Massive Riopelle mural planned
A massive mural featuring Jean-Paul Riopelle is being planned, to be created next year for the corner of Peel and Sherbrooke.
(I’m wondering whether the opportunity will not be seized to rename one of those streets for Riopelle at the same time.)
Nicole 16:32 on 2021-09-26 Permalink
“RioPeele”
DeWolf 20:26 on 2021-09-26 Permalink
Unless you reach a kind of University/Robert-Bourassa compromise, where the old name is able to survive on a portion of the street, I don’t think any of these historic street names can be changed without public uproar. Neither Sherbrooke nor Peel seem to have anything remarkably dodgy in their record. If anything, their legacies could be spun in a positive way: Sherbrooke is considered a hero for his defence of the Atlantic colonies in the War of 1812, and Peel was instrumental in the emancipation of Catholics in the UK.
Kate 21:20 on 2021-09-26 Permalink
Did Dorchester have any issues?
DeWolf 09:58 on 2021-09-27 Permalink
You mean the person? From what I understand, he was responsible for the Quebec Act, which enshrined the use of the French language and Catholic religion in Quebec, which was pretty revolutionary for a British colony at the time. That surely earns him points even among Quebec nationalists. I think it’s pretty noteworthy that after the boulevard was renamed for René-Lévesque, Dominion Square was renamed for Dorchester to keep the name around.
Kate 11:02 on 2021-09-27 Permalink
True. But I was mostly observing that it was an upset to change all those addresses on Dorchester back in the day, but it was seen as a necessary cultural gesture.