OTTAWA, March 25, 2007 - Canada's New Government today announced the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the 1807 act for the abolition of the slave trade, which outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire and marked a major step toward abolishing slavery throughout the Empire in 1833.
"This milestone reflects two themes," said the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity). "First, it is an opportunity to reflect on the evil of slavery in all its forms, past and present. Secondly, it highlights the tradition that we have inherited as legislators in Canada, a successor state of the British Commonwealth and its unique tradition of freedom, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law."
Last year, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 25, 2007, as the International Day for the Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
While Canada was not directly involved in the Transatlantic slave trade, slavery was legal here prior to 1834.
Slavery is reported to have existed from 1628, although historical records indicate that it was first established in New France by Louis XIV in 1689.
On March 25, 1807, the act for the abolition of the slave trade received Royal Assent and became law throughout the British Empire. It was the result of a long campaign in the British Parliament by an alliance of Evangelical Anglicans and Quakers led by William Wilberforce, M.P. (1759-1833).
The 1807 Act did not abolish slavery itself, but prohibited the traffic in slaves. It was an incremental step towards the recognition of the effects of slavery and towards the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833.
Upper Canada, now Ontario, was a pioneer in this movement. In 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe played a key role in passing the Abolition Act. This law freed children born to slave mothers when they reached the age of 25 and made it illegal to bring slaves into Upper Canada, which then became a safe haven for runaway slaves.
Upper Canada's law also made it the first jurisdiction in the Empire to move toward the abolition of slavery.
For more information:
http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/multi/black-noir/200anniversaire-anniversary_e.cfm
Information:
Alykhan Velshi
Senior Special Assistant
Office of the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
819 934-1122
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101