As Canada marks first Emancipation Day, advocates push for more education on country's history of slavery
Sunday marked the first time that Emancipation Day, a commemoration of the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire, was celebrated in Canada but advocates say much remains to be done to spread awareness of a dark chapter of the country's history.
“Today marks an important step in acknowledging our past and a renewed commitment to a more fair, inclusive and just Canada for all,” said Liberal MP Mary Ng during an Emancipation Day ceremony.
It was on Aug. 1, 1834 that the institution of slavery was ended in the what was then the British Empire, including the territory that would become the Dominion of Canada. But many Canadians are ignorant of Canada's slave-owning past, a situation which must change, according to advocate Rito Joseph.
“Canadians should be aware of this country's colonial past. People were enslaved on this land, in this society.”
Community advocate Thierry Lindor noted that human traffickers operated out of “France, Britain, Portugal, Spain, Canada and the United States of America. I find that just calling it slavery diminishes the actual impact of what it was. It was basically human trafficking.”
Emancipation Day comes as Canada grapples with its history of mistreating its Indigenous population following the discovery of numerous mass graves at former residential school sites. Indigenous activist Ellen Gabriel said the two parts of Canadian history are linked.
“There's graves not just of Indian residential school children, but also of slaves right across Canada, who were taken from their homes.”
Catherine Richardson Knewesquao said teaching that part of Canadian history can be a challenge, due to the one-sided nature of the records from that time.
“There were colonial records, but it was kept through this colonial lens,” she said. “It was more like documenting the transport of goods than talking about human souls and human lives and the cost of this forced diaspora of people.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.