CBCnews
Story Tools: EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share

Ontario names Curling as new Speaker

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 | 4:41 PM ET

CBC News
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)
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.

  • This story is now closed to commenting.
Story Tools: EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share
 

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Red Cross told late about prisoner transfers Video
Canadian officials delayed telling the Red Cross it had transferred prisoners to Afghan authorities, CBC News has learned, a situation that may have put detainees at greater risk of abuse.
Storm tosses B.C. ferry passengers
BC Ferries passengers were thrown about a ship buffeted by high winds and reported seven- to 10-metre waves on a voyage Prince Rupert to Skidegate in the Queen Charlotte Islands early Monday morning.
Baby cribs recalled after 4 deaths Video
U.S. government safety regulators are recalling more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by B.C.-based Stork Craft Manufacturing, the biggest crib recall in U.S. history.
Mother lost grip in child's airport fall: police Video
A 15-month-old Winnipeg-born boy died Sunday night after wriggling out of his mother's arms and falling about 15 metres at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
4 acquitted in Creba killing Video
Four men accused in the 2005 shooting death of 15-year-old Jane Creba in downtown Toronto were acquitted of manslaughter charges Monday.