Fonds 91-1009 - Platform of the Grand Association for Ontario of the Patrons of Industry

The Grand Association of the Patrons of Industry in Ontario was based on the American Association of the Patrons of Industry from Michigan in 1889. The Ontario organization declared itself independent of the American organization in 1891. By 1892 they had adopted the rules and constitution of their American brethern. They wanted to uphold and encourage the moral, social, intellectual, political and financial situation of people in rural Ontario. In 1894 the Patrons elected 17 members to the Ontario Legislature. Their membership exceeded 30 000 people and they had massive support from most communities. During the same time that the Patrons of Industry were operating, the Grange, which also represented the farmers of Ontario, was operating. Both organizations failed to acknowledge the existence of the other and in turn each organization duplicated the efforts of the other. This helped to encourage the decline of each organization. The Patrons were formed in order to try and save the way of life and thought that existed in the late 1800's farming communities. They sought to resist industrialization and although they started off strongly they were unable to keep the momentum going and eventually they deteriorated to the point of non-existence. (Taken from: Hann, Russell. "Some Historical Perspectives on Canadian Agrarian Political Movements: The Ontario origins of agrarian criticism of Canadian industrial society." Toronto: new hogtown press, 1973.)