Édifice
Jean Talon, Quebec City, Canada
Architect
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Tessier, Corriveau,
St-Gelais, Tremblay, Tremblay Labbé
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Date Built
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1969 and 1972
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Location
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875 Grande Allée
Est
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Description
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The buildings on Parliament Hill in
Quebec City are all named after people famous
for their historical connections to
Quebec. They are also designated with
letters of the alphabet and Buildings H and J
are correctly known as the Jean Talon Building
although, apparently, they are more commonly
referred to as Buildings H and J. A casual
glance at this imposing building, on the Grande
Allé East side, would lead you to think it is
actually one building but in fact the Building J
portion is a small square appendage in the
north-east corner.
This is one of a number of office buildings,
arranged around the Quebec Parliament,
accommodating the various elements of the Quebec
Government. According to a government
website, it is home in 2013 to the, "Executive
Council Office that supports the Prime
Minister and the Council of Ministers in
their role as head of state. It occupies a
strategic position in the organization of
the Quebec government."
I gather that this is something of an unloved
building perhaps because of its daunting
appearance making it look rather
bunker-like. Apparently in 2001 Bernard
Landry, the then Premier of Quebec" described
the building as a, " ... horror that
dishonors the aesthetics of one of the most
beautiful cities in the world."
The building is named after Jean Talon
Talon who was appointed by King Louis XIV of France
to serve as the Intendant of Justice, Public
Order and Finances in Canada, Acadia and
Newfoundland between 1665 and 1672.
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