The Minister of Environment and Climate Change says a plan is in the works to clean and repair Alexander Mackenzie's gravesite in Sarnia's Lakeview Cemetery.
Catherine McKenna has responded to a letter sent by Sarnia's mayor in March, in which Mike Bradley described the "sad condition" of the gravesite of Canada's second prime minister.
"I think it's important that the minister recognized it's not just the Alexander Mackenzie gravesite in Sarnia, but ones across this country where prime ministers are buried that need to be properly maintained," says Bradley. "Now the minister knows and that department is responsible and have been for quite some time. The public is watching and expect at the very least they show dignity to those sites -- particularly in Canada's 150th year."
McKenna says the Mackenzie gravesite was inspected last November and found to be in fair condition.
She says high-priority work identified for the site includes replacing the missing Father of Confederation plaque, cleaning and repairing stone work, as well as 3D scanning of the stone inscriptions -- which are fading with time.
What's described as medium and long-term work includes the monitoring of stone erosion and mortar, minor landscaping and the retouching of paint.
Once the inspection reports are finalized, McKenna says recommendations will be reviewed to determine how and when the work identified will be addressed.
