MONTREAL – Protesters are planning to gather in front of Outremont City Hall Monday evening to protest the proposed name change of the borough’s Vimy Park, in honour of former Quebec premier Jacques Parizeau.
Demonstrators are set to meet at 6:45 p.m. in front of city hall and then march on to Vimy Park.
READ MORE: Proposed renaming of Outremont park in honour of former premier Jacques Parizeau stirs controversy
In a Facebook post, organizers said the proposed change was an affront to our veterans.
“Canadian Soldiers died on Vimy Ridge for our Freedoms,” the post reads. “Time for us to now stand up and fight for their name and honor.”
That sentiment was widely echoed on social media and a several online petitions are calling on Mayor Denis Coderre and the city to keep the name intact, arguing that Parizeau tried to break-up the country with the 1995 referendum and that a park commemorating Canadian soldiers should not be renamed in his honour.
READ MORE: Quebec releases English version of 1995 Parizeau speech prepped for Yes win
Montreal’s municipal council is set to debate the issue Monday afternoon.
If the council adopts the resolution, the borough of Outremont will be able to go ahead with the proposed change.
Outremont borough spokesperson Julie Tecia Pépin said that the borough voted in favour of the motion on October 5 of last year.
The name change was initiated by Outremont’s historical society, as a tribute to one of its more famous residents.
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