Harry Ralph Gairey (29 August 1898 – 1993) was a Jamaican-born Black Canadian community leader and activist who worked as a railroad porter for much of his life.
In 1936, to support his young family, Gairey returned to railway work, this time for Canadian Pacific as a porter.
[4] Gairey argued that since military conscription was extended to all young Canadian men, regardless of race, the rights of every citizen should be the same as well.
[3] Gairey's civil rights activism made him a leader in Toronto's Black community and effected change at a national level.
[6] Harry Gairey received the Jamaican Order of Distinction in 1977 in recognition of his long service to the Caribbean communities of Toronto.