Greg Fergus on Black History Month

In the House of Commons on February 3rd, 2021. See this statement in context.

Black History MonthStatements By Members

February 3rd, 2021 / 2:20 p.m.

Liberal

Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, Black history is Canada's history.

For more than 417 years, Black people have lived in this land that we now call Canada.

For nearly 187 years, Black people have been free from slavery on this same land.

For 66 years, Black immigrants have not been discouraged from settling in Canada.

For 38 years there have been no racially segregated schools in Canada, and for 25 years we have been celebrating Black History Month.

Now there are 1.2 million Black Canadians. Now there are eight Black Canadians in our Houses of Parliament. Now there are Black elected representatives in almost every provincial legislature. Now there are Black mayors, councillors, professors, doctors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, nurses, faith leaders and community organizers. The future is now.

I wish everyone a Happy Black History Month.

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