On this date in 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 took effect across the British Empire, eliminating slavery and ending an era of unimaginable suffering for African peoples and their descendants. March 24, 2021 saw the Canadian House of Commons vote unanimously to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day, cementing this moment as an historic chapter in Canadian society.
LHSC recognizes Emancipation Day as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength and resilience of Black communities across Canada, and an opportunity to stand firm in our commitment to equality and social justice.
“While we celebrate this critical turning point in history, we also acknowledge that Black peoples continue to face inequities and racial discrimination within the Canadian health-care system,” said David Musyj, Interim President and CEO of LHSC. “Many still face significant challenges in accessing quality health care and often experience less favourable health outcomes than other community members. At LHSC, we are committed to working alongside our partners to address these challenges and improve health equity for this population.”
Through the Office of Black Health, we are building trusting relationships with Black communities to enable collaboration with community and system partners. These valued relationships are instrumental for the development of health programs and unique approaches to care that address the specific needs of Black individuals.
In addition to this work, the Office of Black Health also provides educational opportunities to Team LHSC. The team recently introduced an e-learning module that is available to all members of Team LHSC called Introduction to Anti-Black Racism.
“Education is a critical component in our work to improve the health-care system to better serve this population,” said Cathy Wood, Senior Director of the Office of Black Health. “Celebrating Emancipation Day is an important way to educate Team LHSC about the history of slavery and the present challenges faced by Black peoples while showing the community that LHSC is dedicated to creating a more equitable system of care.”
As we commemorate Emancipation Day at LHSC, we remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing barriers, advancing health equity, and advocating for a health-care system that provides safe and inclusive access to quality care for every individual.
To learn more about the Office of Black Health, please visit https://www.lhsc.on.ca/patients-visitors/black-health.