Honourable senators, the 2022 theme for Black History Month in Canada is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.”

This theme focuses on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. This year, I want to highlight their contributions at the municipal level in Quebec.

When Jean Alfred was elected as a city councillor in Gatineau in 1975, it set the stage at the municipal level in Quebec. It was not until 1994 that four new Black municipal officials were elected, two of whom became mayors for several terms. They were the late Ulrick Chérubin in Amos and Michel Adrien in Mont-Laurier. That same year, Kettly Beauregard would become the first Black woman elected to Montreal city council.

Four Black people were elected between 1998 and 2017.

The entire province of Quebec had six Black municipal officials going into the 2021 municipal elections.

An analysis of the November 7, 2021, election results by Councillor Josué Corvil of the Saint-Michel district in Montreal found that 27 Black people, including 19 women, were elected in more than 1,100 municipalities in Quebec. I want to recognize Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, who was elected mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. Colleagues, please join me in congratulating them.

According to Statistics Canada projections, the Black population will continue to grow and could reach 5% of the total population of Canada by 2036. By then, if not sooner, I hope to see that same representation of Black people on city councils.

I want the Black population to see themselves reflected in our democratic institutions and to feel represented by the members of our community.

As Myrlande Pierre, a researcher with the UQAM Centre de recherche en immigration, ethnicité et citoyenneté, wrote:

Promoting the full participation of Black communities will help legitimize our democracy, for a more just and equitable society.

I urge Black people to get involved in politics at all levels. Yesterday I spoke about this to a group of teens from Calixa Lavallée high school in Montreal at an event organized by S’Engage.

If we want Black communities to be well represented, Black people will have to run for office, go vote and make their voices heard, which will contribute to a more harmonious society. Thank you.