The City is committed to addressing historical injustices by exploring the legacies and impacts of the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Toronto and its residents. This commitment is deeply intertwined with the principles of the UN Decade for People of African Descent, which emphasizes recognition, justice, and development.
The legacies of the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and slavery encompass multiple aspects, both positive and negative, and are deeply connected to the systemic anti-Black racism that affects education, employment, income, housing and more. Slavery is but one piece of the history and legacy of the Black experience. The City is actively working to confront these issues by implementing targeted universalism strategies—aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and promote equity for all, while recognizing the unique challenges faced by Black communities.
By understanding the historical context and its ongoing impact, we can collectively strive for a more just and equitable society. This initiative is inspired by the resilience and contributions of people of African-descent in Toronto and the diaspora, and celebrates the acts of resistance, resilience, and liberation expressed through art, culture and more.
We invite everyone to Confront the Past, Change the Future.
WHEREAS since 2007, March 25th has been designated as a day of remembrance to raise awareness of the horrors experienced by Africans during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The day provides an opportunity to remember and honour those who suffered and died as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It also serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of racist ideologies focused on people of African descent.
Today, we reflect on the mass human trafficking, degrading economic transactions and unspeakable human rights violations against people of African descent, which took place during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, over 13 million men, women and children of African descent were forcibly removed from their homes in continental Africa, and displaced and transported in ships across the Atlantic Ocean, to be sold across Europe and the Americas. These African ancestors endured fundamental injustices resulting in lost collective connections to land, language, culture and food. This period of time marked one of the most horrific and traumatizing eras in human history.
The racial legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade still manifests in harmful prejudices and beliefs that continue to impact people of African descent. In recognizing the persistence of racial discrimination, we continue to learn from these tragic events and work towards the elimination of racism in our society. Today marks an opportunity for us to reflect on our collective accountability and commitment to addressing the legacies of anti-Black racism that we continue to witness and experience today.
The City of Toronto acknowledges that for over 200 years, both slavery and the slave trade took place in our country. During these two centuries, enslaved people of African descent were traded as property in one of the darkest chapters of our history. Though slavery was formally abolished across these lands by the British Empire in 1834, racism is still prevalent in society today.
The City of Toronto remains committed to fighting against racism in all of its forms. Through the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, policies, programs and services are being constantly reviewed to ensure that they are accessible, equitable and inclusive, while providing opportunities for further education.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2025 as “International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade” in the City of Toronto.
Explore reading materials from various Canadian sources to deepen your understanding of the history of slavery in Toronto, Ontario and Canada.
The trans-Atlantic slave trade had a profound impact on Toronto and its development. Learn about the historical context, the legacies of slavery in the city and explore significant figures and events. Educational resources are also available to assist in the conversations with school-aged children.
The City of Toronto was the first municipality in North America to develop an Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism. Launched in 2018 and completed in 2023, the initial five-year Action Plan sought to address systemic anti-Black racism and advance the City’s commitment to equity.
Building on this foundation, the development of a renewed 10-Year Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism is in progress and scheduled to be presented to City Council in early Summer 2025. Through a renewed Action Plan, Toronto aims to create lasting change by tackling the root causes of inequality and fostering a more inclusive city.
Launched in December 2020 by City of Toronto heritage sites and museums, Awakenings is a virtual series of art projects by artists from the Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities operating under the principles of anti-oppression, anti-colonialism and anti-racism.
Toronto’s first Black Mental Health Day was officially declared on Monday, March 2, 2020. In 2021, the day was expanded to Black Mental Health Week to provide greater opportunities to cultivate awareness of the impacts of anti-Black racism on Black communities, families and individuals.
Established in 2021, the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee provides advice to City Council and serves as a convening table to advise on inter-government and institutional work on anti-Black racism in sectors such as education, child-welfare, policing and the justice system, housing and employment.