Welcome to the website of the Foundation whose mission it is to foster the memory of the oldest free school in Toronto and the man who was responsible for its existence, Enoch Turner.
Our mission is also to help the Ontario Heritage Trust to preserve the Schoolhouse in its original condition, so that it will continue to inspire thousands of visitors every year.
In 2023 and 2024, the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation and Ontario Heritage Trust celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Schoolhouse and the role it played in the development of a provincially supported free school system.
Our local public schools are facing a quiet governance crisis. Sweeping provincial legislation has fundamentally reshaped local education—capping trustee numbers, slashing salaries, and placing multiple Ontario school boards under government-appointed supervisors.
The province argues these measures are a necessary intervention against unsustainable deficits, fiscal mismanagement, and the diversion of resources away from the classroom. Critics counter that these reforms strip away local democratic governance while failing to address the true root issue: chronic provincial underfunding of public education.
Do school boards still matter?
Do they have a future?
Join us for an urgent community forum to discuss what these changes mean for our schools, our students, and the future of local democracy.
The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation invites you to a vital, live-only public forum:
Speakers’ Corner: Do School Boards Have a Future?
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:45 PM)
*Joe Martin is Chair of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation Advisory Board and over the last many years has been central to the Foundation’s success.
Currently President of the Canadian Business History Association, of which he was a founding Director, Joe’s contributions to the study and promotion of history in Canada have also included his role as a founding Director of Canada’s National History Society, President of the Manitoba Historical Society and Director of the Canadian Business History Program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where he was also Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Executive in Residence.
Prior to his full-time commitment to history and teaching, Joe had a distinguished career in the private sector and politics, serving as Executive Assistant to Duff Roblin while he was Premier of Manitoba, and later as a successful executive with Deloitte Consulting where he rose to lead the Canadian practice and served as Chair of the firm’s Global Committee.
Joe is a published author, a proud family man, and a passionate Canadian.
The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation mourns the loss of Lynton ‘Red’ Wilson. Not only a remarkable Canadian business leader, champion of public policy and committed philanthropist, Mr. Wilson was also a dedicated and long-standing member of our Advisory Board. We thank him for the years of meaningful contributions and guidance. He led a life of service and leadership to the improvement of our country and his legacy will live on. Learn more about Red Wilson here or read ‘L.R. “Red” Wilson, A Canadian Journey’ by Dimitry Anastakis.
You are cordially invited to a festive Canadian Christmas dinner, Heritage Champion award, entertainment and Christmas cheer as we celebrate Toronto’s first free school!
Begin the evening with a reception, hors d’oeurves and cash bar. Followed by a mouth-watering, four course, traditional Canadian Christmas dinner with wine catered by award-winning enVille Event Design and Catering.
Ryan Manucha is Master of Ceremonies for a program of traditional Irish music with North Atlantic Drift and caroling with singer and actor Catherine McKinnon.
*Tables will be created in groups of 4-6
This event is a fundraiser for the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation (11927 2862 RR0001). Tax receipts will be issued for the maximum allowable amount.
Wheelchair and TTC accessible.
For more information and tickets contact info@enochturnerschoolhouse.ca
Enoch Turner on Tap! returns to the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Enjoy Irish music, snacks, Victorian games, and even sip on a custom brewed beer good enough to impress Enoch Turner himself!*
*Custom beer available at cash bar. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available.
**This event is 19+.
***Tickets must be shown at the door and includes admission and snacks.
Ryan Manucha presents his Donner Prize winning book Booze, Cigarettes and Constitutional Dust-Ups: Canada’s Quest for Interprovincial Free Trade. A leading expert on interprovincial trade in Canada, Ryan Manucha is frequently called upon to advise governments and agencies. Ryan’s solutions-focused research is routinely published by Canada’s leading think tanks. He is currently a research fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute. Ryan holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.
Presented by the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation and the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Custom beer created and provided by Granite Brewery.
Enoch Turner on Tap! returns to the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Enjoy Irish music, snacks, Victorian games, and even sip on a custom brewed beer good enough to impress Enoch Turner himself!*
*Custom beer available at cash bar. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available.
**This event is 19+.
***Tickets must be shown at the door and includes admission and snacks.
Ryan Manucha presents his Donner Prize winning book Booze, Cigarettes and Constitutional Dust-Ups: Canada’s Quest for Interprovincial Free Trade. A leading expert on interprovincial trade in Canada, Ryan Manucha is frequently called upon to advise governments and agencies. Ryan’s solutions-focused research is routinely published by Canada’s leading think tanks. He is currently a research fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute. Ryan holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.
Presented by the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation and the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Custom beer created and provided by Granite Brewery.
*Joe Martin is Chair of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation Advisory Board and over the last many years has been central to the Foundation’s success.
Currently President of the Canadian Business History Association, of which he was a founding Director, Joe’s contributions to the study and promotion of history in Canada have also included his role as a founding Director of Canada’s National History Society, President of the Manitoba Historical Society and Director of the Canadian Business History Program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where he was also Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Executive in Residence.
Prior to his full-time commitment to history and teaching, Joe had a distinguished career in the private sector and politics, serving as Executive Assistant to Duff Roblin while he was Premier of Manitoba, and later as a successful executive with Deloitte Consulting where he rose to lead the Canadian practice and served as Chair of the firm’s Global Committee.
Joe is a published author, a proud family man, and a passionate Canadian.
We are incredibly happy to share this year’s Speaker’s Corner session.
If you were unable to join this session, please CLICK HERE to access the recording and enjoy!
We are thankful to our host Cecilia Morgan and wonderful panelists Patrice Dutil, Jackson Pind, Catherine Ellis, David A. Wilson and Sean Carleton for their compelling and enlightening commentary.
Thank-you to all who tuned in and joined us online!
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation 