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People and organizations
Agricultural Research Wives
Corporate body

The Agricultural Research Wives was a volunteer organization created in 1964 to promote fellowship among the wives of employees of the Research Branch of the Federal Department of Agriculture. The organization was disbanded in 1982.

Corporate body

The Agricultural Society of the County of Addington was formed on February 5, 1853 in Mill Creek, Ontario, and sponsored yearly agricultural exhibitions where competitions were held in a number of agricultural and related activities.

Corporate body

The formal beginning of the Agudath Achim or the United Hebrew Brethern Congregation was on Rideau Street at number 417 in 1902. The founding trustees of Abraham Kert, trader and traveller, Moses Rudman (Roodman) peddler, Myer Held, peddler, Elias Pullan, merchant, Issac Noe, carpenter, Michael Adelman, peddler, Moses Merson, upholsterer committed the congregation to a $3000 mortgage for the purchase and conversion of a building at 417 Rideau Street. The cornerstone for a new synagogue at 417 Rideau was laid on July 1st, l912. On January 19, 1913 a new synagogue, designed by Burgess & Coyle with a seating capacity for 400, was opened. The Building Committee consisted of Israel Sugarman, Chairman, Henry Finkelstein, President, 1912, Araham L. Florence, President, l913 and Kastrel Cohen, Secretary. The synagogue was extended in 1928. In 1955-1956, Congregation Agudath Achim amalgamated with Congregation Adath Jeshurun to form Congregation Beth Shalom, and their new synagogue was dedicated in 1957. Rabbi Joseph D. Berger served the Congregation from 1902 to 1927. When the Congregation joined the Associated Synagogues of Ottawa the shared Rabbis were Abraham H. Freedman, William Margolis, Oscar Z. Fasman, Emanuel Lifschutz and Simon L. Eckstein. Religious functionaries included Rev. Louis Doctor, Cantor Jacob Dorskind, Rabbi Max Maser, Rabbi Aaron Weiss, Rev. Hyman Gertler, and Rev. Jacob Y. Cement.

Corporate body

In September 1932 about 16 families headed by Mr. J. Taller united to form a minyan (quorum) for the High Holidays in the West End. In April 1936 the group organized itself into a permanent Congregation which was chartered under the name Agudath Israel in 1938. The first president was Harry Leikin, and other founding officers included Alexander Kelman, Morris Goldberg and Norman Kalin. In March 1938 at a cost of $3000 the Anglican Church at 17 Fairmont Avenue was purchased as a sanctuary. The next congregation move was to 30 Rosemount. In 1947 Hon. Abraham Lieff became President of the Congregation and early in his seventeen year tenure as President, the Congregation moved from orthodox to conservative. On March 11, l951, the Congregation became affiliated with the United Synagogue of America. In 1954, 8 acres of land bounded by Kirkwood, Coldrey, and Laperriere was purchased, with construction of the new Synagogue beginning in 1958. The new Synagogue at 1400 Coldrey Ave. was opened in 1960. Until 1949, community rabbis were shared. Rabbi Fasman officiated at the opening of 17 Fairmount and Rabbi Kravetz conducted High Holidays in the early 1940s. In 1948, Rabbi Morris D. Margolis was engaged as the first spiritual leader of the Congregation, followed by Rabbis Samuel Burstein, 1951-1959, Kurtz, (1959-1961), J. Benjamin Friedberg, 1961-1974, Roy Tanenbaum, 1974-1976, Irving Schreier, 1976-1982, Arnold Fine since l982. Cantor Aptowitzer served the congregation from 1952 to 1994, followed by Samuel Linkofsky, and Stephen Chaiet. A gala celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the congregation was held on April 11, 1989 at 1400 Coldrey. An exhibition of photographs and an anniversary booklet entitled “50th Anniversary” was produced.

Ahern, Frances Robin
Person · 1904-2004

Frances Eleanor Ahern (nee Robin) was born in Toronto on May 14, 1904 to the late Jane Caroline (Reid) and Vavasor Robin. In 1928, Frances joined the staff at Appleby School (now College) as the administrative assistant to Headmaster John Guest as served in this role until his retirement in 1934. That same year, Frances married Appleby Old Boy Arthur “Curly” Henry Ahern (class of 1920). Together they had two children Margot and Nick (class of 1958). In 1953, Frances returned to Appleby College as the administrative assistant to Headmaster John Bell till 1958, and returned from 1961 to 1965.

Frances was a founding member and former director of the Oakville Historical Society where she held positions of treasurer and membership secretary. She was also an executive member of the Oakville Ladies Auxiliary.In 1981, Frances published Oakville A Small Town: 1990-1930 and authored the addendum to Oakville and The Sixteen by Hazel Mathews.

Frances died on March 18, 2004 at age 100.

Corporate body

Ahoghill Loyal Orange Lodge #230 was originally founded in 1838 with a new warrant being issued to North Dorchester, Ontario area in April, 1848. The lodge was moved to Crumlin (now a part of London, Ontario) on February 23, 1850 and was named Ahoghill after the Irish home-town of some of the founders. The lodge initially met in a brick lodge room erected just east of Crumlin; beginning in 1888, meetings were held in the Orange Hall at 866 Adelaide Street North in London, Ontario. The earliest known officers (1888) were: Bro. Samuel Clare – Worshipful Master Bro. Hans Walker – Deputy Master Bro. William Walker – Chaplain Bro. William Brett – Recording Secretary Bro. Robert Clare – Financial Secretary Bro. John Walker – Treasurer

Person · 1970-1985

Aidas was founded in 1970 under the administration of Jeronimas Pleinys and musical direction of soloist Vaclovas Verikaitis. The choir's first performance was held on March 1, 1970 in Hamilton and on March 14, 1970, the choir was named Aidas (Echo). About 50 singers between 14-20 years of age sang in the choir. Aidas performed in various cities throughout North America and South America and Europe and recorded three phonograph records . In 1970 until 1982, the choir was under the musical direction of Jonas Govedas; from 1982-1984 under the direction of Darija Deksnys-Powell and from 1982 until the choir disbanded in 1985 under the musical direction of Jonas Govedas.

AIDS Action Now!
Corporate body · 1988-

This administrative history does not encapsulate the work of AIDS ACTION NOW! in its entirety, but reflects some of the initiatives documented in the fonds, providing context to the records.

In 1987, a group of gay activists, health care professionals and former politicians were brought together by Michael Lynch to discuss the state of HIV/AIDS research, treatment and care. This group included Gary Kinsman, George Smith, Alan Dewar, James McPhee, Michael Hulton, Dennis Conway, Wayne Boone, Russell Armstrong, and Tim McCaskell.

At the time, the government had failed to establish standards of care, had not supported research, or provided access to newly available treatments. The Federal Conservative Health Minister Jake Epp had made multiple homophobic comments and was doing little to address HIV/AIDS. There was a sense that PLWHA were abandoned by the government due to homophobia. This failure to establish standards of care meant that HIV/AIDS patients received care that varied depending on the hospital or doctor they were dealing with. Some hospitals would conduct tests that others refused to, visitors were oftentimes turned away, and nurses and orderlies would refuse to treat patients.

In November 1987, Lynch published an article entitled “‘Silence= Death, US Gays Fighting Homophobic Policies - What About Us?” The article solidified the group’s position that the government’s homophobia was standing in the way of meaningful action on HIV/AIDS.

On February 4, 1988 the group organized its first public meeting at Jarvis Collegiate. Between 300 to 400 people were in attendance. This meeting led to the establishment of AIDS ACTION NOW! The Toronto based grassroots activist group was established to represent and fight for PLWHA. It sought to transform HIV infections into a chronic manageable illness by ensuring that research, health care and social service systems delivered optimal care. Four demands were put forward and included:
The immediate availability of aerosolized pentamidine to prevent pneumocystis pneumonia
Consensus conference on standards of care
Government action to make experimental treatments available
Adequate funding to make Canada a leader in AIDS research

AIDS ACTION NOW! has advocated for people living with HIV/AIDS through demonstrations, educational efforts, the development and submission of briefs, lobbying politicians, national press campaigns, and initiatives with partnering organizations.

On March 25, 1988, AAN! organized its first demonstration. At the time, pneumocystis pneumonia was the leading cause of death for people living with HIV/AIDS. Seemingly healthy people would die within weeks after being infected with PCP. In Canada, patients would be administered pentamidine intravenously once they got diagnosed with PCP. However, there was growing research coming out of the United States that demonstrated that weekly doses of aerosolized pentamidine administered to PLWHA could prevent or lower the rate of PCP infections. However, without Canadian trials, Health Canada would not provide approval for the aerosolized pentamidine, which prevented doctors from prescribing it to their patients. In February 1988, Health Canada approved the Fisons’ aerosolized pentamidine trial. This clinical trial would provide half of its participants with a placebo rather than the treatment. Given PCP’s high mortality rate, there was a high chance that some of the participants would die proving something that had already been demonstrated with the American trials. The March 25 demonstration was organized to protest this Fisons trial. The 500 demonstrators left the 519 Church Street Community Centre carrying empty coffins, and made their way to the Toronto General Hospital where the trial was being conducted. A few weeks later, Fisons made the announcement that they would establish a compassionate arm, which would provide treatment to those who did not meet the specifications of the trial.

As a response to Health Canada’s failure to approve of the aerosolized pentamidine, AAN! developed a guide and phone line that provided information on how to get a prescription for the treatment and where it could be purchased in the United States. The guide was distributed at doctors’ offices, AIDS Service Organizations and hospitals throughout Toronto. AAN! worked together with ACT and PWA to provide funding for those who could not afford the drug.

On May 18, 1988 the Canadian AIDS Society held its national conference in Ottawa. AAN! held a die in front of the conference and burned an effigy of Health Minister Jake Epp. This protest made national headlines. The following week, AAN! activists returned to Ottawa and held a press conference in front of Parliament Hill, where they consumed treatments that were not yet approved in Canada.

Lynch was hospitalized for PCP in 1988, and McCaskell took over the role of chairperson. On October 5, 1988, the first AIDS ACTION NOW! annual general meeting was held. McCaskell was elected as the chairperson and the first AAN! steering committee was established.

A federal election was scheduled for the fall of 1988. As a response to the Progressive Conservative’s government record on AIDS, AAN! ensured that Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was met with angry AIDS activists at all his Toronto campaign events. On October 22, a rally was organized to protest the government’s failure to permit the use of non-approved treatments through the Emergency Drug Release Program. AAN! activists burned an effigy of Mulroney and made national headlines. In January 1989, the new Minister of Health Perrin Beatty announced that requests for non-approved HIV/AIDS treatments could be submitted to the EDRP, which included aerosolized pentamidine. The Fisons aerosolized pentamidine trial was terminated with this announcement.

In the fall of 1988, AAN! called for anonymous HIV testing and the creation of a National Treatment Registry. AAN! developed briefs and met with Members of Parliament to advocate for the registry.

In February 1989, AAN! organized protests outside of the Don Jail calling for better access to care for PLWHA. The AAN! Prisons Subcommittee eventually led to the establishment of the Prisoners AIDS Support Network (PASAN) in 1991.

In the spring and summer of 1989, AAN! focused its attention on the upcoming Fifth International AIDS Conference that was being held in Montreal. These AIDS conferences were generally centered around the work of medical professionals, government bureaucrats, and pharmaceutical companies, not people living with HIV/AIDS. Leading up to the conference, AAN! received the floor plan of the convention centre with the help of Montreal City Councillor Raymond Blain. Over 300 activists from groups including ACT UP, AAN! and Réaction Sida stormed the event with signs and banners. Activists made their way up to the stage and McCaskell gave an impassioned speech criticizing the Mulroney government’s record on AIDS, called for anonymous testing and denounced the scapegoating of sex workers. An ACT UP spokesperson read the Montreal Manifesto - The Declaration of Universal Rights and Needs of People Living with HIV. The manifesto was an international bill of rights for PLWHA and was put together by the AIDS activist groups.

In April 1990, Health Minister Perrin Beatty announced that a National AIDS Strategy would be developed within the next 6 months. The National AIDS Strategy secured funding and coordination for research, prevention, education and services. This National AIDS Strategy would include a National Treatment Registry, meeting one of the demands made by AAN!

In 1990, AAN! launched the Treatment Information Exchange project (TIE). TIE was developed to improve access to treatment information for health care providers, AIDS organizations, PLWHA and medical researchers. In September 1989, AAN! received funding from the Trillium Foundation to cover the cost of printing and mailing, and to hire a coordinator for the project. In February 1991, TIE was incorporated as the Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) so that it could qualify for charitable status and government funding.

In 1990, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Richard Schabas proposed that Ontario Minister of Health reclassify AIDS virulent rather than communicable. Schabas suggested that anyone who was suspected of knowingly spreading the virus be quarantined. The AIDS reclassification would make this possible, as it would give health care officials the right to detain people. Schabas also believed that it was too risky to have sex with someone who was HIV positive even with a condom. As a response to Schabas’ claims and quarantine proposal, AAN!, ACT, Casey House, PWA Foundation organized a demonstration and press conference demanding for his resignation. Schabas’ quarantine plans were blocked.

In the fall of September 1990, the Ontario Liberal Party was defeated by the New Democratic Party. During the election campaign AAN! organized protests at the All Candidates Meeting at the 519 and the Women’s College Hospital. The group presented their proposal for an “Ontario AIDS and HIV Strategy'' to the government. Within a month of the election, the provincial government approved province wide anonymous HIV testing and representatives from AAN! were appointed to the new Provincial Advisory Committee on AIDS. However, there was no mention of HIV/AIDS in the throne speech and AAN! was unsuccessful in their attempts to schedule a meeting with the Health Minister. This election coincided with AAN!’s new focus on the high cost of drugs. While new treatments were emerging, the costs were inaccessible to a large portion of PLWHA. Private drug plans made the cost of drugs more accessible but not everyone worked for employers that provided drug insurance. Alternatively, the provincial drug benefits card covered the cost of medication for those over the age of 65 or for those on public assistance. Many PLWHA were faced with the choice of quitting their jobs to go on public assistance or continue to work while their health deteriorated. Drugs were free under public assistance, however public assistance was so low that it was difficult for PLWHA to afford housing, nutritious food and other essentials that were integral for those with weakened immune systems.

In January 1991, AAN! met with the Minister of Health Evelyn Gigantes, and presented her with a brief that discussed the variety of issues from high cost of drugs, poverty and the need for a provincial AIDS strategy that included a catastrophic drug plan.

In 1991, AAN! organized a demonstration protesting Canada’s involvement in the Gulf War, calling the government to redirect funding from the war to HIV/AIDS funding. The demonstration highlighted the link between racism, imperialism and government AIDS inaction.

On June 26, 1992 AAN! organized their first die-in at Lesbian and Gay Pride Day and demanded for increased AIDS funding. The following year, a second die-in was organized at the event with thousands of participants who protested the provincial government’s inaction on AIDS. In December 1993, AAN! held a demonstration that ended at the Ontario Minister of Health’s office demanding for a catastrophic drug plan.

In April 1994, AAN! interrupted the Ontario legislature by dumping bags of fake money on the politicians from the visitor’s gallery in protest of the NDP’s inaction. Activists also dressed up as statues at Queen’s Park and held signs calling for a drug plan. Shortly after, AAN! stormed the stage at the provincial NDP conference in Hamilton. On November 30, the government announced that a catastrophic drug plan would be implemented by April 1995. The Trillium Drug Program covered the cost of drugs if they surpassed a certain percentage of an individual’s income.

In April 1995, AAN! held a press conference to announce the release of the report card they had developed grading Canadian pharmaceutical companies on their AIDS research effort.

The National AIDS Strategy was set to expire in 1997. AAN! organized demonstrations, press conferences, and distributed 15,000 postcards urging the Federal Liberal Government to renew the strategy. They took out a full page advertisement in the Globe and Mail with the headline “Prime Minister Chrétien: Don’t Give Up on AIDS”. In April 1997, the government announced that they would renew the National AIDS Strategy.

In the spring of 1998, the Wellesley Hospital was slated to close. The Wellesley Hospital had been the centre for AIDS care in Toronto. All of its programs would be taken over by Saint Michael’s Hospital which had had a history of restrictive sexual health and HIV/AIDS services. AAN! and its community partners lobbied the Minister of Health to make Saint Michael’s a public hospital.

AIDS Committee of Toronto
Corporate body · 1983- present

The AIDS Committee of Toronto, a community-based AIDS activist organization and Ontario’s first AIDS service organization, was formally established July 12, 1983. Amid media hysteria, misinformation, homophobia and confusion, the Toronto-based groups, Gays in Health Care and the Hassle Free Clinic, organized a public forum on April 5, 1983 to discuss AIDS and Hepatitis B at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute of Technology. This event was attended by over 300 people, including members of The Body Politic, Red Cross workers, social workers, doctors and archivists, who put forward a proposal to establish a standing AIDS Committee. In response to Toronto’s first AIDS diagnosis 1982, the need for an organization that provided the public with up-to-date information and resources, support services and and advice regarding the virus, quickly became apparent.

Following the initial public forum, a series of meetings were held at the 519 Church Street Community Centre, which led to the establishment of the AIDS Committee of Toronto and its 5 working groups: Medical Liaison, AIDSupport, Fundraising and Special Events and Community Education. On June 9, ACT was successful in its bid to get the Canada Ontario Development Project grant of $62,000 which allowed it to hire 6 people for a period of 6 months. On July 12, ACT elected 10 people to their 12 member Executive Committee. A press conference was held on July 19 to officially announce the establishment of the AIDS Committee of Toronto. In its infancy, ACT worked out of the Hassle Free Clinic, which was followed by their move to an office located at 66 Wellesley Street E. On October 4, 1983, ACT was legally incorporated in the Province of Ontario as a non-profit charitable organization.

In its early days, ACT fostered a ‘bottom-up’ approach to health care and sought to mobilize the gay community. It had a small number of staff who coordinated the volunteer-based working groups whose members were elected as Board of Directors. As service demands grew quickly, ACT began to shift towards becoming a more structured organization, through the establishment of policies, procedures and a screening process for volunteers.

ACT’s activities centred around HIV prevention through sexual health education and providing support services for people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. The education campaigns and programs were initiated through forums, discussion groups, conferences and speaking engagements. On July 4, 1984, ACT organized the first AIDS Awareness Week which would later become a provincial and national event. The event was composed of panel discussions, benefits and press conferences. Education efforts also extended to brochure and poster projects, which were circulated to targeted communities and reproduced by external groups. ACT’s first brochure was “This Is a Test” which provided information on HIV antibody testing. On September 3 1985, ACT’s film “No Sad Songs” premiered. The film was directed by Nick Sheehan, profiling Jim Black, a man living with AIDS and the gay community’s response to AIDS.

In addition to education, the organization offered support services that were geared towards people worried about HIV/AIDS, people living with HIV, AIDS, ARC and PLS and their loved ones. A range of services were offered through programs such as the Buddy Program, Financial Assistance Program, Practical Assistance Program, Bereavement Program, the ACT Hotline and the Volunteer Counselling Services. These programs offered financial, practical and emotional support and assistance. In 1986, ACT announced plans to open North America’s first AIDS hospice. The hospice project resulted in the establishment of Casey House in 1988, which has since then operated independently.

ACT advocated for government action in response to the AIDS epidemic on the municipal, provincial and federal levels. It sat on various government committees and submitted briefs and reports on a variety of issues. When the HIV antibody test became available in Canada, ACT advocated for anonymous testing to reduce barriers to testing and stigma associated with HIV//AIDS.

In 1993, ACT moved to 399 Church Street. This location housed ACT’s Access Centre which operated a small circulating library collection, reference material and free up to date information on HIV/AIDS, which was made available for the public. In the early 1990s, ACT underwent restructuring as many community members felt that the organization had become burdened by bureaucracy.

In addition to its educational and support-based projects and campaigns, ACT organized other community events, such as the first AIDS Vigil, held in 1985. Fundraising events were also introduced. The AIDS Walk Toronto was an annual event started in 1988 in which community-based organizations participated to raise awareness and funds for AIDS,and to promote education and support services. Fashion Cares was an annual Gala fundraiser, which included fashion shows, auctions, banquets, and after shows. This annual gala aimed to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and funds for ACT in partnership with local and national designers, celebrities and businesses. The Fashion Cares Gala was held in 1987 at the Sherbourne Street Diamond Nightclub. September 9, 2012 marked the final Fashion Cares event, which was held at the Sony Centre.

Aikenhead Hardware Co
Corporate body

Aikenhead Hardware began as a Ridout's Hardware Store at the corner of King and Yonge Streets in 1830 in York, Upper Canada. The store became Ridout, Aikenhead and Crombie in 1868. By 1893, the store had moved to Adelaide Street East and Thomas E. Aikenhead had taken over as sole owner and the company became known as Aikenhead Hardware Co. By 1905, Aikenhead's had moved to Temperance Street and was reorganised as a limited stock company known as Aikenhead Hardware Limited. Successive members of the Aikenhead family ran the company until it ceased operation in the 1990s.

Person · 1863-1946

Rev. James Robert Aikenhead was born in Toronto in 1863, and died at the age of 83, June 16, 1946. Aikenhead entered the ministry at age 21 and his charges in Toronto included Westmoreland Avenue United Church, King Street United Church, Davenport Road United Church. Aikenhead’s wife was Elizabeth Dimsdale who was the first woman evangelist to be appointed by the Toronto Conference of the Methodist Church in 1885. His daughter, Gertrude Aikenhead was superintendent of the Fred Victor home for Girls, and he also had a son, James Aikenhead.

Aikins, James Cox, 1823-1904
Person · 1823-1904

James Cox Aikins, P.C. (1823-1904) was a farmer, member of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, a Senator, a member of various Federal Cabinets, and a Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba.

James Aikins was born in Toronto and was educated at local school and Victoria College, Cobourg. He became a farmer in Peel County and in 1854 was elected as a member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly for Peel County, which he held until 1861. In 1862 he was elected to the Home District seat (Peel and Hamilton counties) in the Legislative Council, which he held until confederation. In May of 1867, he was called to the Senate of the new Dominion, and sat until May of 1882. In 1869 he was made a minister without portfolio, and was sworn in as a Privy Councillor and as Secretary of State for Canada. He held the post of Secretary of State until 1873, and was given the post again in 1878. In 1880 he was made Minister of the Interior, and in 1882 he became the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba and Keewatin, a term which expired in 1888. He turned to business activities until 1896, when he was recalled to the Senate.

Aikins was also treasurer of the Methodist Missionary Society and President of the Methodist Social Union. He also served as vice- president of the Ontario Prohibition Alliance.

In private business, Aikins held directorships in several companies, including the Freehold Loan and Savings Company, the Ontario Bank, the Loan and Deposit Company, the Manitoba and Northwest Loan Company, and the Trusts Corporation of Ontario.

In 1845, Aikins married Mary Elizabeth Somerset, by whom he had four daughters and three sons. The eldest daughter, Helena, married the Reverend Donald George Sutherland, son of Captain James Sutherland, in 1872.

Corporate body · 1925-

Ailsa Craig Pastoral Charge was formed in 1925 at church union and included: Ailsa Craig and Carlisle. Brinsley United Church would join the charge ca. 1956 with the dissolution of Crediton Pastoral Charge. It is still an active pastoral charge of the United Church of Canada.

Ailsa Craig United Church, located at 156 Main Street in Ailsa Craig, was established in 1925, formerly Presbyterian.

Brinsley United Church, located at 34713 Brinsley Road in North Middlesex, was established in 1925, formerly Methodist.

Carlisle United Church, located at 19 Falkirk Street in North Middlesex, was established in 1925, formerly Presbyterian

Corporate body

Ailsa Craig Presbyterian Church was organized on November 17, 1870. The first minister was The Rev. J. Rennie, who continued to serve the congregation until 1888. The first church building to house the congregation was built in 1871. This church was replaced with a newer one in 1929.