Many years ago – on March 24, 2021 – the Canadian House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1st as the country’s Emancipation Day. It was on that day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 went into effect across the British Empire.

Likewise, for Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora, August 1 represents the abolition of the dehumanising system which had enslaved people of African descent in the British colony for over 150 years.

As such, Jamaicans living in Canada have always had a huge Emancipation Day party, and 2023 will be no different. This year’s celebration is being incorporated into the Jambana One World Festival, happening at Gage Park in Brampton, Ontario on Monday, August 7th.

The organizers have tapped 60s reggae/soca band, Fabulous Five, to headline the event. The 45-year-old ensemble remains one of the best live show bands in Jamaica to this day. They will be joined by several top-tier Canadian artists.