Sir James Pliny Whitney honoured through Premiers' Gravesites Program

MORRISBURG, ON, March 25 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust unveiled a marker commemorating the gravesite of the Honourable Sir James Pliny Whitney, Premier of Ontario from 1905 to 1914.

"Sir James Pliny Whitney was a respected politician and leader who guided this province through a period of tremendous growth and prosperity," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "This commemoration will serve as a reminder of his significant contributions."

Born in Dundas County in 1843, Whitney was the sixth premier of Ontario. He studied law under the first premier of Ontario, John Sandfield Macdonald. Whitney first won public office in 1888 in the riding of Dundas, and would hold the seat until his death. A respected orator and strong opposition leader, he successfully won the premiership in 1905. Under his tenure, public utilities were further developed and growth in Northern Ontario was encouraged. He died in Toronto on September 25, 1914 and was buried in Trinity Anglican Cemetery near Morrisburg. Both the Whitney monument and Holy Trinity Anglican Church were moved to their present location in the 1950s to allow for construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

"Ontario saw considerable social, cultural and economic development during Sir James Pliny Whitney's premiership," said Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan. "We are proud to honour him with this marker."

The Premiers' Gravesites Program honours Ontario's former premiers and their service to Ontario by marking their gravesites. Specially designed bronze markers inscribed with the individual premier's name and dates of service will be installed at each gravesite, along with flagpoles flying the Ontario flag, where possible.

This program is administered by the Ontario Heritage Trust with funding support from the Government of Ontario. The Trust is an agency of the government dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

Quick Facts:

    
    -  Eighteen premiers will be commemorated through the Premiers'
       Gravesites Program.
    -  This is the 10th marker to be unveiled through the program since it
       began in late 2008.
    

Learn More:

For more information on the Premiers' Gravesites Program, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

Aussi disponible en français

For further information: Liane Nowosielski, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Ontario Heritage Trust, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]