December 10, 2020

We regret that Orillia City Council has decided not to provide funding for an accessible sidewalk, benches and sodding around the Survivor’s Memorial Monument in the Huronia Regional Centre cemetery, overturning its own budget committee’s recommendation.

We are sure there are many people in Orillia who – like Councillors Tim Lauer, David Campbell and Jay Fallis - would support this request from institution survivors. 

We are sure even more people in Orillia would support the need to make the Monument accessible. 

HRC’s history is tied to Orillia’s, ever since municipal leaders campaigned to have the institution located here. For 150 years, HRC has benefited Orillia economically. It provided the salaries of thousands of staff and the pensions of retirees - to support city businesses, municipal government and community life. 

It was 7 years ago this week, when leaders of all Ontario political parties apologized for the suffering we now know people endured at HRC, and committed not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The HRC Cemetery monument was commissioned by survivors and paid for through their class action settlement fund. Please read about the work of “Remember Every Name” – dedicated to honouring those who died at HRC and those who survived – at www.remembereveryname.ca 

We encourage everyone to visit the cemetery to see the Monument – before forming an opinion about this. Please read the inscribed words of survivors. Take in the message they communicate through Hilary Clark Cole welded steel tree, bursting into life and freedom through Signature Memorials’ high, black granite walls. The empty institution buildings are reflected on one side; crows take flight and flowers bloom, on the other. 

Unfortunately, there was insufficient funding to complete the work. Now that the City of Orillia has denied help, we hope interested citizens might support us. Donations can be made to the Bracebridge United Church, to “Remember Every Name”. To enquire further please contact Debbie Vernon at vernon@muskoka.com or by phone 705-645-0298.