Ontario Heritage Trust approves plaque honouring Rae Luckock

ARTHUR – Wellington North has received approval from the Ontario Heritage Trust to install a plaque in Arthur to recognize pioneering politician Margarette Rae Morrison, known as Rae Luckock.

Born in Arthur in 1893 to James Morrison and Margaret Blyth, Luckock was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1943.

She and Agnes Macphail were the first women elected to the legislature and both were members of the Ontario Co-oerative Commonwealth Federation, a precursor to the New Democratic Party. 

During her time in government, Luckock advocated for free university tuition, improved rural education, equal pay for women, pay for homemakers, and environmental issues. She also co-founded the Housewives Consumers Association, which petitioned for lower food prices in 1948, encouraging the federal government to intervene with companies artificially fixing bread prices.

After leaving provincial politics, Luckock became president of the Congress of Canadian Women, an organization dedicated to world disarmament.

In the 1950s, she developed Parkinson’s disease, and spent the last years of her life in hospital, dying in 1972.

“Too much time has passed in recognizing such an extraordinary person,” Wellington North councillor Steve McCabe stated in a news release.

“Rae (Luckock) was well ahead of her time, entering the Ontario Legislature in 1943, during World War II. A great inspiration for all our residents to be proud of, I am happy this plaque will be a reality.”

The plaque, intended to bring awareness to Luckock’s achievements, will be installed on the northwest corner of George Street and Francis Street in Arthur Community Park. It will be adjacent to the historical marker in memory of her father. 

An unveiling event is planned for early fall.