Emancipation Month Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 42
Skip to content| current | December 9, 2021 – (e-Laws currency date) |
Emancipation Month Act, 2021
Consolidation Period: From December 9, 2021 to the e-Laws currency date.
No amendments.
Preamble
Anti-Black racism has been prevalent in the history of Ontario. Slavery, inequities, exclusion and many other forms of discrimination have been the basis of much of Ontario’s past.
By proclaiming August as Emancipation Month, Ontario is 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.
Ontario acknowledges and recognizes the Slavery Abolition Act,1833, eliminating slavery in most of the British colonies at that time. It received Royal Assent on August 28, 1833 and took effect on August 1, 1834.
Ontario pays tribute to the important contributions and leadership that the Black communities have made and continue to make in Ontario as a major part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric of our province.
Emancipation Month is a time for healing, unification and restoration. It is about eliminating discrimination by continuing to educate and advance the importance of racial equity across the province. Emancipation Month will help build a more inclusive province, where everyone is treated with fairness, respect and dignity.
Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
Emancipation Month
1 The month of August in each year is proclaimed as Emancipation Month.
2 Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Act).
3 Omitted (enacts short title of this Act).
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