The oldest son of Caribbean immigrants, Lincoln Alexander began his education at McMaster University in 1949, followed by a degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1953.

 

In 1965, he made his first run at politics, running as a Conservative MP for Hamilton West, but was defeated by less than 2,500 votes. In 1968, he won the seat, becoming the first Black Canadian to have a seat in the House of Commons. He served for 12 years and in 1979 was appointed Minister of Labour, making him the first Black Canadian to serve in Cabinet.

 

In 1985, Alexander became the lieutenant-governor of Ontario— the first Black Canadian to serve in a viceregal position. He used his position in politics to fight prejudice and racism until the day he passed in 2012, and in the following year, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario declared January 21 as Lincoln Alexander Day.

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