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Save Banting homestead: Wilson

BY By Janis Ramsay November 20, 2006 14:11

The future of the Banting Homestead will be up for debate next week, after Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson secured a date for a second reading in the Legislature.

Wilson is trying to save the homestead of Sir Frederick Banting, and introduced legislation to protect the entire 100-acre farm from development.

It will be up for second reading in the Ontario Legislature on Thurs., Nov. 17.

If passed, the new Frederick Banting Homestead Preservation Act would restrict anyone from altering or demolishing any building on the property.

“It also restricts the use of the property as an educational and interpretive centre, such as a camp for diabetic youth,” said Wilson.

The bill also allows the land to be used for agricultural purposes or other uses allowed by the Minister of Culture, and it must be run on not-for-profit basis.

Edward Banting, the last family member to live on the property, bequeathed the land to the Ontario Historical Society with the understanding it would be preserved and maintained.

“The homestead is where Banting did some of his earliest experiments that later led to his groundbreaking discovery of insulin.”

Wilson said the historic landmark has fallen into disrepair and negotiations between the society, province, Town of New Tecumseth and Sir Frederick Banting Educational Committee have stalled.

Wilson, a Conservative, said the McGuinty government continues to show little interest in preserving the property.

“We should all be paying close attention to see how each member votes on this bill.“

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