Worship Resources for Emancipation Day (August 1)

This year marks the first official recognition of Emancipation Day by the Government of Canada. To help mark the day, the Canadian Council of Churches has provided worship resources: 

• www.interculturalleadership.ca/idpad     
• En française: www.interculturalleadership.ca/dipaa 

Emancipation Day marks the anniversary of the Slavery Abolition Act which came into effect August 1st, 1834, freeing approximately 800,000 enslaved people in British colonies (including Canada).

For over 180 years, Black communities across Canada have celebrated Emancipation Day on August 1 with church services, parades, outdoor festivities, protests, speeches, entertainment, and more, seeing an opportunity for celebration and a time of reflection on the struggle for freedom and justice, past and present.

This year marks the first official recognition of Emancipation Day by the Government of Canada, following a unanimous vote in the House of Commons in March 2021.