The official opposition in Montreal wants the city to highlight the contribution of Dr. Henri Morgentaler, one of the pioneers of abortion rights, by renaming a park in his honor.
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“By doing our research, we realized that there is no place in Montreal, and in the rest of Canada, where Dr. Morgentaler was represented in toponymy,” explained Julien Hénault-Ratelle, adviser de Ville in the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
Dr. Morgentaler is best known for his fight for the right to abortion, for which he went to the Supreme Court in 1988. It was following his legal victory that the Abortion has been decriminalized at the federal level.
A Holocaust survivor, he immigrated to Canada in 1950, then studied medicine at the University of Montreal. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work. He died in 2013.
The official opposition in Montreal proposes to rename Beaujeu Park in its honor, having already obtained the support of the heirs of the late doctor.
“It’s one street from where [sa] first clinic,” emphasized Mr. Hénault-Ratelle.
Last fall, the party tabled a motion to this effect at the Mercier – Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough council, the proposal receiving the approval of the toponymy committee.
“Since then, the file has unfortunately been lost in the files of the meander of the administration,” added Mr. Hénault-Ratelle, who wants to revive the file.
At the City of Montreal, we assure that the recommendation “is following its course” and that it is currently under study.
“The City of Montreal considers it essential to put in place an improved mechanism for toponymy. The new Recognition Intervention Framework will be a major step forward that will allow for a more neutral and comprehensive assessment of the various nomination suggestions,” said Alicia Dufour, press officer in the mayor’s office.
She indicated that toponymy requests will be able to benefit from this new Intervention Framework “in the coming weeks”.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com