CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Ten months after becoming the Island’s first black legislator, Gord McNeilly hopes his presence in the Coles building will help foster a more inclusive community on the Island.
McNeilly, who had been well-known on the Island for his work as a fitness instructor, became the only new MLA to join the Third Party Liberal bench after last April’s election. It was McNeilly’s second run at politics, after he ran in the 2015 election with the New Democratic Party.
McNeilly will be one of several speakers featured in a panel discussion, held as part of P.E.I.’s Black History Month, today at Confederation Centre Art Gallery, begininng at 7 p.m. The event, which is free of charge, will also feature presentations by Yvette Doucette, Dante Bazard, and Elizabeth Iwunwa. It is entitled Creating a new dynamic on P.E.I. and will explore themes of inclusion, retention and belonging.
McNeilly gained a definitive spot in P.E.I. history books with his election win. But his campaign did not directly emphasize his heritage.
Gord McNeilly
- Attended UNB.
- Previous owner of UFIT.
- Ran under the NDP in 2015 in District 14 Charlottetown-Lewis Point, losing to Kathleen Casey.
- Ran again in 2019 with the Liberals and won in District 14 Charlottetown-West Royalty.
McNeilly said the first conversation he had about the significance of his election was in an interview the day after the election with The Guardian’s Dave Stewart.
“It was my daughter that said to Dave, 'I think he's the first black legislator ever on Prince Edward Island,'” McNeilly said.
McNeilly’s father, Russell McNeilly, moved to Fredericton in the 1960s from Trinidad. He worked hard, McNeilly says, working four or five jobs. He would eventually help other members of his family migrate to Canada and went on to teach at the University of New Brunswick for almost 30 years.
"We didn't talk about race, but he was definitely proud of the person he taught me to be,” McNeilly said of his father.
“He taught me to be kind and always help people. He was grateful for what our country and the Maritimes brought to him."
McNeilly’s mother, Sandra, who was born in Canada, was also a teacher. McNeilly said she and Russell met on a blind date.
McNeilly said he has not been singled out because of his colour but acknowledges black Islanders do face social barriers.
"We're kind on the Island,” McNeilly said.
“But with different races, we don't ask the questions we could that would allow inclusion."
McNeilly said he hopes to see more Islanders reach out to newcomers who may be outside of their existing circles.
"I want people to go out on a Saturday night and it look like a rainbow,” he said.
“We have to stop and do a little bit more as individuals to allow that to happen."
McNeilly has attempted to support members of P.E.I.’s black community and has invited many to get involved in the political world.
Charles Aonda, who arrived at UPEI as an international student from Nigeria, took part in McNeilly’s election campaign last April, often canvassing with him door-to-door.
Aonda said he has stayed in touch with McNeilly since then. He has also founded an organization, Ruth’s, a clothing company that raises money for immigrants and international students who struggle with the cost of living in Canada.
Aonda said the idea of a black community on P.E.I. had not seemed real for years. But he says the presence of visible figures in the community like McNeilly has started to change this.
"With him being around and the Black Cultural Society and Black History Month going on right now, it's becoming more tangible, something you can actually see in the community," Aonda said.
