Dorchester Square (originally Dominion Square) is a large urban square in downtown Montreal. Together with Place du Canada, the area is just over 21,000 m2[1] or 2.1 ha of manicured and protected urban parkland bordered by René Lévesque Boulevard to the south, Peel Street to the west, Metcalfe to the east and Dominion Square to the north. The square is open to the public 24 hours a day and forms a focal point for pedestrian traffic in the city. Until the creation of Place du Canada in 1967, the name Dominion Square had been applied to the entire area.

Land acquisition to build the square began in 1872 and the site was inaugurated in 1878, not being thoroughly completed until 1892. The square has four statues and a kiosk, and was originally arranged to form a five point equilateral cross.

The square has recently been thoroughly renovated, with the removal of a flower stand on the southwest corner, the renovation of all monuments, new benches, garbage cans and a lighting scheme which has greatly improved the safety of the square after dark. In addition, some lights are pointed shine on the foliage of the many trees, allowing for an interesting nocturnal green-glow in the summer months. A planned renovation of Place du Canada has begun with renovations of the John A. Macdonald monument and the Cenotaph. A further renovation of Dominion Square street, including the bus/taxi parking area, subterranean garage entrance and exit and the kiosk is planned, and it is likely the square may be expanded with Dominion Square street converted for pedestrian use.
(Wikipedia)