For Westmount Mayor Peter Trent, it was a moment 16 years in the making: Monday, the federal government recognized Westmount with a plaque to commemorate the city’s historic national significance.
The idea came about when Trent was fighting against a merger for the city.
“We started this whole process because I felt at the time – when I was fighting the forced mergers – this would be good ammunition to fight the mergers with,” Trent said.
He said Westmount’s ability to keep its historical buildings says a lot about the community.
“Westmount is unique because of the fact that we remained an independent city with our own architectural planning commission, with our own planning advisory commission that protected our buildings for the last 100 years,” Trent said.
For some Westmount residents, the recognition is fitting.
“For us older people there’s some history and tradition around…that’s nice to see it being maintained,” resident Michael Shapiro said.
Trent said the plaque will be placed outside of city hall, allowing Westmount residents to take notice.
“I think it will make them feel proud,” Marc Garneau, Member of Parliament for NDG-Westmount, said.
“I think some of them will dig a little bit deeper into the history of Westmount because of the recognition that’s being given.”
Garneau believes the timing works well with Canada’s 150th anniversary.
“The purpose of this plaque is to recognize that there are historic sites here in Canada and we, as a young nation, should be very proud of that,” Garneau said.
Moving forward, Trent hopes the Quebec government will follow suit.
“I hope this will tell Quebec, by the way they have this wonderful historic district in Westmount and they should be proud of it,” Trent said.
“They should boost it the same way they boost Old Montreal or Old Quebec or any other place.”