Mystery Solved - Celebration Marking 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy
to Proceed

Heritage Toronto, Scotiabank and HMCS York present two plaques at Scotia Plaza, commemorating the first Toronto location of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve

TORONTO, Sept. 3 /CNW/ - Having solved the mysterious disappearance of Toronto's very first historic plaque, Heritage Toronto, Scotiabank, and HMCS York today presented the refurbished original and a new companion plaque at Scotia Plaza to honour the first location of the The Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) in Toronto. Joining Peter Ortved, Board Chair of Heritage Toronto were Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Commanding Officer of HMCS York, Commander Matthew Davies, Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Toronto Region, John Doig and Naval Reserve Historian, Commander (Ret'd) Fraser McKee. After marching on the colours, members of the Canadian Naval Reserve stood watch alongside veterans of the RCNVR as the plaques were unveiled to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Canadian Navy.

"Scotiabank is honoured to join Heritage Toronto and HMCS York in celebrating an important piece of Toronto's rich heritage and Canada's history," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Toronto Region.  "At Scotiabank, we believe in making a difference in the communities where we live and work - something volunteer naval reservists from communities across Canada have demonstrated for almost a century. We are immensely proud to display these plaques at the site of Scotia Plaza, and in so doing, help preserve the legacy of the men and women who have volunteered to serve Canada in the Canadian Navy."

In 1969, the Toronto Historical Board, the precursor to Heritage Toronto, unveiled its very first oval plaque to mark the first site of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in Toronto, now the location of Scotia Plaza. The plaque marked the first place in Toronto where citizens were recruited and trained by the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR).

When the former building on this site was demolished, the original plaque vanished for over two decades despite repeated attempts to locate this important piece of Toronto's history. In 2009, Commander Fraser McKee initiated a final attempt to recover the plaque to have it reinstalled on its original site 100 years after the founding of the Canadian Navy. The plaque was found where it had been all along - on a dusty shelf in the basement of the Stanley Barracks building at the Canadian National Exhibition. With the support of Scotiabank, it has been refurbished, and a new accompanying plaque has been created to expand upon the significance of the RCNVR.

During the Second World War, the RCNVR's 'citizen sailors' became the backbone of the Canadian Navy, which by the end of the war had grown to become the third largest amoung the allied forces. Here in Toronto, the RCNVR became one of the premiere naval recruiting depots in the British Commonwealth; 14183 men and women joined the Canadian Navy through its doors. Through the Korean War and into the present, reservists from Toronto have continued to serve their country. HMCS York, the organizational descendant of the Toronto Half Company of the RCNVR, has resided on the Lakeshore Boulevard near Coronation Park since 1947.

The historic plaques will be mounted for public display in the south forecourt of Scotia Plaza, located at 40 King Street West, in the heart of Toronto's financial core.

About Heritage Toronto - Heritage Toronto works with the citizens of Toronto to advocate for, preserve, and promote a greater appreciation for our city's rich heritage. Through partnerships with local community groups and volunteers, Heritage Toronto works to heighten awareness of our shared history by providing city-wide programs and services. Programs include free neighbourhood walking tours, the annual Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture, our downloadable iTours program, Building Storeys, our heritage photography exhibit, a heritage plaques and markers program and participation in Doors Open Toronto.

About Scotiabank - Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About HMCS YORK - York is one of twenty four Naval Reserve Divisions across Canada. The mission of the Naval Reserve is to generate sailors to support and sustain Canadian Forces operations both at home and abroad. York has over 225 members, many of whom serve their country while concurrently maintaining active civilian careers or full-time studies. Members volunteer for deployment and full-time job opportunities with the Canadian Forces. Since 1923, tens of thousands of YORKers have served across Canada and around the world in a variety of war- and peace-time roles, including, most recently in peace-keeping operations, support to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; and with the Canadian Forces missions in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Visit us at www.navy.forces.gc.ca/navres

For further information:

Rebecca Carson,
Communications Director
Heritage Toronto
416-338-1339
[email protected]

Deborah Clark
Scotiabank Public Affairs
Desk: 416-933-0646 Cell: 905-751-8183
[email protected]