Demolition crews have begun dismantling the McGee apartments at the former Huronia Regional Centre (HRC) in Orillia, marking a significant step in the province’s multi-phase plan to clear the 175-acre site. Former residents, including Harold Dougall and Cindy Scott, are monitoring the project, which aims to remove structures associated with decades of systemic abuse and institutional harm.
Why is the HRC site being demolished?
The Government of Ontario is clearing the site to address the legacy of the institution, which operated for 133 years until 2009. According to Infrastructure Ontario, the property is being cleared in phases following provincial approval granted in June 2023. For survivors, the demolition serves as a physical erasure of the trauma they experienced within the walls of the facility. Mitchell Wilson, a researcher and advocate with the group Remember Every Name, notes that documenting the destruction is essential for maintaining an archive of the site’s history.
The HRC’s “McGee” building was specifically designed for residents with high support needs. Former staff members have historically described sections of the facility, such as the “bullpen,” where residents were allegedly left in inhumane conditions.
What is the current status of the demolition?
Work is currently focused on the McGee apartments, the largest single structure on the property. Bird Construction, the contractor overseeing the project, estimates that the teardown of this specific building will require an additional two to three weeks due to the labour-intensive nature of removing basements and 11 interconnected tunnels. Previous phases already saw the removal of the old infirmary, the multi-sensory house, and several service buildings, according to reports from OrilliaMatters.
How does this project compare to past institutional closures?
The HRC demolition follows a 2013 class-action settlement that saw the Ontario government pay $35 million to survivors. This settlement reached a maximum individual payout of $42,000 for those who proved the most severe abuse. While the government provided a formal apology through then-premier Kathleen Wynne, the ongoing demolition represents a shift from legal resolution to physical site remediation. Unlike other institutional closures that repurposed existing architecture, the HRC site is being systematically levelled to make way for new developments, including a police academy for the Ontario Provincial Police.
If you are researching the history of the Huronia Regional Centre, the 2022 documentary Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children, available on CBC Gem, provides primary source accounts and expert context regarding the facility’s operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is overseeing the demolition of the HRC?
Infrastructure Ontario owns the property and is managing the demolition process in coordination with the Ontario Provincial Police, who utilize parts of the site for training purposes.
Can survivors visit the site?
Yes. According to reports, representatives from Bird Construction have facilitated site tours for former residents like Harold Dougall and Cindy Scott to witness the demolition process firsthand.
What happens to the site after the buildings are gone?
The Ontario government has approved the demolition to clear the land for future use, including the expansion and operation of the Ontario Provincial Police academy.
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