Bill 150 1997

An Act proclaiming

United Empire Loyalists' Day Preamble

The people of Ontario recognize and celebrate their heritage of loyalty to the Crown. One of the earliest groups to demonstrate that loyalty were the United Empire Loyalists who emigrated to Ontario from the United States of America so that they could continue to live under the Crown after the United States gained their independence in 1783.

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The United Empire Loyalists were one of the main groups to populate Ontario at the time the Constitutional Act, 1791 (U.K.) created the Province of Upper Canada which was the predecessor of the Province of Ontario. That Act received Royal Assent on June 19, 1791.

It is important to recognize the contribution that the United Empire Loyalists have made and that their descendants continue to make to the development and general welfare of Ontario.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows: United Empire Loyalists' Day

1. June 19 in each year is proclaimed as United Empire Loyalists' Day. Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent. Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the United Empire Loyalists' Day Act, 1997.