Emancipation Day

August 1st is celebrated as Emancipation Day across Canada. Emancipation marks the actual day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 ended enslavement across the British Empire, in certain places in the Caribbean, South America and Canada. On March 24th, 2021, the House of Commons unanimously voted to officially designate August 1st as Emancipation Day. Emancipation Day is an opportunity for Canadians to learn about and participate in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism, discrimination and oppression.

Durham College (DC) is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful learning and working environment. Here are some resources on and off campus to help us connect to and learn more about Emancipation Day, as well as our rights and responsibilities in creating a campus community free of harassment, discrimination and hate:

Internal Durham College Sources:

1. Harassment, Workplace Sexual Harassment/Misconduct and Discrimination Policy: (https://www.durhamcollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/harassment-and-discrimination-policy.pdf)

2. Sexual Violence Policy (https://www.durhamcollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/sexual-assault-and-sexual-violence-policy.pdf)

3. Wearing of a Kirpan (https://durhamcollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/Wearing-of-a-Kirpan.pdf)

4. All-Gender Washroom Policy (https://durhamcollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/all-gender-washroom.pdf)

5. R.I.S.E Program: (https://durhamcollege.ca/about/equity/rise)

6. Black Community Resources: (https://durhamcollege.ca/about/equity/community-resources)

External Sources:

1. The Ontario Human Rights Code (https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-human-rights-code)

2. Emancipation Day — August 1: (https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/emancipation-day.html)

3. Slavery Abolition Act, 1833: (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/slavery-abolition-act-1833)