Bill C-563

2nd Session, 41st Parliament,

62 Elizabeth II, 2013

house of commons of canada

BILL C-563

An Act respecting a Lincoln Alexander Day

Whereas Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, one of the most outstanding and accomplished Canadians of our time, was born on January 21, 1922;

Whereas, rising above the prejudice of the era, he embraced the opportunity of public education, developed his talents and reached his full potential through disciplined study and the strength of his character;

Whereas he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and then, home again after the war, he graduated from McMaster University and Osgoode Hall Law School, qualifying as a lawyer;

Whereas, responding to the call of public service, he was elected to the House of Commons in 1968, representing Hamilton West and, in 1979, he was appointed to be Minister of Labour, making history as the Government of Canada’s first Black cabinet minister;

Whereas, among many other community contributions, he served as Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Ontario — now known as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board —, as the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and as Chancellor of the University of Guelph;

Whereas he passed away on October 19, 2012, at the age of 90;

And whereas his life was an example of service, determination and humility and, through his unceasing fight — always without malice — for equal rights for all races in our society, he changed attitudes and contributed greatly to the inclusiveness and tolerance of Canada today;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Lincoln Alexander Day Act.

LINCOLN ALEXANDER DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the twenty-first day of January is to be known as “Lincoln Alexander Day”.

3. For greater certainty, Lincoln Alexander Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.