Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the Caribbean and Canada on August 1st as well as areas of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent.

Slavery Abolition Act, 1833

An Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies received Royal Assent on 28 August 1833 and took effect 1 August 1834.

​An Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies; for promoting the Industry of the manumitted slaves; and for compensating the Persons hitherto entitled to the Service of such Slaves (also known as the Slavery Abolition Act) received Royal Assent on 28 August 1833 and took effect 1 August 1834. The Act abolished enslavement in most British colonies, freeing over 800,000 enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and South Africa as well as a small number in Canada.

Source: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/slavery-abolition-act-1833

Anti-Slavery Society of Canada

The Anti-Slavery Society of Canada was formed in Canada West (now Ontario) in 1851 to promote the global abolition of slavery and provide relief to African American refugees seeking freedom in Canada. Led by influential residents of the province from Black and White communities alike, the society was active until the early 1860s. It helped shape a sympathetic view of the abolitionist cause of the northern United States in the decade leading up to the American Civil War.

Source: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/anti-slavery-society-of-canada

S-255 - An Act proclaiming Emancipation Day - Emancipation Day Act 

- Sponsored by Hon. Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard

https://www.parl.ca/LEGISInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=10089671&Language=E&View=4

Emancipation Day Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c. 25 - Bill 111

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/s08025