The Metro: Freedom seekers, Canada Day and emancipation

By: Tia Graham

1 July 2026 at 20:15

It has been almost two centuries since Canada declared independence. After the Constitution Act of 1867, Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick began governing themselves. That independence is observed annually as Canada Day on July 1.

But there is another, earlier date marking freedom that Canada also celebrates: Emancipation Day. Britain passed the Slavery Abolition Act on August 1, 1834.

By the time Canada became a free nation, there were already free Black communities in the country, many of which were locatd in and around Windsor-Essex.

Lorene Brigden-Lennie is the Board Director of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society.

She joined The Metro to discuss the ways that Canada observes Canada Day and Emancipation Day through the lens of freed slaves.

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