OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor. This letter, an open letter to Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop from the Survivors of HRC, is in reference to the article published March 26, titled, 'Former HRC residents want buildings torn down.' Send your letters to [email protected].
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Shock, dismay and anger are just a few of the reactions from the Huronia Regional Centre survivors, after they learned about your recent comments to OrilliaMatters (in a Jan. 2020 article).
In that article, MPP Jill Dunlop says “the province is working with the city and Infrastructure Ontario” on future plans. It reports that the province has a goal to create 15,000 new long-term-care beds, of which more than 7,000 have been announced so far and you said: “sites like the HRC are great opportunities for housing and long-term care in this area."
(In a subsequent article published March 26, Dunlop said the concerns former residents shared with her will be taken into consideration during any talks about future use of the site).
Survivors are re-traumatized by this news and shocked to learn that you support a plan for elderly and disabled people to once again live at Huronia Regional Centre. They are feeling betrayed especially when they have shared their stories with you describing how HRC is the place that haunts them and where their nightmares live.
After a four-year investigation, the Ontario Ombudsman’s 2016 Nowhere to Turn report called long-term care a “wholly unsuitable… short sighted solution” for people with developmental disabilities. The Ombudsman documented some horrifying examples of the problems this creates and made many strong recommendations for the Ministry of Community and Social Services to prevent this.
However, a 2019 study showed that people with developmental disabilities in Ontario are 17.5 times more likely to end up in long-term institutions intended for the elderly.
Here is what a few of the survivors want you to know:
Cindy Scott
“No way they should move anybody into the HRC. It is ridiculous and awful for the government and the city to consider this. This is not what we wanted having people living there. HRC should be torn down because it brings back bad memories of when we were abused there.”
Harold Dougall
“I want the place torn down. Every time I go by there it gives me cold chills. The government is going behind our backs and we are not involved with discussions about the future use. It makes me mad to hear they want to use it as a nursing home. The government is not listening to us and history is about to repeat itself.”
Bev Link
“There’s too many bad memories there after all we went through and we saw a lot. It was pretty bad and I don’t want people living there. Why don’t you just blow the place up!”
Carrieanne Tomkins
“I am very angry and I don’t wish it to be re- opened where it could be possible for people to be abused like we were. There are too many nightmares. It’s hurting me inside to think elderly people will be living there. We want it torn down. Bad memories remain open for as long as the buildings are there as a reminder of when I was in there, where we all suffered and people died. The government wants to keep the nightmare going making it harder for us to mend.”
Betty Ann Bond
“This is totally unacceptable! People who were admitted to HRC when they were children will end up back there as they age. This is not good news at all!
No one is listening to survivors or learning from the mistakes from the past! What happened or hasn't happened we are not involved nor have had any say of what we want to happen to that place. I don't care that the government paid $5 million on the roof! That was a give away that something was going to take place there. We are not stupid!
You said at the unveiling of the Memorial this should never happen again but it is and I hope you can live with yourself. The government is all about the money and buildings sitting empty. Do the right thing and tear it down!
If they can destroy the Jeffrey Dahmer home where murders took place in and Russell Williams home in Tweed, then why in the hell can't they destroy HRC where people were abused and murdered?
Tear it down completely then do what you want but do not use any part of any building including the OPP should remain. Give respect to us. Don't belittle us as we have suffered long and hard! We are trying to rebuild our lives in the communities that care.”
Marie Slark- Lead Plaintiff in the HRC class action lawsuit
“If you’re going to open HRC again, take the old buildings down first. There are too many bad memories and by leaving them standing there’s more harm than good being done. Use it for recreational purposes and build a resort and marina for a tourist area. Build something new so it will take away bad memories so we can get on with our lives.”
On March 30, 2017 Infrastructure Ontario hosted a Public Meeting at the Orillia City Hall to hear feedback and ideas about the unused land at the HRC which survivors presented their statements. A report was prepared for Infrastructure Ontario.
That report recommended;
The land use should be respectful and honour the people who experienced the Huronia Regional Centre and all of Ontario’s institutions; it should recognize the mistakes of the past.
If there is any profit to be made from the land, former residents and victims of abuse and neglect should be the ones who benefit.
Former residents and advocates have expressed a desire that the buildings of the former Huronia Regional Centre should be demolished and replaced with a memorial for those who lost their lives there. The presence of the buildings acts as a reminder to former residents of the suffering they endured.
There is concern that the buildings on the HRC lands are in a state of disrepair, posing health and safety concerns for users (e.g. structurally unsound, mould exposure).
Former residents of the Huronia Regional Centre believe that they should have the strongest voice in how the land should be used. They must be engaged in a way that is meaningful. Former residents currently feel that their voices are not being heard.
Suggestion that a panel of former residents make recommendations on suggested land uses based on the engagement process, to ensure the voices of former residents are heard.
At that time, survivors and allies objected strongly to the Huronia Cultural Campus group's plans to take over the HRC property. Survivors are even more opposed to any plan to re-institutionalize people at HRC.
On August 24, 2019 you attended a dedication ceremony organized by HRC survivors and their allies in Remember Every Name, where the survivors’ memorial monument was unveiled at the HRC Cemetery.
You said “We cannot begin to understand the effect of these buildings have had on those who have spent time here. This dedication ceremony is a reminder to recognize those who carry the life experience of the horrors that took place and to celebrate the courage as they move forward.
"We acknowledge the atrocities’ they faced in reflecting on the past and the injustices it held. We are reminded of the progress of our community, our province and our society as a whole. It is truly a privilege to speak before you today as for many years your voices were silenced. It is our responsibility of those for compassion and hindsight to support survivors in reclaiming their dignity. Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on this history as we commit to a brighter future together.”
Now survivors and allies question both your commitment and your integrity. Your words and your government’s secret plans fail to acknowledge the atrocities, lack compassion and undermine dignity.
Institutionalizing people again at HRC certainly is not a “brighter future,” and we ask that such plans be stopped immediately. The voices of survivors can no longer be silenced.
- Debbie Vernon
Remember Every Name, Communication Coordinator
