The New Brunswick legislature in Fredericton. Image: Brad Perry

Emancipation Day will be officially recognized for the first time in New Brunswick on Monday.

Provincial MLAs unanimously passed a motion in June to recognize Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day.

“This is a historic day for New Brunswick and all those of African descent who call our beautiful province home,” Arlene Dunn, the minister responsible for immigration, said in a news release on June 10.

Dunn introduced the motion to officially recognize Emancipation Day and was seconded by Green Party leader David Coon.

Emancipation Day marks the abolition of slavery by the British parliament on Aug. 1, 1834, which freed about 800,000 African slaves throughout British colonies, including upper and lower Canada.

New Brunswick joins provinces like Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in recognizing the day.

The federal government has recognized Emancipation Day since March 24, 2021.

With files from Aaron Sousa.

All New Brunswickers are invited to commemorate & celebrate Emancipation Day on Aug. 1, which honours the abolishment of slavery in the British colonies in 1834, and pay tribute to N.B.’s Black communities, people of African descent, & leaders for all their contributions. pic.twitter.com/YOIcQuinUV

— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) July 29, 2022