That the Council of the Municipality of West Grey hereby supports the resolution of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, dated July 20, 2020 that supports the Private Members Bill by M. Jowhari regarding Emancipation Day that states:
That the House recognizes that:
a) The British Parliament abolished slavery in the British Empire as of August 1, 1834
b) Slavery existed in the British North America prior to its abolition in 1834
c) Abolitionists and others who struggled against slavery, including those who arrived in Upper and Lower Canada by the Underground Railroad, have historically celebrated August 1, as Emancipation Day
d) The Government of Canada announced on January 30, 2018 that it would officially recognize the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent to highlight the important contributions that people of African Descent have made to Canadian society, and to provide a platform for conforming anti-black racism; and
e) The heritage of Canada's people of African descent and the contributions they have made and continue to make to Canada; and that in the opinion of the House, the government should designate August 1 of every year as "Emancipation Day" in Canada.
That support for this motion is sent to our Member of Parliament and all House of Commons representatives.