Thornhill's namesake to be remembered with statue
Infrastructure funding will provide improvements to Thornhill library

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 7, 2015
Laura Finney  

The federal government is helping Thornhill remember its past.

Last Friday Thornhill MP Peter Kent announced that the Canadian Government will be providing just over $133,000 in funding through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for improvements to the Thornhill Community Centre and Library.

A major element of these improvements will include a statue of Thornhill’s namesake and earliest civil leader, Benjamin Thorne.

“A dynamic figure in pre-confederation Canada, Thorne was a banker, a miller, a church leader, militia officer and politician,” said Kent. “Although not the first to settle in the original village, Thorne’s powerful leadership gave our community its name.”

Kent made the announcement in front of a number of residents at the Thornhill Community Centre and Library, including a group of children who were part of the City of Markham’s day camps, and Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

“I don’t think there is a more fitting way to … celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary than to honour those who helped create this nation,” said Scarpitti.

Thornhill has changed a lot since Benjamin Thorne’s day, but it’s important to remember the past, the mayor added.

“As much as it changes, we also want to make sure that we remember the history and why we are all here — why this became such an important place.”

And that fits in with the city’s motto “Leading While Remembering,” he said.

He asked the young campers what they liked most about living in Thornhill. They responded that it was a fun place, there are a lot of things to do and it was friendly community.

“When I hear your answers, I’m really glad that we are building this statue to remember Benjamin Thorne,” said Scarpitti. “Because all of the things which you said you liked about Thornhill, was really what he set out to do.”

The July 31 announcement was one of many that were approved through the national program across Ontario, including one made recently about the renovation of Veteran’s Square in Markham.  (If you want to link online: http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/5747220-markham-s-war-memorial-getting-makeover/)

The aim is to give back to Canadians while creating a lasting legacy, as the country prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

According to the federal government, the program is expected to boost economic activity through infrastructure investments, build community based partnerships and modernize existing community facilities.

“This project will generate jobs during the design and construction phase and will provide essential community services for generations to come,” said Kent. “And, in the statue of Benjamin Thorne — a worthy legacy of the Canadian Sesquicentennial.”

The funding announcement came just days before Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an early election call.

But Kent, again running as the PC candidate in the riding of Thornhill, said the timeline of these project announcements are not related to the election.

“The timing is 2017, and it’s to be able to plan, design and actually erect the statues by 2017,” he said. “The election is a complication in that we had to put the bids out and assess the bids and make the announcements before, otherwise we would lose virtually half a year.”