Government of Canada Commemorates Montgomery Place National Historic Site
News Release
September 17, 2017 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national parks and historic sites enable Canadians to experience their rich and varied history in a special way and play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience nature and learn more about our history.
Today, Jim Miller, Saskatchewan Member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, commemorated Montgomery Place National Historic Site with the unveiling of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) plaque. A special ceremony was held at the Montgomery Park next to the Monument of Names dedicated to the Veterans who settled in Montgomery Place.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places and events that contributed to our country’s rich diverse heritage. Located in a clearly-defined residential subdivision on the southwest edge of the city of Saskatoon, Montgomery Place is an excellent and intact illustration of the Veterans’ Land Act subdivisions established following the Second World War. The Act was a key element of the then Veterans’ Charter, which provided a wide range of benefits to Veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War, including the purchase of a home with only a small down payment.
Retaining many key elements of its original design, Montgomery Place is a tight-knit community that makes every effort to honour the original inhabitants and their wartime sacrifices. The street names, memorials, and parks create a neighbourhood of remembrance, honouring Canada’s military heritage.
As part of the centennial of national historic sites, Parks Canada invites Canadians to be inspired and captivated by the stories of the people and events that shaped the Canada of today. Take advantage of free admission to national historic sites in 2017, and discover truly Canadian places and stories with Parks Canada.
Quotes
“It’s great to see that Montgomery Place, which has become a place of remembrance, is still home to many of the original Veteran residents and their families, and is now commemorated for its national historic significance. I encourage all Canadians to take this opportunity to learn more about this landmark and its important role in our country’s history.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan,
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
“Residents of Montgomery Place are proud of the designation of their community as a National Historic Site – as one of the few Veterans Land Act communities still intact, we feel it is important to preserve this part of Canada’s history and ensure that history is kept alive for future generations and a wider audience.”
Barb Biddle
President, Montgomery Place Community Association
Quick Facts
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Montgomery Place retains many key elements of its original design including the layout, street names, green spaces, and recognizable housing plans, which contribute to the “sense of history” of a historic district.
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The streets of Montgomery Place have no sidewalks and the streets are named for Canadian wartime commanders, for ships and planes, and for battles in which the Canadian Forces participated.
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From an initial 28 homes, Montgomery Place has grown to encompass approximately 900 residences, two schools, one church, and four parks.
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Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.
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Contacts
Scott Whiting
External Relations Manager
Saskatchewan South Field Unit
Parks Canada
306-975-5814
scott.whiting@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca