House of Commons Debates VOLUME 147 Ï NUMBER 094 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 41st PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, June 2, 2014 Speaker: The Honourable Andrew Scheer CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 5961 HOUSE OF COMMONS Monday, June 2, 2014 The House met at 11 a.m. Hamilton, and which I am on most days when I am back in the constituency. Prayers Despite all of these accomplishments and many more, above all else Lincoln Alexander was a champion of young people. He was convinced that if a society did not take care of its youth, it would have no future. He also knew that education and awareness were PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS essential in changing society's prejudices and sometimes flawed presuppositions about others. That is why it is so fitting that so many Ï (1105) schools are named after him. He himself had been a young person [English] who sought to make his place in his community so that he could contribute to his country. LINCOLN ALEXANDER DAY ACT Mr. David Sweet (Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—West- As a young boy, Lincoln Alexander faced prejudice daily, but his dale, CPC) moved that Bill S-213, An Act respecting Lincoln mother encouraged him to be two or three times as good as everyone Alexander Day, be read the second time and referred to a committee. else, and indeed he was. Lincoln Alexander followed his mother's He said: Mr. Speaker, I was proud to introduce Bill S-213, an act advice and worked hard to overcome poverty and prejudice. respecting Lincoln Alexander Day, and I am pleased to rise today to Through his hard work, he made a name for himself both speak to this bill, which would designate January 21 of each year as professionally and politically. Lincoln M. Alexander Day in memory of a great Canadian who inspired millions of his fellow citizens. At an early age, he experienced first-hand how hard work and As the member of Parliament for a constituency that includes education make a positive impact on life. After becoming the first in much of Linc's former constituency when he was a member of this his family to attend university, Lincoln Alexander graduated from House, I am greatly privileged. As a parliamentarian who had the McMaster University in 1949. As a university graduate and war good fortune to meet Linc, talk about politics with him, and learn veteran, and having worked his summers at the Stelco steel mill in from his sage advice, this is indeed a great honour. Hamilton, Lincoln hoped to join the company's sales team. However, this was not to be the case for a man of colour. This unjust attitude As many in the House will know, January 21 was Lincoln was, unfortunately, all too common back then. Alexander's birthday. As such, the designation of this day is fitting for all that he contributed to this country. Frustrated, Lincoln Alexander realized that self-employment made To begin, please allow me to highlight just a few of the the most sense for a young black man with ambition. He decided that accomplishments of this great man. He was a very popular he would choose a line of work in which he thought that he would lieutenant-governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991. He was the MP not be affected by people's unjust views. Pursuing further education, for Hamilton West from 1968 to 1980. He was a trailblazer for he enrolled in Osgoode Hall Law School. visible minorities as the first black MP and cabinet minister. He was a champion of the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario. He was a While at Osgoode Hall, he heard the dean make a comparison chancellor at the University of Guelph. using a racial slur while giving a lecture to his class. Lincoln Alexander was shocked. He stood up and asked the dean what he He passed away in October, 2012, at the age of 90. He was so meant by using that slur. When the dean answered that it was just a beloved that thousands visited as he lay in state at the Ontario saying that everyone was using, Lincoln Alexander responded by legislature in Hamilton City Hall. His state funeral in Hamilton was saying, “You’re in a position of authority, sir, a leader in the attended by thousands of his fellow citizens, in addition to the Prime community. A leader has to lead and not be using such disrespectful Minister of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, and a number of former comments without even thinking about them”. prime ministers and premiers. Many schools in Ontario have been named in his honour, as well He was public and outspoken in his fight for the rights of others, as the Lincoln Alexander Parkway, which is a major expressway in and in so doing, he became a spokesperson for all. 5962 COMMONS DEBATES June 2, 2014 Private Members' Business Lincoln Alexander's interest in young people came from his time Lincoln Alexander carried on his natural rapport with students and as a young lawyer in Hamilton, when he took the bus to work every made a point of speaking to each and every graduate. Robert day. He loved the social interaction with different people from his McLaughlin, vice-president of alumni affairs at the University of community on the bus, and he often spoke to young people, children, Guelph, said, “When you meet him and when he looks at you and high school students, and young adults. They gave him insight on shakes your hand, you think that he has waited his whole life to meet the issues and concerns of young people. Hearing their stories and you. You have his undivided attention”. their enthusiasm for change, Lincoln Alexander became energized, and this laid the groundwork for his interest in social justice and the Lincoln Alexander prided himself on promoting education, issues facing the youth of the day. equality, and fairness. He believed in promoting leadership and in investing in our young people, and as chancellor at the University of After being appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1965, Lincoln Guelph, he had a perfect platform to do just that. Alexander realized that politics was a way to raise awareness on the issues surrounding social injustice. He also knew that educating In honour of his leadership and dedication, in 1993 the young people and creating programming for them was a way of Government of Ontario established the Lincoln M. Alexander eliminating barriers and building bridges in the community. Award. This award, reflecting Lincoln Alexander's vision, recog- nizes young people who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in Encouraged by Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, ending racial discrimination. Lincoln Alexander ran for a seat in Parliament, and in 1968 he was elected and became the first black member of Parliament in Canada. Through his determination and his strength in life and leadership, In his first speech in the House of Commons as a member of Lincoln Alexander paved roads and opened doors for today's young Parliament, Lincoln Alexander reminded his colleagues that as a people. Using his good judgment, tolerance, compassion, and member of Parliament, they should be engaged in the hopes, fears, humanity, he worked tirelessly to instill these values in young disappointments, legitimate aspirations, and despair of each and people and to improve race relations throughout the country. His every Canadian, ever mindful that involvement demands commit- efforts were aimed at encouraging individuals to never give up, and ment in terms of actions and deeds rather than just words. he offered himself as an example of someone who never backed Lincoln Alexander served as a member of Parliament for 12 years down. until 1980. However, it was in 1985, when he became the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, that he was truly able and determined to focus That is why this bill is before us today. May Lincoln MacCauley his efforts on advancing the cause of young people and fighting Alexander's persistence and resolve in breaking down social barriers racism. and promoting the importance of educating our young people be remembered by all Canadians through the recognition of January 21 He was very open about the need to look both internally and each year as Lincoln Alexander Day. externally to find the answers to the problems of the day. He frequently related the difficulties he had with racism, understanding Ï (1110) the need to be vulnerable and open to sharing experiences in order to Mr. David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre, NDP): Mr. educate. Speaker, I want to thank my fellow Hamiltonian, the member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale. Lincoln Alexander loved to get to know people. These exchanges fed his desire to create a unified society in which all people were equal. He listened intently to individuals who shared their Of course, we know in Hamilton why this honour should be experiences, good and bad, and always with genuine interest in bestowed upon Linc, as we all know him. Perhaps I could give the their lives. hon. member an opportunity—given that there are millions of Canadians who are born, raised, and die, but only a limited number After losing the 2004 election, I remember meeting Linc at an of calendar days—to explain why the pride of Hamilton should be event. He actually grabbed my tie and pulled me down to his face registered as a federally recognized day. Perhaps the member could and said, “Sweet, if you want to serve the people and win an give a short summary of why he believes this is important not just for election, you have to work hard”.