Legislation Recognizes Emancipation Day in Nova Scotia April 13, 2021 - 12:19 PM Nova Scotia will officially designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day in recognition of the history and impacts of slavery in the province. Tony Ince, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, introduced legislation today, April 13, to annually recognize Emancipation Day, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British empire. “The institution of slavery was foundational to the history of systemic anti-Black racism that has impacted people of African descent in Nova Scotia for generations,” said Mr. Ince. “Celebrating Emancipation Day is one way to encourage all Nova Scotians to recognize and reckon with the legacy of anti-Black racism and honour the contributions of Nova Scotia’s historic Black communities as we work to build a more equitable future.”