Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s 1st black MP, dies at 90

Published October 19, 2012 | 11:21 am

SAANJ NEWS

Lincoln Alexander

Canadian Press Picture

Ottawa: Lincoln  Alexander, Canada’s first black MP and cabinet minister,who was Ontario lieutenant governor from 1985 to 1991 has passed away. He was 90.

Alexander was the country’s first black member of Parliament, elected to the House of Commons in 1968 as the Progressive Conservative candidate for Hamilton West.He held that seat through four elections.

Alexander’s wife, Marni Beal, said he died around 8:15 a.m. Friday.She informed that he passed away very peacefully.

Three schools, a police station and expressway have been named after him so far and he received six honorary degrees and other honours including the Order of Canada to the National Order of the Lion from Senegal.

Lincoln lost his wife of 50 years, Yvonne, in 1999 and married Marni Beal last year.

Alexander’s family came to Canada from Jamaica before he was born, and he went to school in Toronto at Earl Grey Junior High and Riverdale Collegiate.

He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a corporal in the Second World War and graduated from Osgoode Law School in 1953.
(with Canadian Press files).

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