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Ontario to celebrate Jamaica's independence
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario unanimously passed a resolution brought by a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to recognise August 6, each year, as Jamaican Independence Day throughout the Canadian province.
MPP for the constituency of Scarborough-Rouge River, Bas Balkissoon, brought the motion to the House on Thursday, December 2, arguing that the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Ontarians of Jamaican heritage should be celebrated and recognised.
Balkissoon, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, informed the House about the history of Jamaica, detailed the migration patterns of Jamaicans to Canada, which started with a group of maroons in 1796, and highlighted several outstanding Ontarians of Jamaican heritage. These include the first black lawyer in Canada, Robert Sutherland; first black to serve in Canada as Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Lincoln Alexander; former MPPs and government ministers Hon. Alvin Curling and Dr Mary Anne Chambers; and the current Ontario Minister of Health Promotion, Hon. Margarett Best.
Imploring his fellow members to support his motion, Mr. Balkissoon told them that they all have some close ties to the Jamaican community, noting that the majority of Jamaicans in Canada live in the province of Ontario.
"The Jamaicans have definitely made a contribution to this province. They've made us a better province. As we celebrate diversity as the strength of Ontario, we need to celebrate the people from Jamaica, just as we celebrate all the other ethnic communities in our province," he said.
support for the Motion
Several MPPs showed their support for the Motion by adding their voices to the debate.
Minister Best, in her contribution, paid tribute to the Jamaicans, who paved the way in Ontario, noting that they came from all walks of life as domestic servants, farm workers, labourers, students, nurses, teachers, artisans and trained professionals.
She also mentioned civil rights activist Bromley Armstrong; educator Dr Avis Glaze; Olympic athletes Ben Johnson and Donovan Bailey; businesswoman Delores Lawrence; and the late cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley, who "entertained with both audacity and charm as she spread the rich Jamaican culture through her poetry, singing and cultural activism.
"Many have risen to the top in their fields of endeavour, and many have made enormous sacrifices that have allowed me and others to enjoy our freedoms and opportunities. It is with great humility that I take this opportunity to thank them," said the Minister who hails from May Pen, Clarendon.
"This is a legacy of Jamaican-born Ontarians; the legacy we want Ontarians to talk about, to write about; the legacy we want to set as an example for our children; the legacy we want our children to live and the legacy we want to continue. This is the legacy that defines us and drives us," she added.
Adding his comments, MPP for Leeds-Grenville, Steve Clark, said generations of Jamaican immigrants have left a lasting legacy on Ontario in a variety of areas, including arts, culture, business, sports and politics, and official recognition by Ontario of Jamaican Independence Day is a way to formally celebrate and honour them.
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario unanimously passed a resolution brought by a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to recognise August 6, each year, as Jamaican Independence Day throughout the Canadian province.
MPP for the constituency of Scarborough-Rouge River, Bas Balkissoon, brought the motion to the House on Thursday, December 2, arguing that the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Ontarians of Jamaican heritage should be celebrated and recognised.
Balkissoon, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, informed the House about the history of Jamaica, detailed the migration patterns of Jamaicans to Canada, which started with a group of maroons in 1796, and highlighted several outstanding Ontarians of Jamaican heritage. These include the first black lawyer in Canada, Robert Sutherland; first black to serve in Canada as Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Lincoln Alexander; former MPPs and government ministers Hon. Alvin Curling and Dr Mary Anne Chambers; and the current Ontario Minister of Health Promotion, Hon. Margarett Best.
Imploring his fellow members to support his motion, Mr. Balkissoon told them that they all have some close ties to the Jamaican community, noting that the majority of Jamaicans in Canada live in the province of Ontario.
"The Jamaicans have definitely made a contribution to this province. They've made us a better province. As we celebrate diversity as the strength of Ontario, we need to celebrate the people from Jamaica, just as we celebrate all the other ethnic communities in our province," he said.
support for the Motion
Several MPPs showed their support for the Motion by adding their voices to the debate.
Minister Best, in her contribution, paid tribute to the Jamaicans, who paved the way in Ontario, noting that they came from all walks of life as domestic servants, farm workers, labourers, students, nurses, teachers, artisans and trained professionals.
She also mentioned civil rights activist Bromley Armstrong; educator Dr Avis Glaze; Olympic athletes Ben Johnson and Donovan Bailey; businesswoman Delores Lawrence; and the late cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley, who "entertained with both audacity and charm as she spread the rich Jamaican culture through her poetry, singing and cultural activism.
"Many have risen to the top in their fields of endeavour, and many have made enormous sacrifices that have allowed me and others to enjoy our freedoms and opportunities. It is with great humility that I take this opportunity to thank them," said the Minister who hails from May Pen, Clarendon.
"This is a legacy of Jamaican-born Ontarians; the legacy we want Ontarians to talk about, to write about; the legacy we want to set as an example for our children; the legacy we want our children to live and the legacy we want to continue. This is the legacy that defines us and drives us," she added.
Adding his comments, MPP for Leeds-Grenville, Steve Clark, said generations of Jamaican immigrants have left a lasting legacy on Ontario in a variety of areas, including arts, culture, business, sports and politics, and official recognition by Ontario of Jamaican Independence Day is a way to formally celebrate and honour them.