Citizen alert
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Published on : June 12 2018
Last modified on : July 16 2025
Alert submitted by: Susan Weaver
The Veterans’ sector was established after the Second World War under the Veterans’ Land Act (1942), which was part of Canada’s veteran rehabilitation program. Veterans were encouraged to purchase small properties (half-acre lots) with houses. Originally, the lot size was intended to allow veterans to save money by growing their own fruits and vegetables. Over time, the program evolved. Starting in 1950, veterans were allowed to purchase land and build their own homes. Over the years, properties changed ownership, and some of the original half-acre lots were subdivided.
veterans-area-map
In 2005, a study was conducted by the firm Patri-Arch in collaboration with the City of Pointe-Claire, the City of Montreal, and Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and Communications. The recommendations for the Veterans’ sector were as follows: care should be taken to preserve lot sizes, the natural setting, and the simplicity of the architecture. The subdivision of large lots and the demolition of the most characteristic houses in the area should be avoided. These recommendations were not followed.
In 2010, Pointe-Claire adopted a new urban plan that allowed for lot subdivision and the construction of large houses. To date, this sector has already lost much of its original character and, if demolitions continue, it will soon be unrecognizable. This area of Pointe-Claire is bordered by Maywood, Braebrook, and Delmar Avenues and includes Saint-Louis Avenue.
The Veterans’ sector has been included in Pointe-Claire’s Site Planning and Architectural Integration Program (PIIA) as an “older sector.” This means that all permit and demolition requests are reviewed by the Urban Planning Advisory Committee and the Demolition Committee.
How do you see this Montreal site? What legacy has it left us? What future can we create for it? Where to start to get there? Who wants to participate in the project?
You have questions? Want to do more, but lack the information? Consult our toolkit to learn more about the heritage of the Montreal metropolitan area, the preservation mechanisms in place and possible actions.
