National Democracy

By 1997, African Nova Scotians had been actively involved in Nova Scotia politics since the late 1880's. There was participation at the municipal & provincial levels with several individuals having sought and won seats in both levels of government, but there had never been anyone elected to the Canadian Parliament.

Truro’s Lynn Jones had first tried to enter the hallowed halls of Parliament Hill in 1993 representing the New Democratic Party in a Halifax riding. Jones was not successful in her attempt, but a few years later, in 1997, Halifax born Gordon Earle was elected to the House of Commons representing the riding of Halifax West.

Gordon Earle

Senator Donald Oliver

In 1990, Minister Brian Mulroney appointed Donald H. Oliver to the upper chamber making him the first African Nova Scotian to serve in the Canadian Senate.

In 2006, Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, appointed Mayann E. Francis of Nova Scotia as Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. The Honourable Mayann E. Francis is the first African Nova Scotian to fill the provinces’ highest position as the Queen’s representative.

Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Mayann E. Francis

In 2007, Halifax native, Linda Carvery was appointed a judge of the Canadian Citizenship Court for the Atlantic Region. Judge Carvery is the first Citizenship Court Judge of colour for the Atlantic region and presides over the swearing-in ceremony for new Canadians. The year 2007 saw Canada witness another historic occasion as Sydney native Valerie Miller was sworn in as a Justice of the Canadian Tax Court. Madame Justice Miller is the first women of colour to serve in this capacity.

For more information be sure to visit the full exhibit at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.