Inauguration of the Douglas Firstbrook Ellis Memorial Garden

A plaque installed in the centre of the garden recalls the significance of this place. It reads: 

"This garden is named in honour of Douglas ("Dougie") Firstbrook Ellis, one of many young boys who were sexually abused by a senior employee of the City of Westmount Department of Sports and Recreation from the 1950s to the 1990s. Dougie, a hockey phenom, suffered greatly throughout his life from the trauma of the abuse, and his life was cut short.

Through this memorial, our hope is to honour all those who survived abused, to raise awareness and to remind our community of the need to be vigilant and to work together to keep our children safe."

The official inauguration was held on Friday, August 29, attended by approximately one hundred guests, including the Ellis family, lawyers, individuals affected by abuse, and City Council. In her speech, Mayor Christina M. Smith emphasized the shared responsibility of all members of the community to ensure the safety of children. This garden is intended to be a place of remembrance and reflection, marking a significant step in the collective recognition and healing process in the face of these trials.