This photo comes from Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre.
The caption reads: “The Grand Trunk Railway (photos circa 1912) was instrumental in launching Muskoka’s tourism industry by connecting Toronto to the region via train. It partnered with the Muskoka Navigation Company which then transported passengers to lakeside resorts and cottages with its fleet of steamers. Thousands of passengers and huge consignments of freight and baggage were unloaded from the trains to the steamships and back again. By the turn of the centre, the Grand Trunk Railway had to send up to 5 trains a day to handle the rush. The Grand Trunk Railway was eventually absorbed by the Canadian National Railway (CNR).”
For over 60 years I have travelled across the very spot depicted in the photograph of The Grand Trunk Railway shown in Wayback Wednesday depicting the 1912 fire at the Gravenhurst Station down at the wharf on Gravenhurst Bay. I have in my short time seen many, many changes. I lived in Marie Aiken’s towers. I worked on the Segwun in the 1980s. I have photos of both the Segwun and the Sagamo taken from the Lookout Point that were taken in the 1960s.
So much has changed.
Speaking of harbour, why do I battle my own harbouring of negativity whenever I see these old images?
God’s Living Word, the Holy Bible, points us all to forgiveness, understanding and love for one another. Well, ok. I believe in that. I need to be forgiven. I really want to do that. Every time I think of how when I shovelled 2 tons of coal every night by hand with a shovel and a wheelbarrow, from 7pm to 7 am, 60 to 80 hours a week, lied to by supervisors and management about how $180.00 a week was a “salary” and not subject to overtime, stat holiday pay and even health protection from coal dust and severe burns, well… I get the feeling of confusion that strongly tempts me to be very bitter indeed.
This does not make me a “great Christian” person. I have to admit that my own disappointment was that I didn’t take the issue head on and use the rightful laws to ensure that I and others are paid honestly. Now, from the comfort of my padded chair and a computer, I get to write a letter to the Editor that nobody reads, and if they do, they probably couldn’t care a less.
So what’s the point?
The point is that when the authenticity of something historic continues to justify outright abuse of people and our resources just because it makes money for the most dishonest amongst us, and I’m not Mr. Honest by any means, then we should as a duty out of love for one another fix the problem and trust that the fair way to share money will work out for all concerned.
I have no idea what the labour standards are at Gravenhurst Wharf today. I truly hope it’s in accordance to the law. Outdated things from the past must never include outdated compensation for work done today.
Most importantly, in regards to justice, our laws continue to be weakened and do less for those who do not know how to negotiate. This crosses into violating God’s laws. Do not steal.
Please be helpful to one another and be fair with the money. You’ll be very glad you did!