Dorchester Square and Place du Canada – Montreal’s Historic Urban Green Spaces

Flanking each side of René-Lévesque Boulevard between Metcalfe and Peel Streets, Square Dorchester and Place du Canada form two of downtown Montreal’s most prominent urban green plazas. Though now peaceful public spaces, these areas have a layered and fascinating history.

In 1795, when Montreal was still a walled city, its original cemetery had become too small for the growing population. The land that now houses Square Dorchester and Place du Canada was selected as the site for a new cemetery.

By 1854, with urban development accelerating, city planners intended to relocate the cemetery to make way for new construction. However, concerns were raised—particularly by a local doctor—regarding the risks of moving remains of those who had died in the Cholera Epidemic of 1851, fearing potential health hazards. As a result, the relocation was halted, and the site was eventually converted into a public space in 1872.

To honor its origins, small crosses are engraved into the pathways of Place du Canada, serving as a subtle but poignant reminder of its past as a burial ground.

Originally known together as Dominion Square, the area was officially renamed in two parts:

• Square Dorchester (north of René-Lévesque Boulevard) in 1987
• Place du Canada (south of René-Lévesque Boulevard) in 1966

Located next to Windsor Station, this area once served as a central hub of civic life and remains a vibrant part of the city today. It’s surrounded by several historical and architecturally significant buildings, including:

• Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, with the Monument to Bishop Ignace Bourget
• The Sun Life Building
• The Dominion Square Building, home to Montreal’s Info-Tourism Center
• St. George’s Anglican Church
• Windsor Station
• And during warmer months, food trucks often gather nearby

Square Dorchester: A Park of Monuments

Within Square Dorchester itself, among the trees and benches, you’ll find a number of notable statues and public art installations:

• A monument to Sir Wilfrid Laurier
• The Boer War Memorial
• The Lion of Belfort, a gift from England
• A statue of Robert Burns
• The public art installation “The Bridges”

Place du Canada: History and Controversy

On the south side of René-Lévesque, Place du Canada hosts additional memorials, most notably the now-vandalized statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister. It was damaged during protests in summer 2020, reflecting growing public debate around historical monuments and colonial legacies. On my last visit, it was a cold day, and due to an active gathering in the plaza, I decided to pass through without stopping.

A Note on Names and Legacy

René-Lévesque Boulevard was once known as Dorchester Boulevard, and the square retains the Dorchester name to honor Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester. An Irish-born British officer and colonial administrator, Carleton played a crucial role in protecting French language rights and the culture of French Canadians—efforts that were formalized in the Quebec Act of 1774. He also fought in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, supported Loyalist settlers, and oversaw the division of Lower and Upper Canada.

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