🔦 Black Light: Elected Leader of the Week

Greg Fergus – Canada’s First Black Speaker of the House

When Greg Fergus became the first Black Speaker of the House of Commons in Canadian history in October 2023, it marked more than a personal milestone — it was a powerful moment for Black Canadians whose voices have too often been sidelined in national political discourse.

Now, in the final days before Canada’s 2025 federal election, Fergus continues to shape Parliament with dignity, balance, and a steady moral compass. A longtime Liberal MP for Hull–Aylmer, Quebec, Fergus is known for his calm leadership, his bilingual fluency, and his enduring commitment to racial justice, equity, and democracy.

From Parliamentary Secretary to Parliament’s Referee

Fergus was first elected in 2015 and has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, to the Minister of Digital Government, and to the President of the Treasury Board. But his appointment as Speaker — the non-partisan arbiter of debate in the House — was a watershed moment.

He assumed the role during a time of deep political polarization, vowing to restore civility and respect in Canada’s most powerful chamber. As Speaker, Fergus must remain neutral — but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a symbol of progress and Black excellence in governance.

A Voice for Representation

Though the Speaker traditionally avoids public political commentary, Fergus has long been vocal about anti-Black racism, access to education, and the need for more diversity in federal institutions.

In a 2021 Black History Month address to Parliament, Fergus said:

“We must continue to work to ensure that every Black Canadian sees themselves reflected in the story of this country — not just as survivors of injustice, but as builders, thinkers, leaders.”

A Global Caribbean Canadian Legacy

Fergus’s background as a Caribbean Canadian with St. Kitts and Nevis heritage grounds his political journey in a broader diasporic identity. He is part of a growing movement of Black leaders across the Americas and the Caribbean who are reshaping their nations from within the halls of power — not just through protest, but through policy.

Why It Matters

At a time when Canadians are preparing to cast their ballots in a pivotal federal election, Greg Fergus remains a reminder that leadership is not about volume — it’s about vision. As Parliament heads into a new era, his presence at the Speaker’s chair offers a model for what inclusion can look like in practice.

Black Light is Vision Newspaper’s weekly editorial spotlight on Black elected leaders around the world — amplifying the voices shaping justice, democracy, and change from inside the system. Follow us @VisionNewspaper for more. #BlackLight #VisionNewspaper

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