EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the first Monday in August in each year as Simcoe Day.

Bill 150 2017

An Act to proclaim Simcoe Day

Preamble

John Graves Simcoe was the first Lieutenant Governor of the province now known as Ontario. He was also a member of the British Parliament, a colonial administrator, an army officer and a commander of the Queen's Rangers during the Revolutionary War.

On September 12, 1791, Simcoe was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the newly created Upper Canada. With his appointment, Simcoe had a goal to develop Upper Canada as a model community with aristocratic and conservative principles, and to demonstrate the superiority of these ideas in contrast to the Republicanism of the United States. He presided over the first elected Parliament of Upper Canada.

Among Simcoe's multitude of accomplishments was the installation of English common law, trial by jury, the standardization of weights and measures, the establishment of Yonge Street and the creation of Ontario's system of municipal government. He abolished the importation of slaves to Upper Canada.

His wife, Lady Simcoe, also made significant contributions to history with her sketches of colonial life in Upper Canada.

Although Simcoe laid the foundation for Ontario, many residents know little about the man. The City of Toronto recognizes Simcoe by naming the first Monday in August Simcoe Day. This Act would extend this recognition across the province by requiring any civic holiday on the first Monday of August to be named Simcoe Day.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Simcoe Day

1 The first Monday in August in each year is proclaimed as Simcoe Day.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Simcoe Day Act, 2017.