Brownell's Bill To Preserve Premiers' Gravesites Closer To Law

Jim Brownell

April 7, 2006
Standard Freeholder

Toronto (CP) The final resting places of past Ontario premiers deserve better recognition, says a Liberal member of provincial parliament hoping to pass legislation requiring their gravesites are better preserved as historical landmarks.

A private member's bill by local MPP Jim Brownell, which passed second reading in the Ontario legislature Thursday, would permit the province to erect flags and plaques near the graves, so long as they comply with local bylaws and the families of the deceased.

Brownell said that althouhg most gravesites of Canada's late prime ministers are properly makred and often visited by tourists, the graves of Ontario's late premiers receive little attention.

"I have no doubt that once known and properly marked, the gravesites of Ontario's former premiers will receive similar attention," Brownell said.

"These men and their contributions deserve to be recognized by the province.:
A cemetery in Brownell's own Dundas-South Glengarry riding includes the grave of John Sandfield Macdonald, Ontario's first premier from 1867 to 1871. Local officials say the large grave itself in St. Andrew's cemetery is in good condition, but a stone fence around it is deteriorating and few know it's even there.

Another grave in his riding holds Sir James Pliny Whitney, who held the premier's office from 1905 to 1914, but that grave is under water.