Statement from Mayor Adrian Foster on Emancipation Day

Clarington, Ontario – As we mark Emancipation Day, Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster has issued the following statement.

“Emancipation Day commemorates the Slavery Abolition Act, which took effect on August 1, 1834, and opened the path to freedom for so many in Canada and other British colonies. Today, we confront the terrible history of slavery of Black and Indigenous peoples in Canada. This horrific legacy has had an intergenerational impact on people in our community and across the country.

The Municipality of Clarington continues to work closely with our staff, the Diversity Advisory Committee, and the Anti-Black Racism Taskforce to deepen our anti-discrimination efforts. While we are making progress, including approving Clarington’s 2024-27 Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy and awarding our first Diversity Leadership Bursary to encourage and celebrate our future community leaders, I recognize that there is still much work to be done.

In Clarington, we are committed to addressing and eliminating hate, systemic racism, and discrimination. We are proud to be a welcoming and diverse community where everyone can live, work, and thrive.”