City Hall - Toronto ON (Canada) - Grand Opening on Waymarking.com

This Grand Opening plaque is located inside the main floor lobby of Toronto’s City Hall and is accessible to the public, but access may be restricted during certain hours or on certain days.

About Toronto's City Hall and Nathan Philips Square:
Located at 100 Queen Street West, Toronto’s fourth city hall was constructed between 1961 and 1965 at a cost of $31 million. Construction of a new city hall building was recommended as early as 1943, a mere 44 years after the completion of Toronto’s third City Hall, an elaborate sandstone building which is now known as “Old City Hall”. However, construction of a new building was delayed due to a lack of public support and also to unsatisfactory results from the initial design competition. The final design of the building and grounds was selected as a result of an international competition which saw over 500 designs submitted from 42 countries. The “futuristic design” features two curved towers, one at 20 stories, and one at 27 stories, which surround the white disk-like council chamber. The large paved area in front of the city hall towers is known as Nathan Philips Square. It contains, among other things, a large reflecting pool (which serves as an outdoor ice rink in the winter).

About Georges P Vanier:
Georges P Vanier (1888-1967) was the first French Canadian Governor General of Canada, a role he served in from 1959 until his death in 1967. Vanier served in the Canadian military during both the First and Second World Wars, and received a number of medals for his service. He also held a number of diplomatic positions during his lifetime, including Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France. Vanier is considered to be one of the most influential figures in Canadian history. There are numerous awards, buildings and other locations named in his honour.