Today, as we mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, we remember the millions of African people who were violently taken from their homelands and forced into systems of enslavement that built power and wealth through exploitation and dispossession.
This history is not distant. Its impacts continue to shape our institutions, our cities, and the inequities that many Black communities face today.
This year’s theme, “Justice in Action,” calls on all of us to move beyond remembrance and toward meaningful change by confronting ongoing anti-Black racism and building systems that are inclusive and accountable.
I stand in solidarity with Black communities and honour generations of resistance, resilience, and leadership that continue to push for justice.
I am committed to turning remembrance into action by advancing equitable policies, removing barriers to civic participation, and holding our institutions accountable, working toward a city where dignity, access, and opportunity are guaranteed for all.