LAKESHORE — The McGuinty government is recognizing a former settlement of Black slaves from the United States with the unveiling of a new provincial plaque at Puce River in Lakeshore, MPP Bruce Crozier announced today on behalf of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Gerry Phillips.

“Ontario was not exempt from the injustice of slavery and how this aspect of our history shaped our province,” said Crozier, MPP for Essex.  “It’s imperative in our local communities that we remember the past and those who fought for freedom.”

The Puce River community is significant to Ontario’s heritage for its association with early Black settlement and the struggle for freedom. The Refugee Home Society, a local abolitionist organization founded in the early 1850s, helped to settle more than 60 Black families who escaped slavery in the United States and provided them with the opportunity to purchase 10-hectare farms in Sandwich and Maidstone townships.

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, the 200th anniversary of the act to abolish the British slave trade.

“Provincial plaques tell the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped Ontario’s history,” said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. “We are pleased to be working with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to commemorate the Puce River Black Community for its significance to the province.”

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

 “It’s important that the story of slavery be told. People in Ontario need to learn more about this part of our history,” said the Honourable Jean Augustine, P.C., Chair of the Committee. “We want to let people know of the many heroes that risked their lives in the fight for freedom and justice and the end of slavery.”

As part of its investment, the government announced a three-day youth conference, which will include visits to historic sites. The government also celebrated Emancipation Day with the unveiling of new interpretive displays at the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic site in Dresden and opened the Ontario Bicentenary Exhibit in Toronto. 

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

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