Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery
About 100 people attended a memorial service to remember Canadian veterans and unidentified Indigenous people buried at the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery.
The service took place weeks before Remembrance Day, on November 11, to pay tribute to the thousands of Canadian soldiers who died protecting our country.
Local politicians were among the many attending the October 22 service at the Evans and Horner Avenues cemetery.
Service attendees paying tribute to veterans and Indigenous people.
“The cemetery holds historical significance as a resting place for individuals who were once patients at the hospital including 24 WW1 veterans and more than 12 Indigenous person,” said event organizer Hark Savinsky.
Those being honoured were at one time patients of the hospital who were buried at the cemetery.
Many or the Indigenous people were unidentified and buried in unmarked graves.
“Sadly, over time, this cemetery has become neglected and lacks proper maintenance,” Savinsky said.
He and his group have launched an online petition, now signed by more than 330 people, to plant trees at the site.
“By allowing the planting of donated trees within its premises, we can transform this forgotten space into a beautiful memorial park that honors both nature and history,” he said.
Those attending the service on a blustery day included Indigenous and faith leaders, MP James Maloney, MPP Christine Hogarth, Ward 3 Councillor Amber Morley and Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw.
Some attendees were provided printed lists of the 1,511 people buried at the cemetery.
“By allowing tree planting at the cemetery without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles, we can make a positive impact on Toronto’s overall green infrastructure,” Savinsky said.
He said the trees will help restore biodiversity within our city, but ‘will also provide a serene and peaceful environment for visitors to reflect upon the past.’
Among those attending were; a senior who wanted to locate her grandfather’s grave, a paraplegic veteran, five LGBTQ refugees from Uganda, a woman whose brother suffered a drug overdose, a senior who had been hospitalized 27 times and several whose ancestors fought in WWI.