Place du Canada, 1967 (Dominion Square Park – Dorchester Square) 1878
One the most important Parks in Montreal, ‘Dominion Square Park-Place du Canada’ (Dorchester Square), features many monuments relevant to the history of Montreal. The park located in downtown Montreal covers over five acres of green space. It was inaugurated in 1878 but work continued until recently.
The Park describes the growth of a political and industrial era prior to Confederation and the growth of railway technology and transportation. The park sits over a series of railway lines and the five kilometer tunnel of Canadian National Rail. The varied monuments are dedicated to persons who fought for a unified state prior to Confederation.
Important buildings include; Dominion Square Building – Gazette Building 1930, SunLife Building, CIBC Tower, Windsor CP Station and Central Station and St. Georges Anglican 1869.
Important Monuments; Wilfred Laurier 1953 – Canada’s first French Prime Minister, Boer War Memorial 1907 – Lord Strathcona and John A. MacDonald 1895 – first Prime Minister of Canada.
In 1967, the Square was divided into two parts; the north part was renamed Dorchester Park after Baron Dorchester who supported the French in British North Amercia and the south part was renamed ‘Place du Canada’, after Canada celebrated its centennial anniversary.
Place du Canada is remembered as the site of ‘Union Rally’ an political rally in October, 1995 where over 100,000 Canadians came from outside Quebec to celebrate a United Canada and to plead with Quebec citizens against the ‘Quebec Independance Referendum.
After the death of Premier Rene Levesque 1968-1985, Dorchester Blvd., Montreal was renamed. The Square was renovated for Montreal’s 375th Anniversary by Claude Cormier Architects.
The Park has a Historic designation from the Minister of Culture and Communications, Quebec 2012.
This listing was created by Joanna A on Aug 27, 2020. Please confirm details at the site’s own website before planning your visit. Are you the owner/operator of this historic place? Would you like to make changes to this listing? Please contact us at historicplacesday@nationaltrustcanada.ca
