Ontario marks 2 annual Lincoln Alexander Day

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2015

Ontario marks 2 annual Lincoln Alexander Day

(Queen’s Park) – On January 21, the Province of Ontario observed the 2 annual Lincoln
Alexander Day.

The recognition of the Hon. Lincoln Alexander on his birthday was initiated in 2013 through a
Private Member’s Bill brought forward by Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott and co-
sponsored by Liberal MPP Bas Balkissoon and NDP MPP Paul Miller. The MPPs worked
together across party lines to secure the passage of the bill, which was passed into law with the
unanimous consent of the Ontario Legislature.

“Lincoln Alexander served as an inspiration and a role model for so many people across this
province,” said Mr. Arnott. “Lincoln Alexander Day is a day in which we can recognize the great
contribution that he made to Ontario and to Canada. And most of all, we remember his legacy
of overcoming racial prejudice and discrimination, and helping to build the tolerant Canada that
we cherish today.”

Lincoln Alexander was born on January 21, 1922. He served in the House of Commons from
1968 to 1980, representing the Riding of Hamilton West, and in 1979 was appointed as Minister
of Labour, making history as Canada’s first black Cabinet Minister. He later served as the Chair
of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Ontario, as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and as the
longest serving Chancellor of the University of Guelph. He passed away on October 19, 2012.

While Lincoln Alexander Day was originally only marked in Ontario, in December 2014, the
Parliament of Canada passed a Bill extending it across the country.

Mr. Arnott was at Queen’s Park on January 21 to attend the presentation of the Lincoln M.
Alexander Awards for Leadership in Eliminating Racial Discrimination. The event was hosted by
Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org