Government of Canada honors Paul-Émile Borduas as a national historic figure
- Paul-Émile Borduas was born in 1905 in Saint-Hilaire, Quebec.
- He played a pivotal role in the Automatistes movement and faced professional challenges due to his views.
- Canada's recognition of Borduas emphasizes his significance in the history of Canadian art.
On November 28, 2024, in Montreal, Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the designation of Paul-Émile Borduas as a person of national historic significance under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration. Borduas was born in 1905 in Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, and is recognized for his contributions to abstract art in Canada. His radical manifesto and work within the Automatistes movement marked a significant turning point in Canadian art during the 1940s. Borduas faced professional consequences, including losing his teaching position due to his dissenting views, but his legacy includes representing Canada at numerous international exhibitions, enhancing his impact on both Canadian and global art. The designation aims to help Canadians better connect with their cultural history and recognize the importance of Borduas’s artistic contributions in shaping Quebec and modern Canada.