Canada urged to establish national commission on slavery and anti‑Black racism

The Black Class Action Secretariat, a non‑profit led by Nicholas Marcus Thompson, is calling on the Canadian federal government to create a permanent national commission. The commission would examine the legacy of slavery, segregation and systemic anti‑Black racism in Canada, document its historical impact, hear directly from affected communities and propose a framework for addressing systemic barriers in institutions.

The request coincides with Emancipation Day on Aug. 1, which marks the 1834 abolition of slavery across the British Empire. The Secretariat proposes that the commission’s consultations involve Black communities, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners and labour organisations, aiming to produce recommendations for Parliament.

The organization argues that, despite annual observances of Emancipation Day, Canada has never undertaken a comprehensive study of how the legacy of slavery continues to shape the lives of Canadians of African descent.