Plans for former Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia begin to take shape

OPP met with survivors of the former Huronia Regional Centre to talk big changes...including the possible demolition of the site's building.

Survivors and members of ‘Remember Every Name’ met with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Wednesday to discuss the future of the Huronia Regional Centre (HRC).

The meeting was initiated by OPP to provide information on the plans and gives survivors a voice - ultimately honouring and respecting the HRC’s history.

Some members shared ideas regarding the use of the land, including a possible memorial museum. Survivors and members of ‘Remember Every Name’ left the meeting with mixed emotions.

“They’re telling us what they want us to hear, not what we want to hear,” said Brian Logie, an HRC survivor. “I’m not getting any younger to see the building taken down.”

Debbie Vernon, communication coordinator for ‘Remember Every Name’, said she was nervous about the meeting but was satisfied with the proposal from the OPP.

“We were thrilled to hear that all of the buildings will be demolished,” said Vernon. “There are 49 buildings, and it’ll be happening in two phases.”

The first phase will include all vacant buildings, while the second phase will see the demolition of buildings currently occupied.

Vernon added the main building from the HRC is in the second phase, whereas survivors would like to see it demolished as soon as possible.

“That main building is the first building that survivors entered when they were children. And that’s where they were admitted into this hellhole,” said Vernon. “And they (survivors) want that memory to be erased; they want it erased from the earth, and they also want it to be smudged and blessed because there was so much evil that happened in that building.”

Survivors added that the building still impacts them to this day.

“It’s in my head when I fall asleep at night, or when somebody mentions this on the news and it all comes back to me again. I don’t know how to stop it,” said Logie.

According to Vernon, there were talks between the parties about a memorial museum being built on the property, with members and survivors indicating the museum can’t be built by the OPP.

“The survivors have to be part of the design and the concept, and it has to be a respectful exercise,” said Vernon. “And it will contain information about the history but also about the future and how we can support people better.”

Jim Dolmage, a litigation guardian said the meeting went well. “They were respectful. They listened to survivors’ stories and really did seem to hear and understand,” said Dolmage.

The OPP met with CTV News late Thursday afternoon and said this was the first meeting between the two parties.

“It was an opportunity for meaningful introductions and engagement while seeking their input and perspective on how to honor and respect the city’s history,” said Jeffrey Del Guidice, provincial media manager with the OPP. “We see this meeting as a positive first step that sets the stage for continued input from an open dialog with its residents, survivors, and stakeholders.

With hopes of survivors and members of ‘Remember Every Name’ potentially having access to buildings to designate items for a potential museum.

“They indicated that it could happen quite quickly that survivors and their supporters are allowed to go into the buildings as they stand and designate certain items as important artifacts in the history of the institution,” said Dolmage.

Saying that the meeting was a step forward in the healing process.

“We’ve sat since a meeting in 2016 where things were promised but never happened and have not had any meetings or any significant communication with the government since then,” said Dolmage. “So, this announcement that the buildings are coming down and we’re listening to survivors is really big.”

With Vernon adding, time will tell if the meeting was successful.

“I think we started off on a good foot, but the proof will be in the pudding,” said Vernon. “We’re not certain if they’re being forthright with the information and if we will get what we asked for, but I think we’ll have a better indication in a month or so.”

The OPP has said a follow-up meeting will be organized when the government is in a better position to provide more information on the next steps.

“The OPP recognizes that many buildings and properties at the site carry historical significance for the community members,” said Del Guidice. “While we are still in very early stages of planning, the OPP is committed to keeping these important discussions going.”