Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Historical Association release report on state of heritage in Toronto - David Crombie will host press conference to launch "Heritage Voices" on February 10th 

January 27, 2011 – On February 10th, 2011, Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Historical Association will introduce "Heritage Voices", a report on the perspectives of Toronto's heritage community on the state of heritage in 2011. 

The report will be launched for the first time on Thursday, February 10th at 10:30am at the Great Hall, the 3rd floor of St. Lawrence Hall at 157 King Street East (at Jarvis). Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie will host the press conference. In the spring of 2010, Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Historical Association held a series of consultation sessions to determine the significant issues facing heritage preservation and the heritage community in Toronto. Consultations were held in Scarborough, Etobicoke/York, North York, downtown Toronto, as well as one city-wide consultation held at Metro Hall. Representatives from historical associations, museums, resident groups and First Nations communities were invited to attend. The public was also invited to provide input through Heritage Toronto's website.

Heritage Toronto - Talbot Apartments, saved by the OMB

This report provides a summary of the consultations, highlights the major themes and recommendations that arose from these discussions, and provides comment on the improvements or similarities with the recommendations made by Heritage Toronto in its 2001 "Report Card on Heritage". Themes reflected in the report deal with heritage resources at City Hall, legislation, political will, planning and the lack of a City of Toronto museum. The launch is open to the public and media, and limited hard copies of the report will be available at the press conference, and will also be available to download from our website - www.heritagetoronto.org. The report has been supported by the McLean Foundation and the Howard and Carole Tanenbaum Family Charitable Foundation. About Heritage Toronto - Heritage Toronto works with the citizens of Toronto to advocate for, preserve, and promote a greater appreciation for our city’s rich heritage. Through partnerships with local community groups and volunteers, Heritage Toronto works to heighten awareness of our shared history by providing city-wide programs and services. Programs include free neighbourhood walking tours, the annual Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture, our downloadable iTours program, Building Storeys, our heritage photography exhibit, a heritage plaques and markers program and participation in Doors Open Toronto. About the Toronto Historical Association: Founded in 1998, the Toronto Historical Association (THA) is an umbrella organization representing volunteer heritage organizations from across the City of Toronto, which actively participate in heritage preservation and public education programs about Toronto’s heritage. Prior to amalgamation volunteer heritage groups from the former cities met on an informal basis to exchange ideas and information and joined together annually for a Heritage Showcase exhibit. With the onset of the amalgamated City of Toronto, a number of the groups believed it would be important for them to become an official organization in order to present a co-ordinated voice for heritage volunteers to the City. Organized as a registered not-for-profit organization, THA is an affiliate of the Ontario Historical Society. The Association operates on a volunteer basis with a Board of Directors, drawn from among the Member organizations.

For more information:

Rebecca Carson [Communications Director Heritage Toronto] 416-338-1339 Cell - 416-700-9249