Campaign gathers support

June 2, 2009

The campaign to preserve the historic integrity of Upper Canada Village gathers mounting support. A Public Meeting hosted by the Cornwall Museum, and concerned historical societies will be held June 2 in Cornwall, to address the proposed changes at UCV.

Initially, 39 interpreters were told they wouldn’t be hired back due to “financial constraints.” A number of the interpreters ended up gaining positions for the season, due to a successful union grievance, although at a lower wage rate.

What is of note is that the Ontario government has given $13 million to the parks commission to boost the tourism appeal of Upper Canada Village. Yet 23 interpreters and park staff have not been called back to work.

OPSEU recently hosted a successful tour of UCV, attended by an area mayor, local media and several prominent members of local historical societies. “The people on our tour were horrified at the changes to Upper Canada Village,” said tour leader Julian Pietersma. “They were shocked to see heritage buildings closed and tourists banging at the doors, hoping to get in. In past seasons, we would have seen interpreters in every building. During our tour, we only saw three interpreters on the site and tourists so confused by the layout that those of us on tour had to point them in the right direction.”

The union’s message about the importance of preserving decent jobs and the historic integrity of Upper Canada Village has been well-received to date with many concerned citizens writing into the editors of local newspapers to express their indignation with respect to the changes at UCV.

A petition, with hundreds of signatures opposing the changes at Upper Canada Village will be presented to the legislature this week by NDP Tourism Critic, Paul Miller.

Respect our Past. If we don’t value our past, we have no future.