Black History Month
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
30 Years of Black History Month: Celebrating our Diversity
Category(ies): News
Published on February 17, 2026 to 11:28 a.m.
This year marks 30 years of Black History Month in Canada. While the event was previously celebrated in the country, it was not until 1996 that the House of Commons formally designated February as Black History Month.
The month of February is also an opportunity for Pointe-Claire to recognize the essential contributions Black people have made to our country’s history and how they enrich our community. The people of Pointe-Claire are proud of the diversity that makes up our community, and we want to showcase all its members. We at the City of Pointe-Claire want everyone to take action on a daily basis to make our community ever more inclusive.
During this special time, we invite you to explore the programs and activities offered by various organizations, and we hope you will take the opportunity to celebrate and come together to eliminate discrimination.
“Together, let’s take advantage of these commemorations to reflect on the values of openness, respect, and fairness that should drive our City. Black History Month is one of the best opportunities we have to maintain dialogue between the different communities that make up Pointe-Claire and to reflect on the actions we can put into practice to be ever more inclusive,” says Mayor John Belvedere.
The City aims to ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are reflected in all its actions.
Programming
Throughout February, there are multiple opportunities to learn more about the contributions of Black communities:
Pointe-Claire Public Library: the Library offers a reading list of Canadian authors from Black communities. The books are available on display at the Library and on its Facebook page.
The Government of Canada: you can find a wealth of information and historical facts to help you learn more about the history of Black communities, notable community figures and their contributions to history and to Canada.
Round Table on Black History Month: the Round Table is a non-profit organization created to promote activities relating to the various aspects of the history of Black communities, with a focus on both historical and contemporary dimensions.
The National Film Board (NFB) offers a thematic collection of films by Black filmmakers, creators and allies of the Black community, detailing a rich history and help us better understand the present.
History of Black History Month in Canada
Please note that the information in this section comes from the Government of Canada.
“In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. Its founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.
The first Black History Month in Nova Scotia was observed in 1988 and later renamed African Heritage Month in 1996.
In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine (the first Black Canadian to be elected to Parliament, appointed to the federal Cabinet and the first Equity Commissioner appointed by the Ontario government). The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.
In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008.”
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