Vimy memorial in NDG park inaugurated on 100th anniversary of battle

A section of Notre-Dame-de-Grce Park was officially inaugurated as Place de Vimyon Sunday afternoon at a ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge.

Six bronze plaques illustrating the ties between Montreal and the battle of Vimy Ridge were unveiled.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said it will be a place of remembrance for the men who lost their lives.

• The overnight battle on Vimy Ridge that gave the Montreal Crater its name

Canada lost 3,600 soldiers and more than 7,000 were injured during the three-day battle, which began on April 9, 1917.

Russell Copeman, borough mayor of Cte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grce, believes the area will be a peaceful place of contemplation for passersby.

Work will be done over the summer to finish the site, including the reconstruction of certain paths.

Named following controversy in Outremont

In June2016, the borough of Outremontsoughtpermission to change the name of one of its neighbourhood parks from Vimy Park to Jacques-Parizeau Park. Both Montreal's executive committee and city councilgave their approval.

Former Quebec premier Jacques Parizeau had lived for years on a street adjoining the small park.

One critic called the move to rename Vimy Park after Parizeau, who nearly led Quebec to sovereignty in 1995, a "political jab trying to stir up the English community."

• Quebec's only Vimy Ridge Victoria Cross winner felt cheated of 2nd VC, son says

In September the City of Montreal and the borough ofCte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grceannounced the creation ofPlace deVimy in Notre-Dame-de-Grce Park.

A month later Outremont held a small ceremony to make the name change official.