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Montréal-Ouest

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Montréal-Ouest, Quebec
Town
Town of Montréal-Ouest
Nickname: 
The Garden Suburb
Location of Montréal-Ouest on the Island of Montréal. (Grey areas indicate demerged municipalities).
Location of Montréal-Ouest on the Island of Montréal.
(Grey areas indicate demerged municipalities).
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionMontreal (06)
Founded1897
Electoral Districts
Federal

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine
ProvincialNotre-Dame-de-Grâce
Government
 • MayorCampbell Stuart
 • Federal MP(s)Marlene Jennings (LIB)
 • Quebec MNA(s)Kathleen Weil (PLQ)
Area
 • Total
1.41 km2 (0.54 sq mi)
Population
 (2006)[4]
 • Total
5,184
 • Density3,684.7/km2 (9,543/sq mi)
 • Change (2001-06)
Increase0.2%
 • Dwellings
1,928
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
Area code514/438
Access Routes[5]
A-20

R-138
Websitewww.montreal-west.ca

Montréal-Ouest (for French : Montreal West) 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 Montréal-Ouest was re-established as a town on January 1, 2006.

Also known as "MoWest", Montréal-Ouest 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 1.6 km². About 85% of the population of Montréal-Ouest use English as their first language.

Montréal-Ouest 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 Montréal-Ouest Operatic Society. Clay tennis courts, the Montréal-Ouest Curling Club, a swimming pool, and an indoor ice rink are also highlights of the town.

Politics and government

City Council

The Town of Montréal-Ouest is served by its mayor, Campbell Stuart and four city councillors.[6]

  1. Colleen Feeney (Finance and Administration)
  2. Beny Masella (Public Security)
  3. Joe Mckenzie (Public Works)
  4. Elizabeth Ulin (Recreation and Cultural Services)

List of mayors

File:Mowest Logo 4.jpg
The Montreal West Emblem in English and French
File:Mowest Logo 2.jpg
File:Mowest Logo 3.jpg
Logo used for Centennial Celebrations

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 Kirkpatrick [SON OF MAYOR J.J. KIRKPATRICK]
1965–1973 - Robert Arthur McQueen
1973–1977 - Alistair Reekie
1977–1989 - Roy D. Locke
1989–2001 - John A. Simms
2002–2005 - Part of the city of Montreal
2006–present - Campbell Stuart

Federal and provincial politics

The Town of Montréal-Ouest 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, Montréal-Ouest 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 Kathleen Weil.

Demographics

Mother Tongue[7] 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%


Events

Canada Day

Canada Day is the largest community event of the year in Montréal-Ouest. 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.

The Montreal West Canada Day Parade making its way along Westminster Avenue
A Remembrance Day ceremony in Montreal West

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.

Fête Nationale du Québec

Annually on June 24 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.

Garbage Bowl

The Garbage Bowl is a yearly tradition held every January 1, where men from Montréal-Ouest 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.

Associations & Clubs

  • 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 Québec. It has over 300 members and has four sheets of curling ice.
  • Montréal-Ouest Tennis Club
    • 4 Clay courts

Education

Montréal-Ouest has one Anglophone high school, Royal West Academy. 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.

Public Places

The town of Montréal-Ouest 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.

Public Transportation

Montréal-Ouest 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 Montréal on one end, and three different routes heading away from the city at the other end.

Local establishments

The core business area of Montréal-Ouest is located on Westminster Avenue between Milner and Curzon. It consists 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 Westminster, the local snack bar, is popular with the lunch time crowd at Royal West Academy. Bistro Westminster, formerly Omiros, is a well-freqented hangout for the neighborhood's baby boomers.[citation needed]

Religious Sanctuaries

Montréal-Ouest 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 Montréal-Ouest United Church also rents space to a Pentecostal service (Overcomers Assembly).

Parks

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 Montréal-Ouest 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 Montréal-Ouest 1900 & 1906, AND Everett Kirkpatrick,Mayor 1963-1965. 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

Notable natives and residents

References

  1. ^ Ministère des Affaires Municipales et Régions: Montréal-Ouest
  2. ^ Parliament of Canada Federal Riding History: NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE--LACHINE (Quebec)
  3. ^ Chief Electoral Officer of Québec - 40th General Election Riding Results: NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE
  4. ^ a b 2006 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Montréal-Ouest, Quebec
  5. ^ Official Transport Quebec Road Map
  6. ^ "The Council". Town of Montreal West. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  7. ^ "Montréal-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 2008-02-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

See also