A triangular plaza once located approximately at the site of today's Confederation Square was (originally) named after Governor General Connaught.

[4] Two prime ministers had promoted the beautification of the capital city, Wilfrid Laurier from 1896 to 1911 and William Lyon Mackenzie King whose first term began in 1921.

King invited French architect Jacques Gréber to help with the design for a square which would include a war memorial.

King had plans involving widening Elgin Street even by 1927, with hopes of bringing emphasis to the Parliament Hill.

[7] In 1937, Greber visited Ottawa but disagreed with King on the placement of the war memorial, for fear of traffic problems.

The Royal Bank of Canada building (once James Hope and Company) at the northwest corner of Elgin and Sparks had been removed (for the new Post Office).