The Senate
Motion to Recognize May 25 of Each Year as World Africa Day Adopted
June 2, 2026
Pursuant to notice of May 26, 2026, moved:
That the Senate of Canada:
1.officially recognize May 25 as World Africa Day in Canada, to mark:
(a)the importance of relations between Canada and African countries;
(b)the essential contribution of African and Afro-descendant communities to Canadian society; and
(c)the shared values of solidarity, diversity, peace and international cooperation; and
2.encourage the Government of Canada and public institutions to recognize this day each year; and
That this recognition be a first step toward officially incorporating this day into the calendar of national days recognized by the Government of Canada.
She said: Honourable senators, I rise today to move a motion to recognize May 25 as World Africa Day in Canada.
This motion is simple in form but significant in scope. It calls on us to recognize the contribution of a continent that is playing an increasingly significant role in today’s world. It also calls on us to recognize the millions of Canadians of African descent who contribute to our country’s prosperity, diversity and vitality every day.
This motion comes at a particularly important time. In 2025, Canada adopted its very first Africa Strategy, signalling its commitment to building strong, long-lasting ties with a continent whose importance on the global stage is growing.
Recognizing World Africa Day today means moving from intention to action. It means giving a human face to this ambition. It asserts that the relationship between Canada and Africa is based first and foremost on the people, the communities and that ties that already unite us.
Honourable senators, I would first like to acknowledge my colleague Senator Gerba, who gave notice of this motion last Tuesday.
Senator Gerba, it is truly an honour for me to add my voice to yours and speak in support of the official recognition of May 25 as World Africa Day in Canada.
May 25, 1963, was a defining moment. Many leaders from across the African continent gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to establish the Organisation of African Unity, which has since become the African Union. That meeting was the culmination of a long struggle for independence and self-determination.
That decision, taken collectively by 32 heads of state, remains one of the most significant political acts of the 20th century.
Senator Oudar, I would ask you to pause for a moment, please.
Could everyone please make sure that your cell phones, laptops and iPads are turned off? Thank you. You may continue.
I was saying that this idea is especially important for our institutions. The Senate of Canada, in particular, has a mandate to represent our country’s diverse regions, communities, and experiences that shape our shared identity. The work of this institution invites us to contemplate that rich diversity and fosters a better understanding of the events that have shaped other parts of the world, events whose influence even now reverberates well beyond borders. Officially recognizing World Africa Day and adding it to Canada’s calendar of national days is consistent with that mandate.
I am also thinking of the next generation, a generation that will inherit not only our history, but also the choices we make today. Affirming the importance of the ties between Canada and Africa is a gesture that can strengthen relationships destined to endure and evolve over time.
This recognition also reflects our daily efforts to maintain the vital foundations of our society: respect and a desire to work together in a hope-filled future.
Commemorative days matter. They create a space in which shared memory, recognition and dialogue can endure. They also validate many people’s history and experiences as an integral part of Canada.
Honourable senators, Canada is built on a host of stories that meet, cross paths and leave their mark. Some go back generations. Others are still being written today. Together, they make up the country as we know it, a country still under construction. Naturally, May 25 has a place in this story. It reminds us that our history always gains more depth when we take the time to include all of the voices that shaped it. May 25 gives us an opportunity to recognize these legacies and the place they hold already in Canadian life.
Colleagues, asante sana, which means “thank you very much.” Meegwetch.
Honourable senators, I rise today as well in support of the motion introduced by Senator Gerba to have the Senate officially recognize May 25 as “World Africa Day in Canada.”
It is a privilege to speak in favour of a colleague whose work reflects both conviction and generosity of spirit, who calls me her brother and whose commitment to strengthening Canada’s relationship with Africa is both timely and deeply important.
From humble beginnings to a seat in this chamber, her story is reflective of her remarkable tenacity and drive. Senator Gerba has brought to this chamber not only knowledge but lived experience and a perspective that enriches our understanding of the continent.
When she speaks about Africa, she does so with clarity, pride and a sincere desire to build bridges. She reflects the aspirations of those of us from the continent who have chosen to call Canada home. That is evident in this motion, which invites us to approach Canada-Africa relations with a greater seriousness, deeper respect and a more forward-looking vision.
I also want to say how much I value the perspectives of our fellow colleagues from Africa, Senator Danièle Henkel and Senator Farah Mohamed, and what they bring to this chamber. Your contributions are meaningful, and your presence is a reminder that this institution is stronger when it reflects the richness of the communities and cultures that make up our country. You bring insight, experience and a perspective that broadens our work in very real ways.
It is interesting that the four of us who originate from the continent represent the north, east, west and south of this magnificent part of the world, covering all bases, so to speak.
I am also thankful for the friendship and initiative of our former colleague Mobina Jaffer. She was a founding member of the African Canadian Senate Group, or ACSG, and a very strong voice for the African-Canadian relationship. I am grateful for the work of the ACSG members, who continue to build ties with the diaspora and have a firm love for the continent. I believe this combination highlights Africa’s rich demographic citizenry, which encompasses representation from a broad racial composition.
For many of us, the relationship between Canada and Africa is not just a matter of trade and policy. It is also a matter of people, of family histories, of community ties and of shared aspirations.
Across Canada, and in many of our own communities, we see the strength of the African diaspora in business, public service, education, the arts and civic life. Those contributions deserve recognition, and they remind us that this relationship already lives within our country. Our advocacy strengthens that bond.
Senator Gerba’s motion also speaks to something practical and necessary. Africa is a continent of remarkable growth, innovation and demographic momentum. Canada must approach that reality cautiously and not from a distance. We should approach it with purpose, with respect and with the confidence that comes from seeking a genuine partnership, which has been absent for so long. That means building relationships that are mutually beneficial and grounded in building long-term trust.
At a time when the world often feels unsettled, I believe it is especially important to invest in partnerships that are principled and enduring. A stronger connection between Canada and Africa can serve our shared interests in peace, prosperity, education, trade and human development. It can also help Canada foster stability and promote democracy, which is so relevant in an ever-changing world.
Colleagues, I thank Senator Gerba for bringing forward this motion and for the leadership she continues to show in this chamber.
I am also grateful for the contributions of Senators Danièle Henkel, Farah Mohamed and our beloved Mobina Jaffer, and for all the examples they have set through their service.
It is for all these reasons that I support this motion with deep conviction and respect.
Thank you, asante.
Are senators ready for the question?
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
(Motion agreed to.)
