Licensed to Learn

As we honour the legacy of Lincoln Alexander, let's look back at how he became the trailblazer he was.
He was:
- The son of a maid and a railway porter, Alexander rose from humble beginnings, to - become a very important figure in Canadian political history.
- First partner of an in*******al Canadian law firm.
- First Black Canadian Member of Parliament in the House of Commons
- First Black Canadian Federal Cabinet Minister – Minister of Labour
- First Black Chair of the Worker’s Compensation Board of Ontario
- First Black Canadian to serve in a Viceregal position in Canada – Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. (1985 – 1991)
- Longest serving Chancellor of the University of Guelph (1991 – 2007). Named Chancellor Emeritus in 2007.
- Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- Governor of the Canadian Unity Council
- Canadian war veteran
- The ‘Linc’ – Lincoln Alexander Parkway Located on the Hamilton mountaintop, was named in honour of Lincoln Alexander in 1997, despite him never holding a driver's license.

Former Prime minister, Brian Mulroney said "I always thought Lincoln Alexander represents the very best of the country. I will make Linc the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, I will offer him the job."

And lo and behold, in 1985, on the advice of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Governor General Jeanne Sauvé appointed Alexander as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. He became the first black person to serve in a vice regal position in Canada.

Help us honour his legacy, and build a commemorative bust of him in Queen's Park.
Donate at: https://l2l.ca/lincoln-alexander-bust/

Today is Lincoln Alexander Day. We celebrate the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament, first Black federal Cabinet Minister, and Ontario’s first Black Lieutenant Governor. Today would have been his 100th birthday.

Alongside fighting for racial equity for Black Canadians, Alexander was the patron and advocate for the Licensed to Learn Program since 2002. We are grateful for his support.

At Licensed to Learn, we continue to honor his legacy by providing barrier-free access to academic supports, leadership training, and opportunities for community engagement across Canada.