Bill PR55 explained in plain English

Bill PR55 continues Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries as a not-for-profit corporation under its own special Act, modernizes its governance structure, and repeals older legislation that previously governed the organization.

Bill PR55 is a private bill that gives Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries a new, modernized legal framework. The corporation—formerly known as The Trustees of the Toronto General Burying Grounds, originally incorporated in 1871—is now governed under this new Act rather than the series of older laws that had governed it for over 150 years. Under this Act, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries is continued as a non-profit corporation without share capital. The corporation's main purposes are to own and operate non-denominational cemeteries and crematoriums that serve the public, and to offer related bereavement services such as funeral services. The corporation must operate on a not-for-profit basis, meaning any income or gains must be used to support its cemetery and crematorium operations rather than distributed to members or directors. The board of directors sets the size of the board through by-laws and can authorize director compensation as allowed by by-laws. The existing board members in office when the Act receives Royal Assent automatically become the new board. The Act gives Mount Pleasant certain powers similar to those of a natural person (subject to the Act and the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010), but with important restrictions: profits and property cannot be distributed to members or directors except to further the corporation's activities. If the corporation dissolves, each cemetery and its related assets must be transferred to the local municipality (or the province if no local municipality exists), and no remaining property can be distributed to members or directors. The Act modifies how the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 applies to Mount Pleasant. In case of conflict, this Act takes priority. Mount Pleasant cannot become incorporated under another jurisdiction's laws, but it may amalgamate with other corporations or pursue certain arrangements as allowed under the Not-for-Profit Act. The corporation's basic objects and powers set out in this Act cannot be removed, though additional compatible objects may be added. This bill repeals 12 older Acts and one section of an Act that previously governed the Toronto General Burying Grounds and related entities, consolidating all governance into this single, modern statute.