William P Hubbard, George Brown

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Black history: Remembering William P. Hubbard

13 January 2011 69 views No Comment

By Samuel Getachew

Broadview Avenue is a long street near the Don River, intersecting streets named after important people like the late Senator Frank Patrick O’Connor, a leading Scarborough politician and philathropist of the 1930′s. Among the mini mansions that line this street, one, recently declared as a heritage property by the Toronto Historical Board, was once owned by the very first politician of African descent in Toronto in 1884: William Peyton Hubbard.

To understand the great journey of William Hubbard to the highly respected positions he held in municipal politics, one is always encouraged to read the story of one of the fathers of Canada’s confederation: George Brown. Brown was a great Canadian and a nation builder who served as both as an elected official and newspaper publisher at the beginning of Canada’s confederation.

He used his government position to fight for the separation of church and state, and became a lead advocate for the electoral process of representation by population. As a publisher of what was then called The Globe (today’s Globe and Mail), he used the paper to fight for the end of institutional slavery and founded the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada that aided American slaves find freedom.

Ironically, Brown cheated an almost certain death when William Hubbard saved him from drowning in the Don River after his carriage bolted on what is today called Broadview Avenue. That sudden and random introduction led Brown to discover the talent of Hubbard in later years and encouraged him to seek office. In 1884, he ran for city councillor and won. Throughout his long career as a councillor, he often served as deputy mayor of Toronto and became a great advocate of the poor.

In office, Hubbard became a very influential progressive voice in council, speaking out for the voiceless. From the Chinese laundry owners to the great fight against the privatization of Toronto’s water and hydroelectric supplies, he spoke out for the people. He was often asked how he was able to have a long and successful career in public service. His answer: “I have always felt that I am a representative of a race hitherto despised, but if given a fair opportunity would be able to command esteem.”

Hubbard died in 1935 and his residence was quickly sold. Since then, the building occupants have come and gone and it is now occupied by the private Montcrest School located on 660 Broadview Avenue. Wiliam P. Hubbard is perhaps one occupant that has made a strong impression and impact. As such, a plaque is laid in front of the house to commemorate his great contribution to Toronto. In later years, one of his sons, Frederick Hubbard, followed in his footsteps and became a Toronto commissioner and first chair of the Toronto Transit Commission.

As we celebrate Black History Month, I hope the celebration will be as much about the past as the present and future.