Jamaican-born Alvin F. Curling represented the Ontario riding of Scarborough North from 1985 to 2005 as a Liberal MPP and served as Minister of Housing, Minister of Skills Development, and opposition critic before being elected Speaker of the Legislature. From 2005 to 2006, Curling served as Canada's ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

Alvin Curling was born in Kingston, Jamaica, the son of Alvin Curling and Maud Groves. He grew up in Jamaica and attended the College of Science and Technology in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon immigrating to Canada, Curling attended Seneca College of Arts and Technology and York University near Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from Seneca College's Municipal Administration program and was awarded the Seneca Cup.

While in Jamaica, Curling worked in the management of housing and land settlement. After immigrating to Canada, Curling served as an educational administrator, specifically as Director of Student Services at Seneca College. From 1981 to 1984, he was President of World Literacy of Canada, where he also served as a Board Director.

In 1985, Curling was elected to the provincial riding of Scarborough North, with the highest vote total in Canadian history. He was also the first Afro-Caribbean MPP and the first Liberal member elected in that riding. He was re-elected five times.

In 1985, shortly after first being elected as MPP, Curling was appointed Minister of Housing, becoming the first black member of the cabinet, under the David Peterson government. In 1987, Curling was appointed Minister of Skills Development, a role he fulfilled until 1989.

From 1990 to 2003, Curling served as the Ontario Liberal opposition critic for various departments: solicitor general, human rights, disabilities, youth issues, housing, colleges and universities, urban affairs, as well as skills development and training. In 1995, Curling achieved notoriety for participating in an 18-hour filibuster in which he and his colleagues refused to leave their seats in protest against the Conservatives wanting to rush Bill 26 through Parliament without public hearings.

From 1996 to 1999, Curling served as Deputy House Leader. In 2003, he was elected Speaker of the Legislature. Curling resigned his seat in 2005 to accept the posting of Canada's ambassador to the Dominican Republic, where he served until recalled in 2006. He was honoured by the Government of Jamaica with the Order of Distinction and has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Technology in Jamaica.

Curling has served on numerous advisory boards and committees including as Chair of the Advisory Board to the Caribana Cultural Committee, Member of the Board of Directors of the World Hunger Project, Member of the Jamaican-Canadian Association, and Member of the Advisory Board to the Chinese Cultural Centre. He has also been Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).

As of 2009, Curling serves as Co-chairman of the Roots of Youth Violence Secretariat with the Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, Q.C.