In November 2020, Friends of Toronto Public Cemeteries joined forces with the
Council for Consumer and Industry Fairness in Bereavement, an umbrella bereavement sector advocacy group, to raise their voices to the Province about the urgent need to modernize MPGC's legislation.
For more information and developments visit www.ccifb.ca
December 8, 2021 -MPP Jessica Bell introduces Private Member's Bill to Enshrine Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries as a Public and Charitable Corporation
The Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC) trust was founded in the 1800’s using public money, and was run by trustees as a public trust for most of its history. By the mid 2000s, the MPGC board began to claim the trust was their own commercial, privately owned cemetery. Today, the MPGC trust amounts to a $3-billion public asset with 1,222 acres of urban forest.
On December 8, 2021 University-Rosedale MPP Jessica Bell introduced a Private Member's Bill that, if passed, would enshrine Mount Pleasant Cemeteries as a public and charitable corporation. Friends extends its thanks to the Council for Consumer and Industry Fairness in Bereavement, MPP Bell, Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Geoff Kettel from the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations, and Gary Foster from the Ontario Monument Builders' Association for their advocacy and support.
The Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries are treasured sites from Oshawa to Brampton where our loved ones are buried, and where the living find peace, relaxation and enjoyment. To help ensure they stay that way, sign MPP Bell's petition here, which will be read in the legislature.
You can read the full bill here.
Council for Consumer and Industry Fairness in Bereavement, an umbrella bereavement sector advocacy group, to raise their voices to the Province about the urgent need to modernize MPGC's legislation.
For more information and developments visit www.ccifb.ca
December 8, 2021 -MPP Jessica Bell introduces Private Member's Bill to Enshrine Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries as a Public and Charitable Corporation
The Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC) trust was founded in the 1800’s using public money, and was run by trustees as a public trust for most of its history. By the mid 2000s, the MPGC board began to claim the trust was their own commercial, privately owned cemetery. Today, the MPGC trust amounts to a $3-billion public asset with 1,222 acres of urban forest.
On December 8, 2021 University-Rosedale MPP Jessica Bell introduced a Private Member's Bill that, if passed, would enshrine Mount Pleasant Cemeteries as a public and charitable corporation. Friends extends its thanks to the Council for Consumer and Industry Fairness in Bereavement, MPP Bell, Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Geoff Kettel from the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations, and Gary Foster from the Ontario Monument Builders' Association for their advocacy and support.
The Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries are treasured sites from Oshawa to Brampton where our loved ones are buried, and where the living find peace, relaxation and enjoyment. To help ensure they stay that way, sign MPP Bell's petition here, which will be read in the legislature.
You can read the full bill here.
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Media Coverage:
"How Margot Boyd took on the city's biggest cemetery and won" - Thornhill Post, George Redak, March 2019 
"A big win this week for a group of citizens fighting to reclaim over 500 hectares of public cemetery space.." - CBC NEWS VIDEO (segment begins at 7:30 minutes in video), January 4, 2019 
"Toronto residents are now owners of 1,222 acres of cemetery land after court ruling" - CBC, Julia Knope, January 4, 2019 
"Court rules public has right to oversee Mount Pleasant and other GTA cemeteries" - Toronto Star, David Rider, January 3, 2019 
"Group of Toronto residents heads to court in dispute with Mount Pleasant Group of Cemetries" - Genealogy a la carte, Gail Denver, August 24, 2018 
"Mount Pleasant Cemetery Group is a public trust – but it's being run like a private corporation." - Financial Post, Diane Francis, April 27, 2018 
"Neighbours launch legal battle against Mount Pleasant Cemetery over who really owns the land." - Toronto Star, Samantha Beattie, April 21, 2018 
"Grave concerns: Is Mount Pleasant cemetery group Ontario's ‘lost’ crown corporation?" - National Post, Tom Blackwell, May 5, 2012 
"Residents challenge cemetery status - Group hopes ancient legislation will make corporation public" - Post City Toronto, Bree Rodymantha, August 29, 2013 
John Tory - CFRB 1010, The Live Drive - "Who owns Mt. Pleasant Group of Cemeteries?" - Dec 16, 2010 |
