with Canadians.
- Parks Canada is committed to
working with Canadians in our efforts to tell broader, more
inclusive stories in the places that it manages. In support of this
goal, the Framework for History and Commemoration outlines a
comprehensive, and engaging approach to sharing Canada's history through diverse perspectives,
including shedding light on tragic and difficult periods of
Canada's past.
Related Documents
Backgrounder: Celebrations of Emancipation Day
Government of Canada recognizes
the national historic significance of the Celebrations of
Emancipation Day
Related Links
Parks Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)