TORONTO – The McGuinty government is marking the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act with year-long projects to remember, educate and commemorate the history of abolition of slavery in Ontario, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle announced today.

“My hope is that this bicentenary will give all Ontarians an opportunity to better appreciate the horrific legacy of slavery in Ontario, to honour those who suffered and died as a result of slavery and the heroes who fought for its abolition,” said Colle. “This year’s projects will shed light on a shameful part of our history.”
                                                                                                                                      
Dr. Jean Augustine was named by Minister Colle as Chair of the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. Dr. Augustine was the first African-Canadian woman elected to the Canadian Parliament. The committee will advise the government and work with organizations and communities across the province to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Act. The committee will consist of up to 15 members representing academia, students, historical societies, archivists, the arts, and the African-Canadian community from across the province.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to chair a committee that will help Ontarians realize that we were not exempt from the inequality and injustice of slavery,” said Jean Augustine.

The government is investing up to $1 million to support commemorative projects that tell the history of slavery, commemorate the struggle of African-Canadians, and honour the spirit of those who fought for freedom, justice and equality. 

“Let us put a Canadian face on the commemorations,” said Dr. Afua Cooper. “It is of critical importance to bring knowledge of the slave trade, slavery and its abolition to the public.” Cooper is an award-winning poet, author and one of Canada’s premier experts and chroniclers of the country’s African-Canadian past.

Canada’s early settlers brought African slaves to Upper Canada and slavery expanded rapidly after 1783, as British Loyalists brought their slaves with them. In 1793, under Lt.-Gov. John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada, which is now Southern Ontario, became the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to limit slavery. The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1807.  It outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire and made it illegal for British ships to be involved in the trade and transportation of slaves.

 “Year-long projects to commemorate and memorialize this painful past will help remove the blinders of ignorance so that we can continue to move toward a future where all Ontarians are fully accepted and respected,” said Colle.

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Contacts:
Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-3460
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010