The Anti-Slavery Society of Canada was created in what is now called Ontario in 1851 and remained active until the early 1860s.^[1]The institution promoted the global abolishment of slavery and provided relief efforts to previously enslaved African Americans seeking freedom in Canada.^[1] The society deemed enslavement as inhumane and worked closely with American abolitionists to aid the extermination of slavery.^[1]

The Anti-Slavery Society of Canada was created on February 26, 1851, by Reverend Michael Willis who was the first and only president of the society alongside other faith leaders and abolitionists in a meeting at Toronto City Hall.^[1][2][3] Toronto's St. Lawrence Hall acted as the venue for the institution "to discuss abolitionism, the Fugitive Slave Act — and how to assist Black people fleeing into Ontario".^[4] The society was formed to dismantle slavery around the world by using "lawful and peaceable, moral and religious" actions involving newspapers and lectures, and by creating sympathy with the houseless and homeless enslaved people who were fleeing to Canada.^[5] The society was made up of three levels: office bearers, committee members, and subscribers.^[1] The society sponsored and was supported by American abolitionists and businessmen such as Frederick Douglass, Wilson Ruffin Abbott , and Henry Bibb .^[1]

The Anti-Slavery Society of Canada has assisted in reshaping the public opinion Canadians have had on Black people over time.^[1] Financial aid was offered to hundreds of Black refugees to allow them to have self-sufficiency as they settled.^[1]