The Laura Secord Building commemorates the Upper Canada Heroine's role in the pivotal Battle of Beaver Dams in June of 1813. As part of the Bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812, the Federal Government decided to rename buildings after prominent figures from the war. According to Caroline McCormick, a direct descendant of Laura Secord, Laura spent about half of her journey in the St. Catharines area where her namesake building is located.
The original tenants of the Laura Secord Building were Canada Post. In 2005, the building was renovated to accommodate the Canada Revenue Agency, which currently operates the St. Catharines Tax Office at 32 Church Street.
The initiative to rename federal buildings in Ontario and Quebec after prominent Canadian figures in the War of 1812 was done to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812. Originally 32 Church Street was destined to be named the Sir Isaac Brock building but after some protest by the Parks Canada manager about possible confusion with Brock University, which has been expanding its campus to downtown St. Catharines, the building was chosen to be named after Laura Secord.
Public Works and Government Services Canada. (2012). Laura Secord Building. http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/comm/vedette-features/de-bn/de-bn-01-eng.html
Government of Canada. (2012- October 29). Harper Government Commemorates Laura Secord and the War of 1812. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=703759
Niagara This Week. (2012-November 6). Federal Building Renamed in Laura Secord's Honour. http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3269082-fed-building-renamed-in-laura-secord-s-honour/
Metro News. (2013-January 20). Public Could Misake Laura Secord Building for Candy Store. http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/516672/public-could-mistake-laura-secord-building-for-candy-store-feds-feared/