The Government of Canada recognizes the national historic significance of Outremont Theatre and Emmanuel Briffa

November 9, 2016                          Montréal (Quebec)                                                     Parks Canada Agency

Marc Miller, member of parliament for Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today unveiled a commemorative Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque highlighting the national historic significance of the Outremont Theatre and Emmanuel Briffa. The ceremony, which was attended by the mayor of Outremont, Marie Cinq-Mars, and many proud citizens, took place at the Outremont Theatre.

The Outremont Theatre is a fine example of a late 1920s deluxe movie theatre for its Art Deco exterior and the richness of its interior, combining atmospheric influences and elements of Art Deco style and giving theatre goers the impression of being out in the countryside.

Emmanuel Briffa (1875-1955) was an exceptional cinema decorator active from the 1920s to 1955, a particularly dynamic period for Canadian movie theatre architecture. He is credited with the interior decoration of some sixty cinemas in Canada, including the Outremont Theatre.

As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government invites Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our heritage. Canada’s national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites enable Canadians to experience their heritage in a special way and will play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150.

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Quick facts

• Located on Bernard Street in the heart of Outremont, where residential and commercial buildings come together, the Outremont Theatre officially opened on October 4, 1929.  The building was designed by architect René Charbonneau, and the interior décor was the work of painter and decorator Emmanuel Briffa.
• The Outremont Theatre served as a movie theatre from 1929 until it closed in 1987. It was well known as a repertory theatre from 1971 to 1987. Renovated and reopened in 2001, the theatre now offers the public a range of live performances and a line-up of high quality films.
• Having trained in the fine arts schools of Italy, Emmanuel Briffa adapted to the tastes of the time, creating unique works of artistic quality with original themes. The Outremont Theatre joins two other cinemas designated as national historic sites (Rialto Theatre and Granada Theatre) that testify to the exceptional talent and versatility of Emmanuel Briffa.
• Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the national historic significance of the sites, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.

Associated documents

Backgrounders:             Outremont Theatre

                                    Emmanuel Briffa

Additional links

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada 

Outremont Theatre

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Media contacts

Isabel Larivière
Project Coordinator
Mauricie and Western Quebec Field Unit
Parks Canada
Tel: 450-447-4898, ext. 178
Isabel.lariviere@pc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca