As proud Canadians we should petition the Minister of Heritage

Honouring Forgotten Canadians

On my walks through various cemeteries, I have discovered several gravesites of prominent Canadians that have fallen into neglect and become nearly unrecognizable over the years.

In many cases, descendants may no longer be living, or cemeteries simply lack the funds and personnel to maintain these important gravesites. Among those I’ve found are the resting places of Clara Brett Martin, Canada’s first female lawyer; landscape artist Paul Kane; Thomas Ryan, founder of five-pin bowling; and John J. McLaughlin, pharmacist and founder of Canada Dry. These and many more monuments can now be identified only by lot numbers, as the lettering has eroded beyond recognition.

As Canadians, should we not consider honouring their contributions by using public funding to refurbish their monuments and install commemorative plaques near or on their graves? Such efforts could serve as meaningful teaching tools for future generations—reminding us of those who helped shape our nation’s history.

What a wonderful way to attract the public to visit cemeteries, while bringing students and communities together to celebrate Canada’s heritage.