This monument to Sir Georges Etienne Cartier, which stands to the immediate west of the Centre Block, was the first bronze statue erected on Parliament Hill. Louis-Philippe Hébert, a Quebec sculptor, created and completed the monument in 1885.
This monument is imposing from a size and height perspective. It stands approximatly 28 feet high. The statue and base being approximatly 12 and 16 feet high respectively. Cartier has his right arm extended and his right index finger pointing at an unfurled sheaf of paper (legislation perhaps) or maybe an opened newspaper. He is wearing a long jacket and coat.
The granite pedestal is described as follows (Measurements are approximate):
- a 4X4 foot granite pedestal immediately under the bronze pedestal which is part of the bronze statue
- 3 square pieces of beveled granite that increase in size in descending order, i.e., 4X4, 5X5 and 6X6 foot
- Under the last piece of beveled granite is a sculpted ornamentation in a twisted rope motif
- a square 6X6X3 foot block of granite follows with the word: "Cartier" inscribed on it.
- At the base of this block of granite is a beveled piece of granite that goes around the monument
- Then follows a three tiered granite base of different sizes, i.e., 6X6, 8X8 and 10X10 foot
- Under the largest and last granite square of the base is a paved stone foundation.
Sir Georges Etienne Cartier:
Cartier was born at St.-Antoine-sur-Richelieu in Lower Canada on September 6, 1814. He came from a wealthy family who claimed to be very distant relatives of the famous French explorer Jacques Cartier. He became a lawyer in 1835 and also got involved in the railway business. Cartier became active in politics in 1848 when he was first elected as a member of the Province of Canada's Assembly. He later became leader of a political party called the Parti Bleu that joined with the Conservative Party of Upper Canada.
John A. Macdonald led the Conservatives, and together he and Cartier were co-prime ministers of the Province of Canada. The two of them believed that forming a new, bigger country was the answer to the province's problems. Cartier was responsible for convincing most French Canadians that Confederation would be good for French Canada, as it would make Quebec a separate province. He died on May 20, 1873.
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