Share
On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act took effect laying a pathway to freedom for enslaved people in British colonies across the globe, including here in Canada. The ongoing impact of slavery on Black and Indigenous peoples spans generations. If we are to uproot and dismantle racism, we must confront our history and the terrible legacy of exclusion, segregation, displacement, and violence.
Commemorating Emancipation Day is one way that we can acknowledge and reckon with the historical and present day impacts that systemic racism has on Black and Indigenous people. We all have a collective role in eradicating racism. Within our union, that means providing education and training, electing Black and Indigenous people into leadership roles at all levels, deepening our anti-discrimination work, bargaining equity programs that support the hiring, retention and advancement of Black and Indigenous peoples, being brave enough to examine our own attitudes, beliefs and understandings, and expanding our solidarity with social justice movements that are actively working to dismantle racism.
Today and every day, Unifor pledges to continue our work to improve human rights, social justice, economic justice, and to uphold the principles found in the UN resolution which proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples commitments.
It was only in 2021 that the Canadian government recognized August 1 as Emancipation Day which Unifor supported by sending letters to every province and territory demanding acknowledgment of Emancipation Day as an important step for racial justice. We have power to drive change.
Today is a reminder of how much remains to be done. Unifor will continue to bargain, advocate, and support work to eradicate racism in Canada. We are committed to learning about and highlighting the contributions of Black and Indigenous peoples–contributions that have for too long been little known or celebrated.
This year we are asking Unifor members to pledge their commitments to Racial justice by sharing your photos and thoughts on social media with the hashtag #Unifor4RacialJustice
We are also encouraging all our members who can show support for Emancipation Day events being hosted in their communities. If none exist where you are, take some time and read about this history and learn about the incredible resilience, perseverance, and accomplishments of people of African descent and of Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island.
