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2nd Session, 36th Parliament, 48 Elizabeth II, 1999
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The House of Commons of Canada
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BILL C-282 |
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An Act proclaiming Emancipation Day
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| Preamble
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Whereas the British Parliament abolished
slavery in the British Empire as of August 1,
1834 by enacting an Act being 3 & 4 Will. IV,
c. 73 (U.K.) on August 28, 1833;
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Whereas that Act resulted from the work of
abolitionists who struggled against slavery,
including Lieutenant Governor John Graves
Simcoe who promoted the passage of an Act
restricting slavery in Upper Canada, being 33
Geo. III, c. 7 (U.C.) enacted on July 9, 1793;
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Whereas Upper Canada was the
predecessor of the Province of Ontario;
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Whereas abolitionists and others who
struggled against slavery, including those who
arrived in Ontario by the underground
railroad, have celebrated August 1 as
Emancipation Day in the past;
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Whereas it is important to recognize the
heritage of Canada's Black community and
the contributions that it has made and
continues to make to Canada;
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Whereas it is also important to recall the
ongoing international struggle for human
rights, which can best be personified by
Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,
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And Whereas in consequence, it is
appropriate to recognize August 1 formally as
Emancipation Day and to celebrate it;
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Now Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate and the
House of Commons of Canada, enacts as
follows:
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SHORT TITLE |
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| Short title
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1. This Act may be cited as the
Emancipation Day Act, 1999.
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EMANCIPATION DAY |
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| Emancipa- tion Day
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2. Throughout Canada, in each and every
year, the 1st day of August shall be known as
``Emancipation Day''.
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