This letter is a response to the news of funding to commemorate the Montreal site of the Parliament of United Canada, created in 1844

The first few paragraphs of this article could apply equally to the site of the first Parliament buildings in Upper Canada, which lies similarly ignored at the corner of Parliament and Front streets in downtown Toronto.

Burned down during the War of 1812 by American forces, these buildings - commissioned by Upper Canada's first Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe - were the birthplace of many important pieces of early legislation. It is disappointing to consider that tourists visiting the city during the Bicentennial of that conflict are likely to see only a ragtag collection of automobile related businesses, rather than a site which honours its past.

In Toronto, an archaeological dig was carried out back in 2000 to much excitement, and a resulting commitment by the Province to take it into public ownership. Ten years later, despite much public lobbying, the heritage community is still waiting for the site to be put to a more appropriate use and suitably commemorated.

Quebec and the City of Montreal have apparently provided $22 million to expand Pointe-à-Callière and undertake the archaeological work. It would be good to see our governments here provide the same kind of support and commitment to a site which can be said to be of equal significance.

Peter Ortved
Board Chair, Heritage Toronto