On a side road running parallel to, and just north of , Highway 2
Commemoration
Born in Williamsburg and educated at the Cornwall Grammar School, Whitney was called to the Bar in 1876. He was elected to the legislative assembly as Conservative member for Dundas in 1888. A noted orator, he was leader of the opposition 1896-1905. In the latter year, the Liberal government headed by the Hon. G. W. Ross was defeated and Whitney became the sixth prime minister of Ontario. He held that post 1905-14 and his administration was noted for its introduction of extensive legislation relating to agriculture, labour, education and public utilities. Whitney received his knighthood in 1908.
Background
While the plaque refers to Whitney as Ontario’s “prime minister”, the more common term for the post of the head of the provincial government is “Premier”. He was a Conservative who rebuilt the party after many years of being out of power. His government created the Hydroelectric Power Commission of Ontario, the forerunner to Ontario Hydro. They passed temperance and workman’s compensation legislation. They also limited Regulation 17 which limited the teaching of French in Ontario’s schools. This led to controversies both in Ontario and federally before the First World War. He died in office in 1914.
Whitney looked both forward and backward in his contribution to the province. He advanced the foundation for industry and prosperity. He also resisted the change away from British culture with his stand against French in schools. His knighthood also harkened back to that British connection, still strong in his time.