It is time to put an end to the moratorium on the changes of names of the metro stations in Montreal decreed in 2006, estimates the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal (SSJB). The organization, which requested that the name of Marcelle Ferron be added to that of the Champ-de-Mars station, which has a glass roof made by the artist, has suffered a refusal of the Montreal Transport Society (STM). However, it remains open to reviewing its policy.
women are little present in Montreal toponymy. They are even less visible in the Montreal metro since only 3 of the 68 network stations have names inspired by women (square-victoria-oaci, Villa-Maria and Côte-Sainte-Catherine).
The SSJB thus wanted to honor the memory of Marcelle Ferron, painter specializing in stained glass and co -signer of the manifesto Global refusal. With the support of the Ferron family, the organization asked that the name of the Champ-de-Mars station will be modified for that of “Champ-de-Mars-Marcelle-Ferron”.
“With the convictions she had, this great pioneer lady that is Marcelle Ferron transformed art into Quebec. […] I think the STM has a [occasion] To be seized to make this change, ”explains Marie-Anne Alepin, President General of the SSJB. “The canopy of this station is its flagship work and it must be known to the younger generations. »»
Questioning the moratorium
The response of the STM was however without appeal. In his letter to Mme Alepin, the President of the BO of the STM, Éric Alan Caldwell, invokes the Moratory of 2006 and the costs linked to such changes in a difficult budgetary context to explain the rejection of the request of the SSJB.
Since 2006, the STM has only derogated from its policy once, when the acronym of the organization of international civil aviation has been added on behalf of the Square-Victoria station, as part of discussions for the maintenance of the UN organization in the metropolis. This privilege, which was first refused by the STM, cost $ 125,000.
-In recent years, other name changes have been refused, including “Beaudry-Village” and “Oscar-Peterson”. Since 2019, the STM says it has received four requests in all.
The company does not close the door to a questioning of its moratorium. Last March, the CA of the STM asked its organization to “initiate a reflection” to “develop the names of the stations” and establish criteria on this question, indicates to the Duty Éric Alan Caldwell. “We will not rename stations in the room, but we will question this 2006 moratorium which is already 20 years old. It will be a rigorous approach where authorities in this area will be consulted. […] But it will not be in the short term, ”he warns.
Until then, the STM intends to favor names of women and members of the minority and indigenous cultural communities for new stations on the blue line.
“Repair history”
This position does not satisfy Marie-Anne Alepin. The words “start” and “reflection” are insufficient in his eyes. “We exceeded this stage in 2025. Women are not present in Montreal’s toponymy and we must repair the story,” she said. You have to burst the glass ceiling. I think the STM can do it. »»
According to her, the STM could proceed in steps, to change the name of the station in the audio messages of the metro and on its website, before modifying the name in the station. If the cost is an obstacle, the SSJB could launch a fundraising campaign, she suggests. “You have to find all possible ways so that women are present. »»
In search of new income, the STM had planned, in 2010, to have its metro lines sponsored, a proposal perceived by users as a sacrilege. The idea had finally been abandoned. Still struggling with under-funding problems, the STM does not plan to return to such a proposal, any more that it would change the names of stations for the benefit of sponsors. “The metro is a public heritage. It is not a heritage for sale, ”underlines Mr. Caldwell.
