The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

75+ Black Politicians, 30 Judges; Pic: Hon. Marci Ien

By

February 27, 2019

75+ Black Politicians, 30 Judges; Pic: Hon. Marci Ien

By Andrew Cardozo, Anne Clarke & Kyra Mullen, Pearson Centre

(Picture: Hon. Marci Ien, MP, Appointed federal Minister for Women & Gender Equality and Youth in November 2021)

THE AFRICAN-CANADIAN CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC LIFE:

The contribution of Black Canadians to Canada is broad and longstanding. Here are the first two parts of the list, the judges and the politicians. This is perhaps the most comprehensive list of its kind. We are in the process of expanding this list to shine a light on many more who have excelled in other areas such as academia, medicine, business, labour unions, law, sports, media and entertainment.

Over the next two years we at Pearson, are also researching lists of Indigenous and other cultural communities – so we can all have a more in-depth sense of who builds and grows this country!
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PART 1: THEJUDGES
PART 2: THE POLITICIANS (scroll down)

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PART 1: THE JUDGES (CURRENT AND RETIRED)

Justice Selwyn Romilly

Retired Justice Selwyn Romilly obtained his Bachelors of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1966. Justice Selwyn Romilly was appointed a judge in British Columbia in 1974. He was later appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in British Co-lumbia in 1995. The City of Vancouver honoured Justice Romilly on his retirement at City Hall on January 20, 2015.

Justice Rita Jean Maxwell

Justice Rita Jean Maxwell was called to the bar in 2002. She was most recently legal counsel for the Ontario Court of Appeal, while at the same time acting as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, in evidence law, and at the Ryerson University Law Practice Program. Justice Maxwell is an active volunteer with the Ontario Justice Education Network and Law In Action Within Schools program.

Justice Lori Beth Montague

Justice Montague was called to the bar in 1987. She was most recently a deputy Crown attorney and previously an assistant Crown attorney for Peel Region. She is a volun-teer board member with Operation Springboard and has also volunteered with Victim Services of Peel.

Justice Marlyse Dumel

Justice Dumel was called to the bar in 2002. She has been with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada since 2004. In addition to conducting criminal prosecutions, her work has included developing training materials and providing training and support for police. Justice Dumel has served as secretary of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s National Prosecution Policy Committee.

Justice Valerie Miller

Justice Valerie Miller obtained her law degree from Dalhousie University in 1985. Justice Miller was appointed to the Tax Court of Canada in 2007. Prior to her appointment, she he had been working in Halifax as the general counsel and director of the tax law services section in the Atlantic office of the federal Department of Justice.

Justice Sandra Bacchus

Justice Sandra Bacchus was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor and completed a Master’s degree in Law from Osgoode Hall Law school in 2007. Since February 2010, she had been acting director to the assistant deputy attor-ney general in the Criminal Law Division, providing advice on various ministry initiatives, including Justice on Target, a strategy to achieve faster, focused justice.

Justice Beth Allen

Justice Beth Anna Allen was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1986. She obtained her Bachelors of Law from Windsor University and later obtained her Masters in Law from York University. Justice Beth Allen was a lawyer with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario at the Ministry of Finance (Ontario). She is an active contributor to the North American Black Historical Museum.

Justice Micheline Rawlins

Justice Rawlins was called to the Bar in 1982. She is a lawyer and judge in Ontario. Having studied law at the University of Windsor, she and was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1992. She has received many awards, including the African Canadian Achievement Award (1997), The National Congress of Black Women Award for Outstanding Contribution to Women, Law and to Canada (2002), and Windsor Woman of the Year (2004).

Justice Faye McWatt

Justice Faye McWatt received her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Ottawa in 1984 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986. Justice McWatt acted as counsel before various commissions of inquiry, including the Commission of Inquiry Into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia.
In 2000, Justice McWatt was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, where she has presided over criminal, family, and civil law cases.

Justice Therese Alexander

Justice Therese Alexander was appointed to the British Columbia provincial court bench in 1995. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws in 1983. She works as Provincial Court Judge for New Westminster.

Justice Irving Andre

Justice Irving André was originally appointed to the Ontario of Justice in 2002. He was appointed to the Superior Court of Jus-tice in 2012. Justice Irving André obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law. He later went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Law in 2006 and his Doctorate of Law in 2010.

Justice Kofi Barnes

Justice Kofi Barnes obtained his Bachelor of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law school. He was originally appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2004. The Honourable Mr. Justice Kofi Barnes was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in 2013.

Justice George Carter

The Late Justice George Carter graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1948, Carter had his own law firm and practised in the areas of real estate, criminal and family law for 31 years. He was appointed an Ontario provincial court judge in 1979 and later served with the Ontario Court of Justice for 16 years.
He worked as a porter to pay his tuition to law school and served with the Canadian Army in World War II He was instrumental in establishing Legal Aid in the Province of Ontario.[4]

Justice Maurice Charles

The late Honourable Mr. Justice Maurice Charles obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of London and was qualified as a solicitor in England and in Guyana. He practiced as a Magistrate in Ghana, Africa. He was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1969.

Justice Nyron Dwyer

Justice Nyron Dwyer was called to the Ontario Bar in 1988. He was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2015. He was a small claims court deputy judge in Toronto prior to his appointment to the Ontario Court of justice.

Justice Aston Hall

Justice Aston Joseph Hall was appointed the regional senior judge for the Toronto Region, effective September 9, 2017. Jus-tice Hall studied law at Osgoode Hall, where he was president of the Black Law Students Association and the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. Justice Hall also holds Master of Laws degree.

Justice Julius Issac

The late Honourable Mr. Julius Isaac was appointed to the Supe-rior Court of Justice in 1989. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto in 1958. Justice Isaac was also a Senior Magistrate in Grenada. He began Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Canada in 1989. Justice Issac was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada on February 9, 2007.

Justice Lionel Locksley Jones

The late Justice Lionel Jones obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1963. He was appointed to the provincial bench in Alberta in 1977. He later became a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and a mem-ber, ex officio of the Court of Appeal of Alberta in 1995.

Justice Vibert A. Lampkin

Justice Mr. Lampkin is retired from the Ontario Court of Justice. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1969. He obtained his law de-gree at the University of London in 1957 and obtained his Masters of Law Degree from Osgoode Hall in 1977. He was awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2008.

Justice Roman W.G.Pitt

The Late Justice Roman Pitt was a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Upon being called to the bar, he left a prestigious Bay Street law firm to form, with Eric Lindsay, the first partnership of Black lawyers in Canada. In 1994, he was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, becoming the first Black lawyer in Canada to be named to a Superior Court from private practice.

Justice Gregory Regis

Justice Gregory Regis obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Os-goode Hall Law School in 1985. He was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1999 and also held the position Chief Justice in Durham. Justice Regis was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1999, and in 2007, was appointed regional senior jus-tice for the Central East Region. He was reappointed in 2010 and completed the maximum two terms in 2013.

Justice Vibert T. Rosemay

Justice Vibert Rosemay obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Dal-housie Law school in 1969. He was appointed Queen’s Council in 1986 and was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1991.

Justice Corrine Sparks

Justice Corrine Sparks was appointed to the bench in Nova Sco-tia and in Canada. Justice Sparks obtained her law degree from Dalhousie University and obtained a Masters of Law degree from Dalhousie University in 2001. Justice Sparks was appointed to the Nova Scotia Family and Youth Court in 1987. She retired at the end of 2021.

Justice Michael Tullock

Justice Michael Tulloch obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Os-goode Hall Law school in 1989. He was appointed to the Superi-or Court of Justice in 2003. Justice Tulloch was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2013.

Justice Juanita Westmoreland – Traoré

Justice Westmoreland- Traoré was appointed to the Court of Quebec for the District of Montreal in 1999, she was the dean of a law school at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. She obtained her law degree from the University of Montreal in 1966 and she obtained a doctorate in public law from the University of Paris.

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PART 2: THE POLITICIANS

The list aims to list all Black Canadians who have been elected to federal, provincial and municipal governments since Confederation and till now. Over the last couple of years, several people have been elected as noted here. They will be added to the full list shortly, once we have gathered the key biographical info on each one. We have also added the vice-regal representatives – GG and LGs, given their key role in our system of government.

We felt this was a good time to reflect on the significant history that Black Canadian women and men and Canadians of African heritage have played in the political life of Canada.  This is a list of some 75+ who have played and continue to play an honourable role in the well being of all Canadians.  This list includes most but not necessarily all Black Canadians, and does not include the many others who have run for public office and not been elected.  There are of course many others who contribute to public life in other roles including the public service and the judiciary.   This is an opportunity for us to be well informed about the contribution that Black Canadians make and understand what more can happen going forward.

2021:
November: Montreal: Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, Borough mayor, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Que., Councillors: Ericka Alneus, Josué Corvil, Martine Musau Muele, Dominique Ollivier
November: Marci Ien appointed federal Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth
October: Courtney Walcott elected to Calgary City Council
October: Anamie Paul announces resignation as Green Party Leader

2020:
October: Iona Stoddart, elected Councillor, Halifax City Council
October: Marci Ien, elected Liberal Member of Parliament, Toronto Centre
September: Annamie Paul, elected new Leader, Green Party of Canada

2019:
Councillor Pete Fry, City of Vancouver

2918
Mayor Toni Boot, Summerland, BC

Others:
One new MP federally (October 2019) and three new MLAs elected in Manitoba in September 2019

Elected on in the federal election of October 21 in Hamilton Centre, Ontario, for the NDP is
Matthew Green, a former City Councillor.

Elected on September 10, 2019 in Manitoba three new Black MLAs:
– Uzoma Asagwara (pictured) for the NDP in Union Station,
– Jamie Moses for the NDP in St. Vital, and
– Hon. Audrey Gordon for the PCs in Southdale & Appointed to Cabinet January 2021 as Minister of Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery

(More details on the above members will be posted shortly.)

Elected in 2019: Kaycee Madu was elected as a United Conservative Party MLA to Edmonton South-West in the Alberta Provincial election in April 2019 and appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs

Elected in 2019; In Ottawa, Rawlson King was elected to City Council in a by-election in April 2019 – the first African Canadian elected to this council.

The List followed by more details on each person elected till 2018 (Including vice-regal representatives):

National and Federal Politics

  • Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and Director General of La francophonie
  • Lincoln Alexander, MP, first elected in 1968; Ontario Lieutenant Governor appointed in 1985
  • Dr. Hedy Fry, MP and Minister first elected in 1993, Liberal
  • Dr. Jean Augustine, MP and Minister, first elected in 1993, Liberal
  • Dr. Howard McCurdy, MP first elected in 1984, Candidate for NDP leadership
  • Rosemary Brown, Candidate for federal NDP leadership and MLA in BC
  • Vivian Barbeau, MP, first elected in 2006, Bloc Quebecois
  • Tyrone Benskin, MP, first elected 2011, NDP
  • Ahmed Hussen, MP and Minister, first elected 2015, Liberal
  • Greg Fergus, MP, first elected 2015, Liberal
  • Celina Caesar-Chevannes, MP, first elected 2015, Liberal
  • Emanuel Dubourg, first elected 2015, Formally MNA in Quebec, Liberal
  • Frank Baylis, MP, first elected 2015, Liberal
  • Senator Anne Cools, ON
  • Senator Donald Oliver, NS
  • Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, NS
  • Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie, QC

Provincial

Atlantic – Nova Scotia

  • Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, in 2006
  • Wayne Adams, MLA, First Black Nova Scotian elected in Legislature, 1993
  • Yvonne Attwell, MLA, elected in 1998
  • Gordon Earle, MLA, first elected in 1997, NDP
  • Stephen Gough, MLA, first elected 2013
  • Percy Paris, MLA
  • Tony Ince, MLA and Minister

Quebec

  • Jean Alfred, MNA (Parti Quebecois, Gatineau, 1976-1981)
  • Maka Kotto, MP, Parti Quebecois
  • Yolande James, Liberal MNA and Minister
  • Dominique Anglade, MNA and Minister, Liberal; first elected in 2015
  • Frantz Benjamin, MNA first elected 2018, Liberal
  • Lionel Carmant, MNA and Minister, first elected 2018, CAQ
  • Nadine Girault, MNA and Minister, first elected 2018, CAQ
  • Christopher Skeete, MNA, first elected 2018, CAQ

Ontario

  • Leonard Braithwaite, MPP, Liberal first elected 1964
  • Alvin Curling, MPP, Speaker of the Legislature
  • Maryanne Chambers, MPP and Minister, Liberal
  • Zanana Akande, MPP and Minister, NDP; elected in 1990
  • Margaret Best, MPP and Minister, Liberal
  • Mitzi Hunter, MPP and Minister, Liberal
  • Michael Coteau, MPP and Minister, Liberal
  • Granville Anderson, MPP, first elected 2014
  • Jill Andrew, MPP, first elected in 2018, NDP
  • Faisal Hassan, MPP, elected 2018, NDP
  • Laura Mae Lindo, MPP, elected 2018, NDP
  • Kevin Yarde, MPP, elected 2018, NDP
  • Nadine Girault, MPP, elected 2018, NDP

Western Canada

  • Emery Barnes, MLA in BC, Speaker
  • Lindsay Blackett, MLA and Minister, Progressive Conservative, first elected in 2008, Alberta
  • David Sheppard, MLA, elected in 2015, NDP
  • Kaycee Madu, MLA and Minister, elected 2019, UCP

Municipal

  • William Peyton Hubbard. City of Toronto Deputy Mayor and Alderman 1894 to 1914
  • Saint-Firmin Monestime, Mayor of Mattawa, Ontario, 1964
  • James Atebe, Mayor of Mission, BC (and city councillor), first elected 2005
  • Bernadette Clement, Mayor of Cornwall, Ontario; former City Councillor 2018
  • Michael Thompson, City Councillor, Toronto, 2003-2018
  • Kami Akapo, City Councillor, Peterborough
  • Stephen Wright, City Councillor, Peterborough
  • Lindell Smith, City Councillor, Halifax, 2018
  • Sharmarke Dubow, City Councillor, Victoria
  • Markus Chambers, City Councillor, Winnipeg
  • Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Brampton
  • Harold Usher, City Councillor, London (2010-2018)
  • Mohamed Salih, City Councillor, London
  • Arielle Kayabaga, City Councillor, London
  • Rawlson King, City Councillor, Ottawa
  • Jibs Abitoye, City Councillor, Fort Saskatchewan, AB

    • DETAILS:

    Federal

    – Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada (2005-2010) and Secretary General of La Francophonie (2015-2019)

    Mme. Jean was active in the Quebec women’s movement in her youth. She also spent a number of years working as a journalist for Radio-Canada, and then the CBC. She was appointed as Governor General in 2005, where she served until 2010. Following her mandate as Governor General of Canada, she was called by the United Nations to serve as the Special Envoy for the reconstruction efforts in Haiti. In 2015 she was appointed Secretary General of La Francophonie, an international organization representing all countries where French culture an/or the French language is significantly present.

    – Lincoln Alexander, MP for Hamilton West (1968-1980) and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1985-1991)

    Mr. Alexander served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II. Many years after the war, he was elected as a Member of Parliament, the first Black Canadian to be elected as such, and was appointed Minister of Labour in 1979. Following his career in politics, he served five terms as Chancellor of the University of Guelph. Mr. Alexander passed away in 2012.

    – Dr. Hedy Fry, MP for Vancouver Centre (1993-present) and Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women (1996-2002)

    Before entering politics, Dr. Fry lived in Vancouver, where she set up her own medical practice. She served as the President of the British Columbia Federation of Medical Women in 1977, the Vancouver Medical Association from 1988-1989, and of the BC Medical Association from 1990-1991 She was first elected to federal office in 1993 and still holds the seat to this day, making her the longest-serving female MP.

    – Dr. Jean Augustine, MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore (1993-2006) and Secretary/Minister of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women (2002-2004)

    In her youth, Dr. Augustine became actively involved in Toronto’s Carribean community, even playing a part on the organization of the first Caribana Festival in 1967. She was first elected to federal office in1993 and served as Parliamentary Secretary to then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Dr. Augustine served as the first Fairness Commissioner 2007-2015.

    – Dr. Howard McCurdy, MP for Windsor-Walkerville (later renamed Windsor-Lake St. Clair) (1984-1993)

    Prior to his time in elected office, Dr. McCurdy served as Michigan State University’s President of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), which he founded. He was first elected to Canadian Parliament in 1984 and served until 1993. During his time in politics, he ran for leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada. Mr. McCurdy passed away in 2018.

    – Rosemary Brown, MLA (BC) for Vancouver-Burrard (1972-1979)

    Prior to her involvement in politics, Ms. Brown was always engaged in issues of human rights. She was elected in 1972 to the British Columbia Legislature where she served until 1979. She later ran for leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada. Although never holding a position in a federal cabinet, she was sworn into the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada as a member of the federal Security Intelligence Review Committee. Ms. Brown passed away in 2003.

    – Vivian Barbot, MP for Papineau (2006-2008)

    Ms. BoBarbot was a teacher and activist before she became involved with the Bloc Québécois. She is the former president of the Fédération des femmes du Québec and the former Vice President of the Bloc Québécois. She served as an elected official within the party for two years, and also as the interim leader in 2011, becoming the first person of a visible minority group to lead a represented federal Canadian party.

    – Tyrone Benskin, MP for Jeanna-Le Ber (2011-2015)

    As an actor and theatre director prior to being a politician, Mr. Benskin served two terms as the National Vice-President of the ACTRA, Canada’s national film and television actors’ union. Once elected in 2011, Mr. Benskin was named the opposition critic for Canadian Heritage, and then the deputy critic for Official Languages.

    – Ahmed Hussen, MP for York South-Weston (2015-present)

    Mr. Hussen began doing volunteer work for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at around 20 years old, he was soon hired as Dalton McGuinty’s assistant. Hussen founded the Regent Park Community Council, which later helped to revitalize the park through a $500 million project. Mr. Hussen was elected to Canadian Parliament in 2015 and is currently serving as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. Mr. Hussen is also currently the President of the Canadian Somali Congress.

    – Greg Fergus, MP for Hull-Aylmer (2015-Present)

    Mr. Fergus became involved in the Liberal Party of Canada at a young age, serving as the President of the Young Liberals of Canada from 1994-1996. He attracted national attention in this role when he supported a motion calling on the Liberal Party to support same-sex marriage. He was elected to Canadian Parliament in 2015 and currently serves as the Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government.

    – Celina Caesar-Chevannes, MP for Whitby (2015-2019)

    Prior to being elected, Ms. Caesar-Chevannes worked as an international research consultant and emphasized the need to include marginalized populations in clinical research. In 2012 she was named Business Entrepreneur of the year by the Toronto Region Board of Trade. After being elected in 2015 she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. In 2017 she became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development. She did not run in the 2019 election.

    – Emmanuel Dubourg, MP for Bourassa (2013-Present)

    Mr. Dubourg has earned many awards over the years for his work as a teacher and accountant, including the Governor General’s Medal, the Innovation and Excellence prize from Revenue Canada in 1992, and the Black History Month Award for his work in the Black Community. After being elected in 2013, he served as the National Revenue Critic for the Liberals from 2013-2015, and then as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue from 2015-2017.

    – Frank Baylis, MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard (2015-Present)

    Mr. Baylis originally made his name in business. He served as the President of Baylis Medical from 1989-2015. In his capacity as a Member of Parliament, Baylis sits on the Standing Committee on Industry, Science & Technology, and is Chair of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association. He did not run in the 2019 election.

    – Gordon Earle, MP for Halifax West (1997-2000)

    Before being elected, Mr. Earle was a public servant, he worked for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and later served as the Chief Human Rights Officer to the Ombudsman in Nova Scotia. While serving in Canadian Parliament, Mr. Earle was the NDP critic of Multiculturalism, Citizenship and Immigration, Indian Affairs and Northern Development, National Defence, and Veterans Affairs.

    – Anne Cools, Senator from Ontario (1984-2018)

    Ms. Cools spent years working as a social worker. She worked hard for the protection of women from domestic violence and ran one of the first domestic violence shelters in Canada. Ms. Cools was appointed to the Senate in 1984 on the Recommendation of then-Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

    – Donald Oliver, Senator from Nova Scotia (1990-2013)

    Before becoming a Senator, Mr. Oliver practiced law for many years. In 1990 he was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Mr. Oliver served for years as Constitutional Chairman and member of the Finance Committee for the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia, he is also a former Vice-President of the Party.

    – Wanda Thomas Bernard, Senator from Nova Scotia (2016-Present)

    Ms. Bernard is a former social worker and professor from Nova Scotia. She is the first African Nova Scotian to hold a tenure track position at Dalhousie University and to be promoted to full professor. In 2005, Ms. Bernard was awarded the Order of Canada for her work on the topic of racism. She was appointed to the Senate in 2016 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

    – Marie-Françoise Mégie, Senator from Québec (2016-Present)

    Prior to being appointed to the Senate, Mme. Mégie was a physician and professor in Montréal. She has chaired the Association of Haitian Physicians Board and the Association Médicins Francophones du Canada. Mme. Mégie was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016.

    Provincial

    Nova Scotia

    – Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia (2006-2012)

    Ms. Francis served as the director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission from 1999 until her appointment as Lieutenant Governor by Michaelle Jean, on the advice of then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper. She has been recognized with the Harry Jerome Award for her achievements, as well as a Golden Jubilee Medal.

    – Wayne Adams, MLA for Preston (1993-1998)

    Mr. Adams served his community through Municipal politics for many years prior to his provincial election. Throughout his time in provincial office, he was made the Minister of the Environment and the Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. In 2003 he was made a member of the Order of Canada.

    – Yvonne Atwell, MLA for Preston (1998-1999)

    Before being elected to Provincial parliament, Ms. Atwell worked for a number of years as a hospital administrator. She has served as the President of the African Canadian Caucus and the Black United Front. Since the end of her time as an MLA, she has become the director of the African-Canadian Employment Clinic in halifax, and currently serves as the Vice-President of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.

    – Stephen Gough, MLA for Sackville-Beaver Bank (2013-2017)

    Mr. Gough was elected as an MLA in 2013. Prior to his election he had been a Baptist Minister and a technician.

    – Percy Paris, MLA for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank (2006-2013)

    Prior to being elected, Mr. Paris worked in a variety of capacities, such as small business owner, municipal employee, hockey scout, and employee at Dalhousie University in several positions. Paris has received an award from the Human Rights Commission of Nova Scotia. While serving as an MLA in 2009, he was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, where he served as Minister of Economic and Rural Development, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Heritage, and Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs.

    – Tony Ince, MLA for Cole Harbour-Portland Valley (2013-Present)

    Prior to being elected, Mr. Ince worked as a counsellor with the Department of Community Services. After being elected as an MLA in 2013, Mr. Ince was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia where he served as Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, as well as Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. In 2017 he was moved to become Minister of the Public Service Commission.

    Quebec

    – Jean Alfred, MNA for Papineau (1976-1981)

    M. Alfred taught in Haiti for several years before moving to Canada. Before his entry into provincial politics, Alfred served briefly as a councillor for Gatineau City Council. He was elected to the National Assembly of Québec in 1976 and served until 1981. M. Alfred passed away in 2015.

    – Maka Kotto, MP for Saint-Lambert (2004-2008), MNA for Bourget (2008-2018)

    M. Kotto was heavily involved in theatre prior to entering politics, having worked as a teacher of dramatic arts, an actor, and a stage director. Following his election to Canadian parliament, M. Kotto served as the Bloc’s critic for Canadian Heritage. He was elected to the provincial parliament in 2008 and in 2012 was appointed Minister of Culture and Communications.

    – Yolande James, MNA for Nelligan (2004-2014)

    Mme. James had been involved in provincial politics before being elected herself. She had worked as a political advisor at the Ministry of Health and Social Services and as a political aid. Following her election, she was appointed Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities. James is currently a political commentator on several CBC programs, including “Power & Politics”.

    – Dominique Anglade, MNA for Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne (2015-Present)
    Mme. Anglade was elected to the provincial parliament in 2015 and in 2016 was appointed as the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade. She served as Deputy Premier of Québec from 2017-2018.

    – Frantz Benjamin, MNA for Viau (2018-Present)
    Prior to being elected, M. Benjamin served as a member of the Montréal City Council. Since being elected he has been named the Official Opposition Critic for the Protection of the French Language.

    – Nadine Girault, MNA for Bertrand (2018-Present)
    Mme. Girault was elected to the National Assembly of Québec in 2018. She currently serves as the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie.

    – Lionel Carmant, MNA for Taillon (2018-Present)
    Before being elected, M. Carmant worked as a Pediatric Neurologist. He participated in humanitarian missions in Haiti, Mali, and Vietnam. Since his election to the provincial parliament in 2018, he has been appointed to Minister for Health and Social Services.
    Ontario

    – Leonard Braithwaite, MPP for Etobicoke (1963-1975)
    Mr. Braithwaite served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. A proponent of equal treatment, he used his election to office to help pave the way for both the desegregation of public schools, and the admission of female legislative pages. Later in his time in office he served as the Liberal Critic for Labour and Welfare. Mr. Braithwaite passed away in 2012.

    – Alvin Curling, MPP for Scarborough North (1985-2005), Speaker of the Legislature (2003-2005)
    Before entering politics, Mr. Curling was an educator and served as President of the World Literacy of Canada organization from 1981-1984. Upon his election to office in 1985, he was made Minister of Housing. In his capacity as Minister he made impressive changes to the housing situation in Ontario, including expanding the parameters of the rent control program, and introducing a $500 million initiative for new urban housing. Mr. Curling gained notoriety by essentially filibustering the legislature when the Conservative government led by Mike Harris attempted to pass an omnibus bill.

    – Mary Anne Chambers, MPP for Scarborough East (2003-2007)
    Ms. Chambers was very active in the Jamaican community. She was awarded the Jamaican Prime Ministers Medal of Appreciation in 2003 by then-Jamaican Prime Minister, Percival James Patterson for her work in the Jamican community in Toronto. She was elected to the provincial parliament in 2003 and was appointed to be the Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Later in her term she was appointed as Minister of Children and Youth Services.

    – Zanana Akande, MPP for St. Andrew – St. Patrick (1990-1994)
    Ms. Akande grew up in Toronto and stayed there in her time as a teacher and principal. She was elected to office in 1990 and was appointed as Minister of Community and Social Services. In 2004, she was awarded the Constance E. Hamilton Award in recognition of her work addressing issues of equity.

    – Margarett Best, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood (2007-2013)
    Prior to her time in politics, Ms. Best was a lawyer and community activist in Toronto. She was elected in 2007 and quickly appointed to Minister of Health Promotion and Sport. In 2011 she was shuffled to Minister of Consumer Services. She has received many awards and distinctions, including being named one of Canada’s 100 most Accomplished Black Women in 2016 and receiving a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

    – Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood (2013-Present)
    Before being elected, Ms. Hunter served as Vice President at Goodwill Industries of Toronto. She was elected to office in 2013 and the following year she was appointed as an Associate Minister for the Ministry of Finance responsible for the Ontario Pension Plan. In 2016 Hunter was appointed to Minister of Education where she stayed until 2018.

    – Michael Coteau, MPP for Don Valley East (2011- Present)
    After finishing University, Mr. Coteau spent time teaching English in South Korea. He was later elected three consecutive times as a Toronto District School Board trustee. Following Mr. Coteau’s election to the provincial parliament in 2011, he was appointed as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Tourism and Culture, and then promoted in 2013 to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. In 2016, Coteau was given responsibility for establishing anti-racism programs in the province. He served as Minister to a variety of portfolios prior to 2018, when a new party was elected to government.

    – Granville Anderson, MPP for Durham (2014-2018)
    Mr. Anderson is a business owner, his company specializing in mediation services. Anderson was elected to the provincial parliament in 2014, he was then appointed to Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children and Youth Services and as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education.

    – Jill Andrew, MPP for Toronto – St. Paul’s (2018-Present)
    Before being a politician, Ms. Andrew was a public speaker and activist. She co-founded the group Body Confidence Canada. Ms. Andrew was elected in 2018 and has since become part of the first ever Ontario Black Caucus.

    – Faisal Hassan, MPP for York South – Weston (2018-Present)
    Mr. Hassan was elected for the first time in 2018. Along with several of his colleagues, he is part of Ontario’s first ever Black Caucus. He is currently the NDP Critic for Youth Engagement.

    – Laura Mae Lindo, MPP for Kitchener – Centre (2018-Present)
    Before running for the provincial parliament, Ms. Lindo worked as a Director of Diversity and Equity at Wilfrid Laurier University. She was elected in 2018 and currently serves as the NDP Critic for Citizenship and Immigration Services and as the NDP Critic for Anti-Racism. She is part of Ontario’s first ever Black Caucus.

    – Kevin Yarde, MPP for Brampton – North, (2018-Present)
    Mr. Yarde is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and a volunteer with the Toronto location of Covenant House, which is a shelter and support centre for homeless and at-risk youth. Mr. Yarde was elected in 2018 and currently serves as the Deputy Opposition Whip and as the NDP Critic to the Solicitor General.

    Western Canada

    – Emery Barnes, MLA for Vancouver Centre/ Vancouver Burrard (1972-1996)
    Before entering the political realm, Mr. Barnes was a football player. He was elected to office in 1972 and was elected Speaker of the House in 1994. He served in his capacity as speaker for 2 years. In 1995, Mr. Barnes was appointed to the Order of British Columbia. Mr. Barnes passed away in 1998

    – Lindsay Blackett, MLA for Calgary- North West (2008-2012)
    Mr. Blackett had a history in partisan politics long before he ever entered elected office. He was the Youth Convention Coordinator for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada’s Annual General Meeting in 1986. He held many positions, including, Provincial Progressive Conservative Constituency Association Director, and President of the Ottawa-Centre Federal Progressive Conservative Association. Mr. Blackwell even served as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s Office. After being elected in 2008, Mr. Blackett was appointed by the Premier as the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit.

    – David Shepherd, MLA for Edmonton-Centre (2015-present)
    Prior to being elected to Provincial Parliament, Mr. Shepherd was a communications advisor and writer for various organizations, including, The North Edge Business Association, the City of Edmonton, and the Government of Alberta. Mr. Shepherd has been an advocate for transportation and a proponent for affordable and inclusive housing.

    – Kaycee Madu, MLA for Edmonton-South West (2019-present)
    Mr. Madu just recently entered elected office in the 2019 Provincial election in Alberta. Prior to his election, he managed a small law firm in Edmonton with his wife. In the past, Mr Madu has frequently volunteered his legal skills with the Law Society of Alberta Lawyer Referral Program and the Edmonton Community Association of Edmonton. He has strong support for his community league and his church. Upon election, Mr. Madu was appointed as Minister for Municipal Affairs.

    Municipal
    – William Peyton Hubbard
    Mr. Hubbard was the Deputy Mayor and Alderman for the City of Toronto from 1894-1914, one of the first African-Canadian politicians ever elected in Canada. He was elected to city council a total of 15 times, and gained recognition through his fight for public ownership of Toronto’s water and hydroelectric supplies. Mr. Hubbard passed away in 1935.

    – Saint-Firmin Monestime
    Mr. Monestime was the first black Canadian to ever serve as Mayor of a Canadian city. He was elected Mayor of Mattawa in 1964 after practicing medicine there for years, and served until 1977. Mr. Monestime also serves as the national director for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Mr. Monestime passed away in 1977.

    – James Atebe
    Mr. Atebe served as the Mayor of Mission, BC, from 2005-2011. In 2009, Canadian Immigrant magazine named James Atebe as “one of Canada’s Top 25 immigrants” at the Citizenship and Immigration office in Vancouver. Prior to being elected as Mayor, Mr. Atebe had a career in city planning and economic development.

    – Bernadette Clement
    Ms. Clement was elected Mayor of Cornwall in 2018, becoming not only the first person of colour, but also the first woman to ever serve as Mayor of the city. Prior to her entrance to politics, she served as the Executive Director of the city’s SDG Legal Clinic. Ms. Clement ran her mayoral campaign on themes of developing a more collaborative team-oriented approach to managing the city, as well as seeking a way to advance the city’s proposed but long-delayed waterfront redevelopment project.

    – Michael Thompson
    Mr. Thompson is a Toronto city councillor, first elected in 2003 and still currently serving as of 2019. He is the Chair of Toronto’s Economic and Community Development Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. He is the recipient of the African Achievement Award for Excellence in Politics, the York University International Award, the Jain Society of Toronto Community Award, the Bob Marley Award and the Bob Marley Lifetime Achievement Award.

    – Kemi Akapo
    Ms. Akapo is a Peterborough city councillor, elected in 2018. Ms. Akapo has been involved in her community for many years now, having volunteered with groups such as One Roof Community Centre, The Warming Room, and the Kawartha World Issues Centre. When Ms. Akapo was younger, she was encouraged by now-MP and Minister Maryam Monsef to join the YMCA board of directors, thus starting her time in public service.

    – Stephen Wright
    Mr. Wright is a Peterborough city councillor, first elected in 2018. He grew up in Calgary and attended the University of Manitoba for Political Science. Mr. Wright worked for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business prior to running for City Council. He campaigned for City Council on his background in advocacy for property taxpayers.

    – Lindell Smith
    Mr. Smith is a Halifax City Councillor, first elected in 2016. His election broke a 16 year streak of Halifax not having a single non-white City Councillor, Mr. Smith is now using his platform to represent minorities and combat racism in municipal elections. Elected at only 26 years old, engagement of youth in politics is a top priority for him. Mr. Smith wants to work on development and change how the city grows and changes, and he wants everyone to be able to put their voices forward regarding how that is done.

    – Sharmarke Dubow
    Mr. Sharmarke is a City Councillor Victoria, BC, first elected in 2018. Before moving to Canada, he was a human rights advocate and worked with refugee organizations in North Africa. Mr. Sharmarke has also helped resettle and integrate refugees into the community in Victoria. His extraordinary activism has earned his various awards, including the Victoria Community Leadership Award in 2017.

    – Markus Chambers
    Mr. Chambers is a City Councillor in Winnipeg, elected in 2018. Following his time in University, Mr. Chambers worked with the Seven Oaks Youth Centre, which provided consistent support to marginalized youth. He also spent time working with Family Services to deliver employment assistance programs to low-income families. Mr. Chambers spent almost three decades as a public servant before running for city council, he ran on improving access to public transportation and affordable housing for students at the University of Manitoba.

    – Charmaine Williams
    Ms. Williams is a Brampton City Councillor, first elected in 2018. She gained name recognition for her proposal of a gun buyback program in the city. Ms. Williams wants to engage the residents of Brampton in the decisions made at City Hall. She is dedicated to making sure that families have access to social and recreational services that they need. Outside of politics, Ms. Williams is a certified Multi-Systemic Therapist, behavioural consultant and counsellor. In this capacity, she has been a voice for individuals of all ages coping with domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, and other various issues.

    – Mohamed Salih
    Mr. Salih is a City Councillor in London, ON, elected in 2014. In the past, he has raised concerns with the London police regarding racist carding practices. Mr. Salih became involved in politics due to the lack of representation that he saw on the municipal and provincial levels of government. He was named Best Local Politician by The London Free Press Best of London survey in 2018.

    – Arielle Kayabaga
    Ms. Kayabaga is a City Councillor in London, ON, first elected in 2018. She is an active public speaker, and has worked with London Black History Committee and the Regional HIV Aids Connection. Ms. Kayabaga was one of the 29 youngest Canadians chosen to represent the nation’s youth at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She has served on and is a member of various local boards, including the Black History Month committee, the Urban League of London, Réseau-femmes du sud-ouest de l’Ontario, Association culturelle burundo-canadienne de London, and the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition.

    – Rawlson King
    Mr. King is an Ottawa City Councillor, first elected in 2019. He is Ottawa’s first black City Councillor. Mr. King served as the President of the Overbrook Community Association from 2014-2019, where he worked to advance proactive crime prevention strategy and promoted social inclusion, along with greater opportunities for youth. He was recognized for his volunteer work in 2018 when he won a United Way Ottawa Community Builder of the Year Award.

    Sources

    The Canadian Encyclopedia
    www.Michaellejean.com
    Sencanada.ca
    Individual websites

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