Ontario Liberal MPP Alvin Curling became the first black Speaker of the Ontario legislature Wednesday.

"This is an important job and this job cannot be done successfully if I do not have the full co-operation of the entire house," said Curling.

"I will ask of you all if you can assist me during this time to make this house an example for the democratic arena that we have in the world."

Alvin Curling (photo: olaap.ontla.on.ca)

Curling was temporarily barred from the Legislature in 1995 after staging an 18-hour sit-in to protest a Conservative omnibus bill. He refused to leave when ordered to by the Speaker. During his sit-in, MPPs gave Curling a bottle to urinate in.

He was rewarded for his efforts and the bill was subjected to public hearings.

The 103 MPPs voted for the Speaker through a secret ballot.

Curling, 64, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was first elected in 1985 and became the province's first black cabinet minister under then- premier David Peterson.