New provincial plaque commemorates Margarette Rae Morrison Luckock’s leadership and commitment to equality

ARTHUR — Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in collaboration with the Township of Wellington North, unveiled a new provincial plaque commemorating Margarette Rae Morrison Luckock’s story. Raised here in Arthur, and commonly known as Rae Luckock, she was instrumental in transforming the social and political landscape of the province in the 1940s and 1950s. She paved the way for a more equal Ontario, expanding opportunities for women and working-class families.

Her principles were stalwart and her views ahead of their time. She believed in enhancing environmental protection, denouncing discrimination in all its forms and improving education for all. In the 1943 election, she made history as one of the first women elected as a member of the Ontario provincial parliament. Rae Luckock fought for the respect of women’s economic contributions, which helped women remain in the workforce and laid the foundation for postwar social programs.

The Trust’s provincial plaques commemorate the people, place and events that have shaped the story of Ontario. Rae Luckock aspired to build a better and more inclusive province. She was a trailblazer who shattered barriers and championed equality. She inspired subsequent generations of social reformers and her strength of conviction still resonates today.

The plaque text reads as follows:

MARGARETTE RAE MORRISON LUCKOCK

Raised in Arthur, Margarette Rae Morrison Luckock had a radical vision of a better society, advocating for women’s equality, improved education, workers’ rights and disarmament. She persistently ran for school trustee in Toronto five times before succeeding in 1943. That same year, Luckock became one of the first two women elected to the Ontario legislature, serving as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of provincial parliament for Toronto’s Bracondale riding from 1943-45. She called for universally accessible education and improved rural education. Women, Luckock urged, deserved equal pay for equal work, and she fought for women to stay in the postwar workforce. She advocated for daycare for working mothers, and that women’s essential work as mothers and homemakers deserved greater recognition. After the Second World War, as the Housewives Consumers Association’s co-founder, Luckock led a campaign for price controls to ensure the economic security of working-class families. During the 1950s, as president of the Congress of Canadian Women, she became a champion of disarmament and peace. As fear of communism during the Cold War intensified, Luckock received opposition and criticism for her work. Her efforts to create a more egalitarian, fair and compassionate society paved the way for generations to continue breaking barriers and forged a path for a brighter future of equality and progress in Canadian politics.

The plaque is now installed beside 284 George Street in Arthur and is available for public viewing.

Quotes

“Luckock was a true trailblazer who never sought the spotlight. Her humility and quiet perseverance may have kept hidden her passion and drive for the causes she championed, but they were ahead of their time and should be celebrated. Many of those causes we now consider essential to our society. The Township of Wellington North is proud to call Luckock one of our own, and we are thrilled to see her achievements recognized today with the installation of this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. May this tribute ensure that her story no longer remains in the shadows and inspires the next generation of women in politics.” — Mayor Andy Lennox, Township of Wellington North

“It is great to see the history of MPP Rae Luckock being honoured and remembered in Arthur. This plaque is representative of her hard work, determination, fighting spirit and her efforts to make Ontario a better place for all of us. I am honoured to be able to continue this work in Queen’s Park today, fighting for our rural communities and supporting equality in parliament.” — Matthew Rae, MPP for the riding of Perth-Wellington

“As a principled, determined advocate for many essential provincial reforms, Luckock was a builder, a champion for a better Ontario. By persistently fighting for families, for women and for the environment, she embodied the values of inclusion and civic participation that the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism works to advance—transforming and improving life for all Ontarians.” — Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism

“Luckock’s efforts helped to make a more equal and more compassionate Ontario. Today, we should take pride in the society she helped to build. This new provincial plaque helps to uncover and share the story of a leader who valued dignity and equality for all.” — John Ecker, Chair, Ontario Heritage Trust

Learn more

Find out more about the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Provincial Plaque Program.

Contact

For more information about the Ontario Heritage Trust, contact David Leonard, Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist, at 437-246-9065 or media@heritagetrust.on.ca.

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About the Ontario Heritage Trust

The Trust is committed to preserving Ontario’s cultural and natural heritage and ensuring its continued relevance for future generations. We are working towards an Ontario where heritage is not only preserved and valued, but is celebrated, enjoyed and used as a source of inspiration. The Trust will be a beacon in an Ontario where heritage is preserved, protected and promoted in ways that are sources of pride for all Ontarians.

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