Montreal West, Quebec
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| Montreal West, Quebec | |
| — Town — | |
| Town of Montreal West | |
| Nickname: The Garden Suburb | |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Quebec |
| Region | Montreal (06) |
| Electoral district | Federal: Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine MP: Marlene Jennings Provincial: Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (provincial electoral district) MNA: Russell Copeman |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Campbell Stuart |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1.41 km² (0.5 sq mi) |
| Population (2006 Census) | |
| - Total | 5,184 |
| - Density | 3,684.7/km² (9,543.3/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code span | H4X |
| Area code(s) | 514/438 |
| Website: montreal-west.ca | |
Montreal West (French: Montréal-Ouest) is a town in southwestern Quebec, Canada on the Island of Montreal. On January 1, 2002 it, along with its neighboring suburbs of Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead, was merged into a borough of the City of Montreal to be known as Côte-Saint-Luc—Hampstead—Montréal-Ouest, though 97% of the town population voted against the merger. The population voted on June 20, 2004 to demerge and Montreal West was re-established as a town on January 1, 2006.
Also known as "MoWest", Montreal West is a small, close-knit suburban community made up primarily of single family dwellings. The town is largely composed of young families, and has a total population of 5 332 (As of 2005). The town itself takes up 1 630 square metres (1,6 km²). About 85% of the population of Montreal West use English as their first language.
Montreal West is notable for having Quebec's highest rated Anglophone public high school, Royal West Academy (ranked 39th overall in 2005 by the Fraser Institute). The town is also the home of Canada's oldest amateur Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, the Montreal West Operatic Society. Clay tennis courts, the Montreal West Curling Club, a swimming pool, and an indoor ice rink are also highlights of the town.
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[edit] Politics and government
[edit] City Council
The Town of Montreal West is served by its mayor, Campbell Stuart and four city councillors. [1]
- Colleen Feeney (Finance and Administration)
- Beny Masella (Public Security)
- Joe Mckenzie (Public Works)
- Elizabeth Ulin (Recreation and Cultural Services)
[edit] List of mayors
1897 - William Smithson Lingley
1898 - Charles McClatchie
1899 - B.W. Grigg
1900 - J.J. Kirkpatrick
1901 - Walter C. Flyfe
1902 - Edward J. Bedbrook
1903 - C.C. Ballantyne
1904 - Edward J. Bedbrook
1905 - William Smithson Lingley
1906 - J.J. Kirkpatrick
1908 - Edward J. Bedbrook
1909–1910 - C.J. Davies
1911–1927 - James Ballantyne
1927–1935 - Harry Aird
1935–1943 - James R. Pearson
1943–1948 - Robert Hope Ross
1948–1954 - George W. Hodgson
1954–1963 - Forest Norman Wiggins
1963–1965 - Everett Charles Fitzpatrick
1965–1973 - Robert Arthur McQueen
1973–1977 - Alistair Reekie
1977–1989 - Roy D. Locke
1989–2002 - John A. Simms
2002–2006 - Part of the city of Montreal
2006–present - Campbell Stuart
[edit] Federal and provincial politics
The Town of Montreal West shares a federal riding with the Montreal neighbourhoods of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Lachine. The riding is known as Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine and its Member of Parliament is Liberal Marlene Jennings.
Provincially, Montreal West again shares a riding with Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. The riding is known as Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and its Member of National Assembly is Liberal Russell Copeman.
[edit] Demographics
| Mother Tongue | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English | 3,430 | 66.3% |
| French | 745 | 14.4% |
| English and French | 45 | 0.9% |
| English and a non-official language | ~ | ~ |
| French and a non-official language | 20 | 0.4% |
| English, French and a non-official language | 10 | 0.2% |
| Italian | 330 | 6.4% |
| Romanian | 60 | 1.2% |
| German | 50 | 1.0% |
| Mother Tongue | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Polish | 50 | 1.0% |
| Chinese | 45 | 0.9% |
| Spanish | 45 | 0.9% |
| Arabic | 35 | 0.7% |
| Hebrew | 25 | 0.5% |
| Ukrainian | 25 | 0.5% |
| Yiddish | 25 | 0.5% |
| Greek | 20 | 0.4% |
| Russian | 20 | 0.4% |
[edit] Events
[edit] Canada Day
Canada Day is the largest community event of the year in Montreal West. Residents organize a parade route that mainly runs down the main street of Westminster and ends at Strathern Park. Floats represented in the parade include organizations and clubs located in town, as well as some created personally by residents.
In some years, there have been water fights between sidelined residents and members of the parade (mainly the swimming pool float). Water fights during these years have seen water balloons and super soaker water guns, as well as the odd hose drawn from a house. Organizers have tried to minimize these activities in recent years so as not to detract from the parade itself, with varying success.
Following the parade, residents converge on Strathern Park for a giant picnic/BBQ. Many children's games and activities go on at the park, as well as in the nearby Percival park. The final event of the evening is the fireworks, which take place around 10pm at Hodgson Field.
[edit] Fête Nationale du Québec
Annually on June 24th there is a picnic at Davies Park, featuring music performed by Québécois musicians. In the late evening, a large bonfire is held in the centre of the park.
[edit] Garbage Bowl
The Garbage Bowl is a yearly tradition held every January 1st, where men from Montreal West separate into two teams, the Northern Combines and the Southern Bombers, and play a football game in the frigid weather. Since 1950, the teams have suited up in pajamas with proceeds from donations, food, and commemorative pins going to charity.
[edit] Associations & Clubs
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- Art Etc.
- Montreal West Scout Group
- Montreal West Girl Guides Group
- Montreal West 50 Plus Travel Club
- Montreal West Horticultural Society
- Montreal West Operatic Society
- Montreal West Curling Club (MWCC)
- Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest clubs in Quebec. It has over 300 members and has four sheets of curling ice.
- Montreal West Tennis Club
- 4 Clay courts
[edit] Education
Montreal West has one Anglophone high school, Royal West Academy High School. It also has two Anglophone elementary schools, Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School and Edinburgh Elementary School which offers French immersion. These schools are part of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB).
In terms of libraries, the town has a children's library located in each of the above-mentioned elementary schools. Another is located in Royal West Academy High School. An adult library is also located on Westminster Avenue.
[edit] Public Places
The town of Montreal West has incorporated many of the standard public spaces expected from a family oriented suburb of a large city. It has a large number of public parks, an indoor ice skating rink, and a public swimming pool.
It terms of services, the town has its own public works division, a fire station, a community centre (named after former town mayor John A. Simms), and a Town Hall.
[edit] Public Transportation
Montreal West is serviced by six Société de transport de Montréal bus lines. Each of these connects to a corresponding Montreal Metro (subway) station. The Montreal West Train Station also services the area. Trains that run through this station connect passengers to downtown Montreal on one end, and three different routes heading away from the city at the other end.
[edit] Local establishments
The core business area of Montreal West is located on Westminster Avenue between Milner and Curzon. It's comprised exclusively of small, non-franchised businesses. Of particular note is the Mini-Cout Depanneur, which is the most popular store in the area. The store has been in operation in the area for over 20 years. The Quality Fruit Bowl, the local produce store, has been in operation at least as long. Also of note is the local pharmacy, Budning Pharmacy, which has operated in the same location for over 50 years. Chien-Chaud, the local diner, is popular with the lunch time crowd at Royal West, a nearby high school, and the Bistro Wesminster, formerly Omiros, is a great hangout for the neighborhood's baby boomers.
[edit] Religious Sanctuaries
Montreal West includes three medium-sized church buildings. One is United (Montreal West United Church [1]), one is Anglican (St. Philip's Church), and the final is Presbyterian (Montreal West Presbyterian Church). The Montreal West United Church also rents space to a Pentecostal service (Overcomers Assembly).
[edit] Parks
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| Name | Location | Name Origin | Features |
| Dave Reid Park | End of Bedbrook | Named after Mr. Dave Reid, who was superintendent of the Legion Memorial Rink from its opening in 1966 until his death in 1980 | 1 jungle Gym |
| Davies Park | Westminster South/Ainslie | Previously named Edgar Davies Park. Named for George and Edgar Davies who operated Davies Brothers, a grocery store located at 56 Westminster for many years. They were very active in the community during this time. Also previously called South Park | Montreal West community centre, 2 outdoor ice skating rinks in Winter, 1 chalet |
| George Booth Park | Bedbrook/Curzon | Named for Fire Chief George Booth who died while performing his duties at a fire in 1975 | 1 baseball diamond, 1 jungle gym |
| Hodgson Park | Bedbrook/Nelson | Named after MR. G.W. Hodgson, Mayor of Montreal West 1948-54 | 1 basketball court, 1 Soccer/Football Field, 1 Recreational & 1 Ice Hockey Outdoor skating rink in Winter, 1 swimming Pool, 1 jogging track |
| John A. Simms Park | Avon/Westminster | Named after John A. Simms, Mayor of Montreal West 1989–2002 | |
| Kirkpatrick Park | End of Easton | Named after J.J. Kirkpatrick, Mayor of Montreal West 1900 & 1906, Previously named Easton Park | 1 jungle gym |
| Memorial Park | Westminster/Ainslie | ||
| Percival Park | End of Percival | 2 baseball diamonds | |
| R.D. Paul Park (closed) | Garden/Brock | Named after Mr. R.D. Paul who built many of the homes in this section of town. He lived in this area and ran a contracting business which is now run by his son-in-law. Many members of his family still live in this area. | |
| Ronald Park | Ronald/Brock South | Named after adjacent street | |
| Roy D. Locke Park | Ballantyne/Sherbrooke Ouest | Named after Roy D. Locke, Mayor of Montreal West 1977–1989, formerly Ballantyne Park | 1 jungle gym |
| Rugby Park | Rugby/Radcliffe | Named after adjacent street | 1 jungle gym, 1 children's swimming pool |
| Sheraton Park | Cote St. Luc Rd/Sheraton | Named after adjacent street | |
| Strathearn Park | Strathearn/Parkside | Named after adjacent street, used to be called North park | 2 jungle gyms, 1 children's swimming pool |
| Toe Blake Park | Banstead/Sheraton | Named after the Montreal Canadiens star hockey player and coach who lived in the house to the South of the western section of the park | |
| ???? Park | Brock/Northview |
[edit] Notable natives and residents
- Stuart McLean, writer
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Council (English). Town of Montreal West. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
- ^ Montreal-Ouest, V. Detailed Mother Tongue (103), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data. Statistics Canada (2007-11-20). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
[edit] External links
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The external links in this article may not follow Wikipedia's content policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links. |
- Montreal West Web Page
- Montreal West Informer
- Montreal West Operatic Society
- Montreal West Children's Library
- Elizabeth Ballantyne School
- Royal West Academy
- Montreal West United Church
- St. Philip's Church
- Montreal West Scout Group
- Montreal West Curling Club
- Edinburgh School
- Diz Boarding Shop
- Bonders Bookstore
- Montreal West United Church
- Overcomers Assembly
- Montreal West Scout Group (largest in Quebec)
- Montreal West Business Directory @ iconvillage.com
- Montreal West Children's Library
- Montreal West History
