NIAGARA — The McGuinty government is unveiling a new plaque to commemorate the legacy of Chloe Cooley, a young slave whose struggle had a profound influence on legislation that made Upper Canada the first jurisdiction in the British empire to limit slavery in 1793, MPP Jim Bradley announced today in Queenston Heights on behalf of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Gerry Phillips.

“African men, women and children were once taken from their families, carted onto ships and sold to the highest bidders, including slave owners here in Ontario,” said Bradley, MPP for St. Catharines. “The heroes who risked their lives to end this abomination are being honoured in our community today.”

On March 14, 1793, Chloe Cooley was forcibly taken across the Niagara River and sold to a new owner. The inhumanity of her treatment was brought to the attention of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. In 1793 under Simcoe, Upper Canada became the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to limit slavery.

Today’s announcement, on International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, pays tribute to all those who worked to abolish slavery and the slave trade, and was made possible by the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. The Committee was created by the McGuinty government with an investment of 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.

“The Trust is pleased to unveil this provincial plaque with support from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration,” said the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. “It commemorates events that ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in this country – a subject of tremendous importance in the history of Ontario.”

In partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust, 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, throughout this year, the 200th anniversary of the act to abolish the British slave trade.

 “By knowing and understanding more about the past, we can all make certain this horrific aspect of our history never happens again,” said the Honourable Jean Augustine, P.C., Chair of the Committee. “Chloe Cooley was an enslaved woman who was powerless and voiceless.  Yet her story reveals that we all have an opportunity to shape the future.”

As part of its investment, the government announced a three-day youth conference, which will include visits to historic sites and opened the Ontario Bicentenary Exhibit at 880 Bay Street in Toronto. The government also celebrated Emancipation Day with the unveiling of new interpretive displays at the Uncle Tom’s Cabin historic site in Dresden. The unveiling of a provincial plaque in Lakeshore recognized Puce River’s former settlement of Black slaves from the United States.

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