BRENDA O’FARRELL
The 1510 West
Following in the tradition of Kirkland mayors before him, Michel Gibson has been given a key role in the 2025 Montreal St. Patrick’s Parade, being named Chief Reviewing Officer where he will preside over the 200th edition of the longest running St. Paddy’s Parade in Canada.
“It is a great, great honour, not only for me, but for my residents and my ancestors,” Gibson said in an interview with The 1510 West last Saturday.
Gibson received his official green sash, which he will wear in the parade, earlier this month.
“You now join a long list of distinguished individuals who have played an integral role in the history of this beloved event,” said Lori Morrison, president of the United Irish Societies of Montreal in a letter announcing Gibson’s appointment.
“As Chief Reviewing Officer, you will be part of a tradition that stretches back over two centuries, a role filled by civic leaders, dignitaries and individuals who have demonstrated a deep connection to our city and its Irish community,” Morrison stated.
In fact, two previous mayors of Kirkland have played key roles in the parade, an event organized by the United Irish Societies of Montreal.
In 1988 Sam Elkas, who was the mayor of Kirkland from 1975 to 1989 before representing the West Island riding of Robert-Baldwin from 1989 to 1994, was Chief Reviewing Officer of the 1988 parade, while John Meaney, who was mayor of Kirkland from 1994 to 2013, was the Grand Marshal of the 2008 parade. Meaney died in 2021.
Gibson’s Irish roots date back generations. Although the first Gibsons to come to Canada stemmed from Scotland, his great-grandfather, James Gibson Jr., married an Irish girl, Margaret Hayes. Michel Gibson organized a large family gathering in 2003 to celebrate the family’s Irish and Scottish roots that included a visit to Grosse Île, an island in the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City that served as an immigration depot and quarantine station. From 1832 to 1848, it is estimated that about half a million Irish immigrants passed through Grosse IÎe on their way to Canada. More than 3,000 Irish died on the island and more than 5,000 are buried there, including those who did not survive their voyage to Canada. The island today is a national historic site.