Body of Lincoln Alexander lying in state at Queen’s Park

Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Queen’s Park on Monday, where the body of Lincoln Alexander, the first black person elected to the House of Commons and the former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, is lying in state.

Harper paid his respects and visited with Alexander’s wife Marni and other family members.

Earlier in the day former prime minister Joe Clark visited Queen’s Park and signed the book of condolences.

“He was, of course, a highly accomplished man, an excellent lawyer, a very good minister, but it was as a human that he excelled. He made everybody feel welcome, he made everybody feel important,” said Clark.

“He had a great enthusiasm about life and about country and about his service in parliament. I think that he set an enormous example to the country. He was an extraordinary public servant who left an indelible mark on the country”

The public can pay their respects to Alexander in the lobby of the main legislative building from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.

His body will be returned to Hamilton city hall on Monday night and a state funeral is scheduled for Friday at Hamilton Place.

Alexander died Friday morning in hospital. He was 90.

The Hamilton man known to all as “Linc” was remembered for his many firsts in politics and public service and praised for his role in helping to break down race barriers in the country.

Current Lt.-Gov. David Onley said Alexander was a “living legend” in Hamilton. In a statement, Onley said his life and career were “a series of groundbreaking firsts.”

“At a time when racism was endemic in Canadian society, he broke through barriers that treated visible minorities as second-class citizens, strangers in their own land,” he said.

Books of condolences are available at both the legislature and Hamilton city hall during public viewings, as well as online.

Click here to sign the online book of condolences.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today