Flag raising for Black History Month held at Caledon Town Hall

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Caledon officially raised the Black History Month flag this past Tuesday, February 17.

The event was attended by Caledon residents, Town of Caledon staff and Council, Caledon Fire, and special guests, including Captain (Ret'd) Kevin Junor.

Junor had a career with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves that spanned three decades and was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2024. 

He moved to Bolton 20 years ago.

Standing outside Caledon Town Hall that day, he says there's still more change to come.

“Black History Month is here because there's been a number of black individuals who have dedicated their lives to the King, Queen community, but they're not accepted. They're not recognized, and it's an opportunity to highlight individuals,” says Junor.

Junor says he hopes for a day when they no longer have to raise a flag to say it's “Black History Month,” but a month where it is just “Canadian month.”

“We're not there yet, because we still have racial profiling. We still have kids going to school and they're picked on because of the color of their skin. We still have people not being employed in given positions because of the color of their skin. But until then, let's just say it's been a long time coming. But change is going to come,” says Junor, quoting “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke.

Noting what Junor says, Mayor Annette Groves adds that “we have come a very long way,” saying that more changes are needed, but that significant progress has already been made.

“Thanks to many people before us, they've paved the way. They've suffered, but they've made the way much easier for us to survive and to succeed if we choose to,” says Groves.

She adds that Black History Month is “a wonderful opportunity to celebrate history and celebrate the achievements and resilience of Black communities.”

“Our country is one of the best countries in the world,” says Groves. “(Coming) from a place like Jamaica and growing up here, and the opportunities that this country has afforded my family and I, it has been absolutely wonderful,” says Groves.

During the proclamation, Groves read aloud that Black History Month is an opportunity to learn about and recognize the history of Black Canadians, the role they have played in building communities, and the vital need to combat racism, discrimination, and inequity. This is achieved, in part, through gaining a greater understanding of the discrimination and marginalization faced by Black Canadians.

Ending the flag raising, Groves encourages everyone to attend the various Black History Month events upcoming locally, such as the Town of Caledon's Black History Month Celebration on February 21 at Southfields Community Centre, which will feature Junor's presentation on the No. 2 Construction Battalion.

The African Inventors and Icons Exhibition will run twice more throughout the month, on February 21 and 28.

There will be a Black Community and Innovation event at North Peel Community Church on February 28, as well.

The flag was raised half-mast to mark the tragedy that occurred in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.