Bill 220 2007

An Act to proclaim Lincoln Alexander Day

Preamble

February is black history month.  The third week in February is Heritage Week in Ontario and, the third Monday in February is Heritage Day across Canada.

Who among us embodies black history and our heritage as a province and country growing toward tolerance and inclusion more than our own accomplished, charismatic and most generous, Lincoln MacCauley Alexander?

Lincoln Alexander is a former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1985-1991). Mr. Alexander is Chairman of both The Raptors' Foundation and the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Lincoln Alexander was named "Greatest Hamiltonian of All Time" in June of 2006 in a contest sponsored by the Hamilton Spectator newspaper.

Mr. Alexander is a former federal Minister of Labour, a former Chairman of the then Ontario Workers' Compensation Board (now the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) and the former Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Lincoln Alexander is a Companion, Order of Canada and a Member, Order of Ontario.  He received his B.A. from McMaster University and his LL.B. from York University/Osgoode Hall.  Lincoln Alexander is the recipient of six honourary Doctor of Laws Degrees and one honourary Doctor of Sacred Letters degree.

He is a member on the boards of the University of Guelph, Doctor's Hospital, the Shaw Festival, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Chamber Works Ensemble of Hamilton, The Raptors Foundation and the Ontario Heritage Trust. He acts as a consultant to the Board of George Weston Limited and is a member of the Quebecor Ontario Advisory Board.

The Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway (The Linc) in Hamilton, Ontario is named after him. He is an Honourary Colonel in the RCAF and an Honourary Commissioner of the OPP and Honourary Chief of the Toronto Fire Services. He is the Honourary Chief of Police – Toronto, York Regional Police and Hamilton Police.  He also serves as patron or honourary officer of several charitable organizations.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Lincoln Alexander Day

   1.  The third Wednesday in February in each year is hereby proclaimed Lincoln Alexander Day in Ontario's public schools.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Lincoln Alexander Day Act, 2007.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the third Wednesday in February in each year Lincoln Alexander Day in Ontario's public schools.