Harry Gairey facts for kids

Harry Ralph Gairey (1898–1993) was a community leader and activist. He was born in Jamaica and became a Black Canadian. For much of his life, he worked as a railroad porter. He is remembered for fighting for equal rights and making important changes for Black Canadians.

Harry Gairey's Early Life and Work

Harry Gairey moved to Toronto from Cuba in 1914. He first worked for the Grand Trunk Railway. He did jobs like washing dishes, cooking, and serving food. In the early 1930s, he lost his job. This happened because the railway joined with Canadian National. Many Black waiters were laid off during this time.

In 1936, Harry Gairey returned to railway work. He became a porter for Canadian Pacific. Porters faced tough working conditions and had little job security. Because of this, Gairey and other porters, like Stanley G. Grizzle, decided to act. They formed a local group of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters union in the 1940s. This union helped workers get better conditions. Later, in the late 1940s, Gairey was promoted to a porter instructor.

Fighting for Fairness and Equal Rights

Harry Gairey was a strong voice for civil rights. In November 1945, his teenage son, Harry Gairey Jr., faced a problem. He was not allowed into the Icelandia indoor skating rink. This happened because of his race. News about this incident and student protests spread widely in Toronto.

Gairey spoke to his local alderman and the city council. His efforts led to Toronto's first anti-discrimination law in 1947. He argued that if all young Canadian men had to join the military, then all citizens should have the same rights, no matter their race.

Gairey's work for civil rights made him a key leader in Toronto's Black community. His actions also brought change across Canada. He was inspired by Marcus Garvey. Gairey was a founding member of the Toronto branch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. He also helped create the Negro Citizenship Association. This group worked to change Canada's unfair immigration laws.

After he passed away, Harry Gairey was praised for his leadership. He was honored for his many efforts to fight against unfair treatment based on race.

Awards and Recognition

Harry Gairey received several important awards for his work.

• In 1977, he was given the Jamaican Order of Distinction. This was for his long service to the Caribbean communities in Toronto.
• He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1986. This is one of Canada's highest honors.
• In 1987, he received the Order of Ontario. This was the very first year this award was given out.
• In 1996, an outdoor skating rink in Alexandra Park, Toronto, was named in his honor. It is called the Harry Gairey Rink.