As Indigenous land acknowledgements become common in Canada, activists are advocating for a new form of recognition. This initiative aims to precede speeches, meetings, and public events with acknowledgements of the historical impact of slavery in Canada. This was highlighted during the City of Toronto's official Remembrance Day ceremony, where attendees were asked to recognize both the Indigenous nations whose territories overlap with Toronto and the individuals brought to Canada involuntarily, particularly those affected by the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

While Toronto is situated on land historically occupied by Indigenous peoples, the historical context of slavery in Canada is more complex. A report from the Aristotle Foundation indicates that African slavery was not a significant aspect of Canadian history compared to the United States. Over a span of 200 years, approximately 7,000 African slaves were recorded in the French and English colonies that would later form Canada. In contrast, the United States had an estimated 10 million slaves.

Most of Canada’s current Black population descends from Caribbean immigrants or freed U.S. slaves who settled in Canada. Furthermore, Canada was among the first places to legislate against slavery. The 1793 Act Against Slavery, enacted by the colonial legislature of Upper Canada, marked a significant step towards the British Empire's eventual abolition of slavery in 1834, which occurred 33 years before Canada’s Confederation.

The Aristotle Foundation also notes that Indigenous societies practiced forms of slavery prior to Confederation, which persisted into the 19th century. Despite this historical context, Toronto is among several Canadian institutions working to normalize slavery acknowledgements alongside Indigenous land acknowledgements.

In 2018, the City of Toronto established an “African Ancestral Acknowledgement” to be used at public events, ideally delivered by someone of African descent. If no such individual is available, a non-Black person is instructed to begin with a commitment to support Black communities in their pursuit of freedom and reparative justice.

Various non-profits and government agencies in Toronto have adopted similar acknowledgements. For instance, the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation includes a section on its website that acknowledges the experiences of Black individuals who came to Canada after the abolition of slavery, while also recognizing the systemic racism they faced.

In Nova Scotia, a region with a rich history of Black communities, several institutions are also exploring slavery acknowledgements. The Nova Scotia chapter of CUPE recommends a land acknowledgement that references the displacement and enslavement of people of African descent, emphasizing the ongoing impact of colonialism and oppression.

Dalhousie University has also drafted an official African land acknowledgement, recognizing the contributions and experiences of African Nova Scotians. As these discussions continue, the push for slavery acknowledgements reflects a growing awareness of the complexities of Canada’s historical narrative and the need for inclusive recognition of all communities affected by colonialism and slavery.