Lincoln Alexander honoured with new bronze bust at Queen’s Park

Every year, Canadians across the country celebrate Lincoln Alexander Day on Jan. 21 to commemorate the leading figure in the fight for racial equity.

A commemorative bust was unveiled at Queen’s Park on Sunday, honouring Lincoln Alexander’s legacy.

Cheers filled the Ontario legislature in the historic moment when Lincoln Alexander’s bronze likeness was unveiled.

It was a momentous day for his family. The emotional ceremony in Toronto was filled with sound and colour.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for 10 years and now it’s finally here,” his granddaughter Erika Alexander said.

The commemorative bust will soon stand at Queen’s Park, making Alexander the first black Canadian political figure to be displayed in any parliamentary setting in the country, mirroring his legacy of shattering glass ceilings.

“Linc inspired thousands of young Canadians with his life story and his example of overcoming discrimination,” Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Ted Arnott said.

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Politicians of all stripes gave tearful speeches expressing their gratitude to the trailblazer.

“I don’t think I would be here today if it was not for him, so I thank you,” Liberal Andrea Hazel said.

“He will continue to serve as an inspiration for generations to come,” Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said.

Alexander was Canada’s first black member of parliament in the 1960s, before becoming the first black cabinet minister, and then the first black lieutenant-governor of Ontario in the 1980s.

“Thank god for Lincoln Alexander, his family and friends who supported him and the people of Hamilton West who gave him that opportunity,” Speaker of the House of Commons Greg Fergus said.

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Every year, Alexander’s contributions and legacy are honoured on Jan 21.

“So, what we’ve done is we’ve transformed the culture of one of the most hallowed halls of government in Canada,” Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund, Craig Wellington said.

The statue is decorated in medals Alexander earned over the course of his career. He wore them regularly during his official duties, and now, they’re memorialized on his chest.

Alexander lived in Hamilton for decades, first making his way to the city in pursuit of love.

“During the Second World War, returning from service, he followed Yvonne Harrison to Hamilton, married her, and in Hamilton rose to be a graduate of McMaster University,” Linc Bust Committee Chair Rosemary Sadlier said.

The Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway in Hamilton was named after him in 1997, despite him never holding a driver’s license.