Emancipation Day 2026

Emancipation Day is an opportunity to honour the strength, resilience and resistance of those who endured and fought against slavery in Canada. It is also a time to acknowledge the lasting impacts of this history and the ways its legacy continues to shape institutions, communities and lived experiences today.

While Emancipation Day celebrates freedom and liberation, it also calls us to reflect on the ongoing work of advancing equity and confronting anti-Black racism.

By learning from the past and listening to the experiences of Black communities, we can help build a more inclusive Waterloo for all.