The Hoggs Hollow Tragedy
On March 17, 1960, five Italian immigrant workers, Pasquale Allegrezza, Giovanni Battista Carriglio, Giovanni Fusillo, Alessandro and Guido Mantella, died in a tragic accident during construction of a tunnel at Hoggs Hollow. The details of the accident, where the workers were trapped 10.5 metres underground in a cramped, dimly lit tunnel, sparked a public outcry over the lack of safety standards in construction. The Italian community was gripped with sorrow over the deaths and and angry over the conditions that led to such needless loss of life. A groundswell of public opinion and union organizing for stronger safety enforcement resulted in a Royal Commission that ultimately led to better safety and labour laws. The Hoggs Hollow tragedy was a catalyst that changed forever the safety laws in Ontario and saved many lives as a result.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.