Future students

Following years of campaigning by Black lawmakers and community advocates, in 2021, the government of Canada federally recognized August 1, as Emancipation Day, and the month of August, as Emancipation Month.

While it was less than 200 years ago, in 1834, that the British Empire ended the practice of slavery in the former British colonies, which included Canada, many Canadians are unaware that Black and Indigenous peoples were once enslaved here.

August 1st marks Emancipation Day in Canada.

Earth Day was first envisioned over 50 years ago, with efforts focused on addressing environmental issues through teach-ins and demonstrations, among other types of advocacy. While 2021 marks the second Earth Day during this pandemic, there are resources and virtual events to (un)learn, reflect, engage locally, and take action.

June 1, 2020

To our Waterloo Community,

We acknowledge and accept responsibility for our silence on the issues of anti-black racism and hatred on our campuses. HREI wanted to ensure our statement came with tangible, coordinated actions, but we regret that we were not more responsive and thank our campus community for their continued honesty and for holding us accountable. We commit to doing better.

Please visit the University of Waterloo's Coronavirus website for the latest information.