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HONOURS AND AWARDS

 

What is the Lincoln M. Alexander Award?

The Lincoln M. Alexander Award honours youth who have worked to eliminate racial discrimination in Ontario. This award was first given in 1993. There are three awards – two student awards and one community award.

About Lincoln M. Alexander

The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander PC, OC, BA, LLD. was born in 1922. His parents were West Indian immigrants. He was in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He went to McMaster University and Osgoode Hall. In 1965 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. Then he was a partner in a Hamilton law firm from 1963-79. From 1968 to 1985, he served in the House of Commons. He was Federal Minister of Labour, was later appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and became the first member of a minority group to be Lieutenant Governor of Canada. Youth and education were the hallmarks of this mandate.

Who are the award recipients?

Since 1993, The Lincoln M. Alexander Award has recognized young people who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in eliminating racial discrimination. Each year, three young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, receive an award of $5,000 each and a framed scroll.

Did you know…

Past recipients of the student award include:

  1. A high school student who led anti-racism youth training groups through the local board of education
  2. An 18 year-old who was one of ten students selected from across Canada to participate in the production of “Nobody's Born a Racist”, a national youth guide and video
  3. A 16 year-old who was an innovator in race relations training and wrote an award-winning essay on the Holocaust.

Previous recipients of the community award include:

  1. A young educator who worked actively for ten years to increase public awareness about racial discrimination and to teach children, teens and adults how to change behaviour patterns
  2. A 22 year-old who launched a clothing line with messages about 'unlearning' racial discrimination
  3. A teenager who made significant contributions to his community's race relations advisory committee.

Who can receive these awards?

Student Award:

Full-time students who attend senior high school or who will be going to into a post-secondary education program can be nominated by their schools.

Community Award:

Anyone who lives in Ontario and is between 16 and 25 years old can be nominated by a community organization or agency that works in the field of race relations.

How are recipients selected?

Community organizations working in the field of race relations can submit nominations. A selection committee, representing the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and community organizations, review the nominations and select each year’s recipients.

How is the medal awarded?

A special ceremony is held at Queen’s Park to recognize the recipients each year. Recipients receive a personalized certificate as well as a $5,000 cash award.

When is the deadline?

The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2008.

How should nominations be submitted?

When nominations are being accepted for this year, you will find a nomination form on this website in both PDF and HTML formats.

Where can I get more information?

Do you have questions about Ontario’s recognition programs? Contact us at the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat.

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