The stations along Montreal’s future light rail network all have their official names — with the exception of one spot that has been the topic of debate between the city and its Irish community.
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) revealed the monikers of 25 of its 26 stations on Thursday morning as work continues to build the massive transit network.
“After a rigorous process establishing toponomy of the REM network, eight stations changed names to be better integrated into the metropolitan transport grid,” the organization said in a statement.
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The REM said it kept the names of existing stations directly connected to the network so as not to create confusion among commuters. For example, the Deux-Montagnes station will remain the same.
When it comes to the new service points, the organization said it dubbed them after their locations. The Pointe-Claire station, for example, will be called Fairview-Pointe-Claire to avoid confusion with the commuter rail station.
The name of the station planned for Griffintown in Montreal’s Southwest borough won’t be announced until later but no date was given.
READ MORE: Montreal Mayor hopes to name Griffintown REM train station after Bernard Landry
The city’s proposal to name the station after late Quebec premier Bernard Landry has sparked backlash among Irish Montrealers.
Over the past few months, members of the community have argued the plan is an insult to Irish heritage.
“We’re certainly hopeful,” said Fergus Keyes, the director of Montreal Irish Memorial Park Foundation.
“If for some reason the announcement came out and they still intend to name it Griffintown-Bernard-Landry, then we simply have no intention of giving up the fight. It’s unacceptable to us.”
The light rail network will include 67 kilometres of tracks that will link Montreal, the south shore, the West Island and the north shore. It is expected to be completed by 2024.
The full list of names
- Deux-Montagnes
- Grand-Moulin
- Sainte-Dorothée
- Île-Bigras
- Pierrefonds–Roxboro
- Sunnybrooke
- Bois-Franc
- Du Ruisseau
- Montpellier
- Côte-de-Liesse
- Ville-de-Mont-Royal
- Canora
- Édouard-Montpetit
- McGill
- Central Station
- Île-des-Sœurs
- Panama
- Du Quartier
- Brossard
- Des Sources
- Fairview–Pointe-Claire
- Kirkland
- L’Anse-à-l’Orme
- Marie-Curie
- YUL–Montréal–Trudeau Airport