Kingston Marks 5th Emancipation Day with Theme "Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future"

By Aara Macauley, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.  

The city of Kingston marked Emancipation Day on Saturday August 1st with a flag raising ceremony and community activities in Confederation Park and in front of City Hall. 

Since 2021, Emancipation Day has been observed annually on August 1, commemorating the enactment of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 across the British Empire. The day reflects a shared civic commitment to honouring the resilience of Black and Indigenous communities, acknowledging the legacy of enslavement in Canada, and advancing education, reflection, and collective liberation. The city hopes to encourage residents to reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and to continue the work of dismantling racial discrimination in Canada, something that JC Kenny, Director of Communications and Customer Service for the city of Kingston, spoke to in her opening remarks.

Keishia Facey, an Equity, Inclusion & Organizational Change Consultant, speaker, author, community activist, and cultural arts programmer delivered the keynote address, speaking on the 2026 theme of “Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future”.

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