Percy Paris & John Paris Jr - Member Statement

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

THE SPEAKER « » : By all means.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : I would like to draw the members' attention to the gallery opposite, where Mike and Faye Paris have travelled to be here today from Windsor. They are the siblings of John Paris, Jr., and the honourable Percy Paris, former member for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank, former Minister of Economic and Rural Development; Tourism, Culture and Heritage; and African Nova Scotian Affairs. I'll read a statement about them shortly. In the meantime, I ask all members to extend to the Paris siblings the warmest and sincerest of greetings. (Standing ovation)

THE SPEAKER « » : Welcome to you as well.

The honourable member for Dartmouth South.

PARIS, PERCY & JOHN JR.: HOCKEY TRAILBLAZERS - RECOG.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize brothers Percy Paris and John Paris, Jr., two legendary Nova Scotia hockey players.

Percy Paris played for the Saint Mary's Huskies and was part of the first all-Black line in Canadian university and collegiate hockey. John Paris, Jr. was the first African Canadian coach and general manager in professional hockey and the first Black scout in the NHL.

This past February, during Black Heritage Month, the brothers were honorary coaches in a game commemorating the 128th anniversary of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, the first all-Black league founded in Nova Scotia. The Halifax Eurekas and the Dartmouth Jubilees, named for the first teams formed in the CHL, faced off in an exciting commemorative game of hockey in Dartmouth. Hockey is and always has been for everyone.

Please join me in recognizing these two trailblazers.