Protecting our cemeteries

May 20, 2010

Rob Leverty executive director of the OHS spoke of the preservation of cemeteries at the Cloyne and District Historical Society’s AGM

Members of the Cloyne and District Historical Society gathered for their AGM on May 17 at the Barrie Hall in Cloyne and were treated to a presentation by Rob Leverty, Executive Director of the Ontario Historical Society (OHS), who spoke about current legislation regarding the preservation of cemeteries in Ontario.

His visit was an outgrowth of the recent restoration and rededication of the Cloyne Pioneer Cemetery, which took place last August. The Cloyne & District Historical Society partnered with the Land O’Lakes Garden Club and the Township of North Frontenac to accomplish that task.

After congratulating members on their accomplishment Leverty stressed the importance that the OHS places on protecting the intrinsic historical, cultural and educational richness held in these often overlooked gems of history. Leverty spoke of many cases where individuals and groups are battling against encroaching development to protect small cemeteries across the province, and of the time and energy the OHS has put into helping the fight for their preservation.

He outlined the current legislation in place and reviewed Bill 149, a private member’s bill submitted by Jim Brownell, M.P.P. for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, called the Inactive Cemeteries Protection Act 2009, which proposed that no one could relocate an inactive cemetery. The bill received all party support at second reading in the house but died on the table when the government was last prorogued.

According to Leverty there are 5000 registered cemeteries in Ontario and 1500 unregistered. Likely there are countless others that remain unknown.

Leverty emphasized the importance of individuals banding together to fight for the preservation of the cemeteries in their communities, stating, “It’s people like you and groups like yourselves that are saving the history of this province.”

Since the demise of Bill 149 the OHS and other private historical societies in the province have been circulating petitions in support of Bill 149. The petitions are being presented to the provincial government in the hopes of seeing something done to preserve these historic gems. Leverty brought one with him and invited guests to sign it.

Leverty then highlighted the options open for those still hoping to protect their cemeteries and listed all of the options, which included applying for heritage recognition. Unfortunately such recognition can be overturned after just 180 days.

Another option is for individuals to put a conservation easement on their cemeteries, which will ensure its protection into eternity.

Preceding his talk society members gave Leverty a tour of the Cloyne Pioneer Cemetery.