As you may know, the Marian Shrine of Gratitude, located in our community at 3100 Weston Rd (at Sheppard) is a culturally and religiously significant site for thousands of residents across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond seeking a place to pray, meditate and peacefully gather.
Many in our community were distraught at the news of the Shrine’s closure, and have been hoping for it to be protected, preserved and remain accessible as it has been for many years.
On September 6, 2023 City Council passed a motion introduced by City of Toronto Councillor, Anthony Perruzza that requests the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to evaluate the property at 3100 Weston Rd for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and report to the Toronto Preservation Board and the Planning and Housing Committee. Click here to watch the video.
In August, on behalf of the community, I wrote to the Government with an urgent plea to investigate the possibility of conducting a heritage study on the site of the Marian Shrine of Gratitude. We have not received a response yet but it is my hope that the Government will quickly address this issue and work collaboratively to provide an urgent solution. Click here to watch my statement in the legislature.
You can read my full letter here.
On October 10, 2023 the Toronto Preservation Board met and I spoke to the Board as well as submitted a letter which you can read here.
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario only accepts original hand-signed petitions. Digital petitions are not accepted.
To add your voice to this important issue, please print, fill out and return this petition to my office: Save_Our_Marian_Shrine_Petition.pdf (nationbuilder.com)
You can read my full letter to the Minister (August 2023) here.
Listen to a short radio interview on AM740 here.
I will continue to keep you updated on developments as they continue to unfold. Be sure to sign up for my e-newsletter by clicking here or sending an email to [email protected] and letting me know.
