The bylaw is in line with an October recommendation by the Ontario Conservation Review Board that the entire property should be protected as heritage land. The decision was made following a two-day hearing in September that explored the merits of a New Tecumseth plan to protect the property from development under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The town bylaw protects the property and buildings, and puts in place minimum maintenance standards for the owners.
“This is a wonderful step in the right direction, to know that the property is now protected and to know that the owner is now obligated to maintain it,” said Peter Banting.
Peter and Bob are descendants of Sir Frederick, the co-discoverer of insulin. They joined about 30 people in council chambers for the bylaw, showing the commitment the local community has had for the endeavour from the start.
“We’re just so proud of the town and the way they stuck with it because it’s been a bumpy road,” said Bob Banting.
The Banting Homestead was bequeathed by Edward Banting to the Ontario Historical Society in 1999. As the OHS isn’t in the practice of preserving land, the Ontario Historical Society Foundation was created to hold it. The foundation is also currently in the process of selling the property to the Solmar Development Corporation, a deal that hasn’t been finalized.
At the September hearing Solmar proposed protecting 4.7 acres of land surrounding the existing building and developing the remaining farm fields.
Before the Solmar deal with the OHSF, the town was looking to purchase the property. That ended when council heard the property had supposedly been sold to Solmar for $2 million, double what the town had put on the table.
With the unanimous passing of the bylaw, Mayor Mike MacEachern said it’s an important step to ensure the “community can always look to the Banting farm as a place where the history of Frederick Banting began.”
“But it is only the beginning of finally ensuring that the property is restored and is a fitting tribute to Dr. Banting’s legacy,” said MacEachern.
Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson has also been a vocal supporter of preserving the Banting homestead. The Ontario Conservation Review Board recommendation has fuelled his desire to have the homestead protected.
Newly elected Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll has received the Minister of Culture portfolio in the Liberal caucus and Wilson has called for her support to reintroduce and immediately pass the Frederick Banting Homestead Preservation Act.
Guy Lepage, a Ministry of Culture media relations officer, said the provincial government’s hand in the proceedings was providing the municipality with the tools it needed to designate the property under the Ontario Heritage Act.
“As far as the ministry as well as the minister is concerned, this property is protected so there is no need for an order in council or a private members bill,” said Lepage.
Wilson said since the province currently gives the OHS over $200,000 a year, the government should be able to pressure the society into doing what is ‘right’.
“If I was minister (of culture), I would have used that money to threaten them to do the right thing,” said Wilson. “They are trying to make over $2 million profit, and that is just immoral.”
With the property protected, the Banting family is unsure what the future holds for the homestead, though they have a few ideas, including its use as a diabetes camp for children. Bob Banting said the property was bequeathed to the OHS with the intention of giving something back to the community and that is what he’d like to see.
Tonight there will be a candlelight vigil at the homestead at 6 p.m. in honour of United Nations World Diabetes Day. The Alliston Lions Club is asking people to arrive before 6 p.m. and to bring a candle or flashlight for the vigil.
