TORONTO – The Ontario government is being irresponsible in just shutting the doors at Upper Canada Village and walking away for the winter, according to Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

False economies are endangering the site and many of its irreplacable historic artifacts, Casselman said.

"This is not somebody’s private cottage that isn’t being closed up properly for winter. This is a property owned by the taxpayers of Ontario. The government has an obligation to see that it is cared for and preserved for the future.

"This year, however, the Village’s commissioners have ordered the doors locked and laid off staff before the basic winter maintenance has even been started. This is completely irresponsible. Water and mice will get into the buildings and do their damage. Fields and gardens won’t be ready for planting in the spring. Things normally prepared for winter will be left to the ravages of nature – and by definition the artifacts at Upper Canada Village are made of wood, fabric and iron – all of which are subject to rust, rot and decay," she said.

Staff who work at Upper Canada Village are planning to picket a meeting of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and senior managers.

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