OTTAWA - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence issued the following statement today on the death of Lincoln Alexander, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario:
“I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Lincoln Alexander who, as a former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, and as Canada’s first black Member of Parliament, was a true Canadian hero.
“After first being elected as a Member of Parliament in 1968, Mr. Alexander went on to a distinguished career serving as the federal Minister of Labour, Chairman of the Ontario Worker’s Compensation Board, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and the Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
“Mr. Alexander will always be remembered for breaking down racial barriers in Canadian politics, and his concern for social justice, his compassion and his humanity were evident and prominent throughout his life. He left an indelible imprint on Canada and the Canadian political system.
“His enormous heart and compassion, leadership and love of life matched his physical size. He was a role model for all and will be missed by all who knew him.”
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