This pleasant little triangle and its statue are in memory of Dr. Norman Bethune (1890-1939), one of Canada's most famous humanitarian doctors. He served against Franco in the Spanish Civil War, during which he organized the first mobile blood-transfusion service. His most noted contribution, however, was during the Sino-Japanese war, where he served as a "barefoot doctor" caring for Chinese soldiers fighting against the Japanese invasion. While in China he died of blood poisoning, which he contracted while caring for soldiers on the battlefield. The statue in this park was offered to Canada in 1978 by the government of China, where he is still regarded as a hero.

Place Norman-Bethune is the best place for pigeons in all of Montreal.