History Westmount,_Quebec

hurtubise house

from moment first french colonists settled in area in middle of seventeenth century, area known several names including la petite montagne, notre-dame-de-grâce , côte-saint-antoine. former farmhouse era, hurtubise house, still stands , under renovation.

the village of côte st-antoine first incorporated in 1874. later became town of côte st-antoine.

it renamed westmount, in 1895, reflecting geographical location of city on southwest slope of mount royal , presence of large english-speaking population.

during twentieth century, westmount became wealthy montreal suburb; small city dotted many green spaces. architect robert findlay, resident in twentieth century, designed many municipal buildings in city, including library, westmount city hall , several other buildings of public order.

in twentieth century, westmount home of montreal s wealthiest families including bronfmans , molsons. made city symbolic target of front de libération du québec terrorist bombings in 1960s, culminating in 1970 october crisis.

following death of former quebec premier rené lévesque in 1987, city of montreal renamed dorchester boulevard rené lévesque boulevard. after city of montreal changed name, westmount retained name of dorchester on portion, did montréal-est.

mies van der rohe s westmount square.



merger montreal

in 2001, while trying prevent westmount being amalgamated city of montreal, westmount mayor peter trent , city council asserted city designated anglophone institution , should not merged francophone greater montreal. in response opposition, municipal affairs minister louise harel said westmount s resistance reeked of colonialism , opposition ethnic project , statements refuse apologize. when asked comment, quebec premier bernard landry said minister had full support , opposition little more quebec bashing. several federalist public figures criticized landry s statement: jean charest called insulting intelligence of citizens of quebec; joseph gabary, president of quebec chapter of canadian jewish congress, called language crude ; alliance quebec criticized premier singling out city special criticism.

on january 1, 2002, part of 2002–2006 municipal reorganization of montreal, merged city of montreal , became borough. however, after change of government , 2004 referendum, re-constituted independent city on january 1, 2006. nevertheless, remains part of urban agglomeration of montreal , bulk of municipal taxes go agglomeration council, oversees activities common municipalities on island of montreal (e.g. police, fire protection, public transit) after demerger.