DRESDEN — The McGuinty government is celebrating Emancipation by helping Ontarians learn more about the history of slavery and the abolitionist movement in Ontario with the unveiling of new interpretive displays at Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Dresden, MPP Maria Van Bommel announced today on behalf of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Gerry Phillips.

“Slavery in Ontario is a little known part of our history and its impact resonates in our province today,” said Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “That’s why it’s important that we learn from our history – especially in our local community.”

Emancipation commemorates the end of slavery in the British Empire. The movement to fully emancipate the slaves had been building since the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, after which slaves could not be sold, but were still held.

The McGuinty government is investing a total of $250,000 to erect and maintain provincial plaques and interpretive displays that recognize Ontario’s Black heritage, in partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust, throughout this year, which is the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

“The Trust is pleased to be partnering with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to commemorate this anniversary,” said the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. “These projects will stand as reminders of our past, helping future generations learn about slavery and the fight for freedom and equality.” 

Earlier this year, the government created the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act and committed up to $1 million to support commemorative projects that tell the history of slavery and honour the spirit of those who fought for freedom, justice and equality.

 “People need to know the history of slavery in Ontario. They need to know of the suffering, the bravery and the heroism of the enslaved. Changes occurred in this country as people fought for freedom,” said the Honourable Jean Augustine, P.C., Chair of the Committee.

As part of this investment, the government announced a three-day youth conference which will include visits to historic sites and opened, in Toronto, the Ontario Bicentenary Exhibit Commemorating the 1807 Act to Abolish the British Slave Trade.

More information about Bicentenary events can be found at www.ontario.ca/abolition

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