Friends of Toronto Public Cemeteries went to court to get a legal interpretation of the legislation governing the public trust - now known as 'Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries.'
On December 31 2018, Justice Sean Dunphy released his decision:
We Won!
Click here for details of the decision
On May 5, 2020, certain findings of Justice Dunphy were reversed by the Court of Appeal, but his KEY findings remain intact:
1) the statutory trust continues to exist;
2) the Legislature of Ontario has the power to update the MPGC legislation as it sees fit;
3) the Act governing MPGC is a public, not a private Act, unlike other heritage cemeteries; and
4) Friends acted to vindicate an important public interest.
Who We Are
‘Friends of Toronto Public Cemeteries’ (FTPC) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in January 2013 with over 100 members and growing across the GTA.
We are a grassroots organization made up entirely of volunteers working for the betterment of the community through education and partnerships.
Our primary purpose is to advocate to the government of Ontario for positive change and increased transparency and accountability through the interpretation, enforcement and updating of legislation governing the public trust now known as Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC).
We are a grassroots organization made up entirely of volunteers working for the betterment of the community through education and partnerships.
Our primary purpose is to advocate to the government of Ontario for positive change and increased transparency and accountability through the interpretation, enforcement and updating of legislation governing the public trust now known as Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC).
What We Are Doing
On April 30, 2013, the FTPC filed an application with the Superior Court of Ontario, asking for a number of declarations, that:
Our goal is simple - return the Trust to the public; restore and preserve the historic and heritage value it represents to the people of Toronto.
- MPGC is a trust;
- MPGC is still governed by the Special Act creating it; and
- MPGC was created for the benefit of the public.
Our goal is simple - return the Trust to the public; restore and preserve the historic and heritage value it represents to the people of Toronto.
Interested in becoming a Friend of Toronto Public Cemeteries? - Join Us
