BRANTFORD - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust unveiled a marker commemorating the gravesite of the Honourable Arthur Sturgis Hardy, premier of Ontario from 1896 to 1899.

"Arthur Sturgis Hardy was a dynamic and intelligent leader who dedicated much of his life to the province of Ontario," said the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "The commemoration of his gravesite will serve as a reminder of his many valuable contributions."

Born in Mount Pleasant in 1837, Hardy studied law in Brantford, and began his own practice in 1865. He quickly gained a reputation as a brilliant and skilled lawyer. First elected to the provincial legislature in 1873, Hardy became Commissioner of Crown Lands in 1889. In this position, he drafted legislation that established Algonquin Provincial Park. Hardy became the fourth premier of Ontario from 1896 to 1899, during which the province's statutes were extensively consolidated. He died in Toronto in 1901.

"Arthur Sturgis Hardy played an important role in shaping the province's political landscape over his long and distinguished career," said Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll. "We are proud to honour his many years of service with this gravesite marker."

The Premiers' Gravesites Program honours Ontario's former premiers and their service to Ontario by marking their gravesites. Specially designed bronze markers inscribed with the individual premier's name and dates of service will be installed at each gravesite, along with flagpoles flying the Ontario flag, where possible.

This program is administered by the Ontario Heritage Trust with funding support from the Government of Ontario. The Trust is an agency of the government, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

Quick facts

• Eighteen premiers will be commemorated through the Premiers' Gravesites Program.
• To date, this is the fourth marker to be unveiled through the program. Markers commemorating the gravesites of the Honourable John Sandfield Macdonald, the Honourable Harry Corwin Nixon and the Honourable Edward Blake were unveiled in late 2008 and early 2009.

Learn more

For more information on the Premiers' Gravesites Program, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

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Contact

Liane Nowosielski
Assistant Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: 416-325-5032
Email: liane.nowosielski@heritagetrust.on.ca