Emancipation Day

Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery. It is observed on August 1 and is a day of reflection, education and engagement about the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination.

Join the City of Mississauga as we acknowledge Canada’s painful history and address systemic racism and discrimination. You can participate in honouring the occasion by:

Attending the Pan-African flag raising organized by the City and the Black Caucus Alliance
Learning about the contributions and achievements of Black individuals in Canada
Staying informed about the City’s ongoing commitment and actions to address racism

Events and activities

Join the City in commemorating Emancipation Day.

Pan-African flag raising event

August 1, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. | Great Hall (Ground Floor of City Hall) and Celebration Square

Deputy Mayor John Kovac along with other Members of Council and alongside the Consul General of Jamaica, the Black Caucus Alliance and special guests will raise the Pan-African flag at Mississauga Celebration Square to honour and recognize Emancipation Day. Remarks and performances will take place in the Great Hall in advance of the outdoor flag raising. Members of the public are invited to take part in this event.

Learn more about this event

Lighting the clock tower

August 1, 2025 | 8 p.m. | City Hall

In recognition of Emancipation Day, the Civic centre clock tower will be lit black, red and green.

Learn more about this event

Black history reading list

Take the opportunity to review staff-curated titles in honour of Emancipation Day on August 1.

Learn more about this list

City commitment

Find out what the City is doing to create a more inclusive, equitable and accessible environment.

Mississauga takes action

In a bold step toward building a more inclusive and unified city, the City of Mississauga launched its One Mississauga campaign.

This public education initiative challenges residents to stop, look and think about different forms of racism, discrimination and hatred experienced by members of our community using bold messaging. It was developed and designed in partnership with the City’s Combating Racism, Discrimination and Hatred Advisory Committee (CRDHAC), who noted the City must go beyond tolerance with this initiative and strive for unity – as we are ‘One Mississauga.’

For more information about One Mississauga Campaign and to learn how to get involved, visit One Mississauga.

Anti-Black and Indigenous Resolution 207

In 2022, the City reaffirmed its strong commitment to addressing systemic racism and discrimination by supporting policies and programs that address the inequities that racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, and in particular Black communities continue to experience in Mississauga and committing to the safety and livelihood of its Black residents, naming anti-Black racism as a pervasive threat to the safety and enjoyment of life in the city.

Black Community Engagement Report

The first Black Community Engagement (BCE) report was received by Council on April 20, 2022. The Report, entitled “First Steps: A Community Driven Report on Making Mississauga More Equitable for Black Communities,” is based on the recommendations made by Black community members during community consultations hosted by the Mayor and the Black Caucus between May and June 2021. Post consultation, these recommendations were refined and presented in a report by an independent consultant.