Press Release

For Immediate Release October 6, 2008

Aurora Acknowledged as Canada’s Heritage Leader

(Queens Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees today made the following statement in the Legislature:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of all Members of the House to the prestigious Prince of Wales Prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership, won this year by my home Town of Aurora.

“This award is bestowed on a Canadian municipality that has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to the conservation of its historic places through its exemplary stewardship.

“It has been said that the history of Canada is reflected in the history of Aurora. It was in Aurora that the French missionaries Brebeuf and Chaumonot conducted the first church services in York Region and where our Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe admired greatly the magnificence of the area as he and his men worked to develop its early settlement.

“It was in Aurora that the Queen’s York Rangers, “A” regiment, laid down permanent roots at the Aurora Drill Shed and where Edward Blake’s famous Aurora Speech was delivered during the early years of Canada’s statehood. To celebrate Aurora’s history and contemporary heritage is to truly enter into the very best of Canadian heritage and culture.

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the residents and businesses of the Town of Aurora on achieving this singular honour and wish them continued success in maintaining our town’s national standard as a leader in Canadian heritage preservation.”

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References:

Frank Klees, MPP

Newmarket-Aurora

416 509 8999