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Controversy Surrounds the Legacy of Lionel Groulx in Quebec

The debate over historical figures and their legacies continues to intensify in Quebec, with an increasing number of municipalities and institutions evaluating whether to remove the name of priest and historian Lionel Groulx from public spaces. This scrutiny follows a similar backlash against Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, whose statue was pulled down by activists in Montreal in 2020 due to his involvement in the residential school system.

This year, the history organization founded by Groulx in 1946 decided to rename its prestigious annual award after consulting its members, about 60 percent of whom supported the change. The organization, the Institut d’histoire de l’Amérique française, released a document stating, “Today, with the recognition of diversity and the necessary reversal of perspectives towards colonialism in Quebec, the name of Groulx can hardly act as a unifier.”

In remarks to the press, Thomas Wien, the president of the institute, described Groulx as an “eminently complex and fascinating” individual. Born in 1878 near Montreal, Groulx was influential as a historian and a nationalist who contributed significantly to Quebec’s cultural pride. He is known for coining the phrase “maîtres chez nous” (“masters in our own house”), which later became a key slogan during the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s.

Despite his contributions, historians have acknowledged that Groulx’s perspective was marked by conservative nationalism and were “tinged with racism and antisemitism.” Wien noted Groulx’s perception of French-Canadian Catholics as a “chosen people” was indicative of his controversial views.

While some observers see parallels between Groulx and Macdonald, Wien argues that their legacies differ significantly. He posits that Macdonald directly contributed to the oppression of Indigenous Peoples, while Groulx’s historical role is more nuanced. However, he does agree that Groulx faced criticism even during his lifetime, challenging the notion that modern interpretations are overly harsh.

Debate Over Recognition and Remembrance

Disagreements abound over the decision to rename awards and buildings associated with Groulx. Éric Bedard, a historian familiar with Groulx’s work, expressed confusion regarding the decision to remove his name, arguing that the significance of the award was based on Groulx’s contributions to historiography rather than his less favorable views.

Of the approximately 20 municipalities in Quebec bearing Groulx’s name, only two—Gatineau and Ste-Julie—have initiated discussions about potential name changes. In Montreal, more than 26,000 signatures were gathered in 2020 for renaming the Lionel-Groulx subway station after jazz musician Oscar Peterson. Nevertheless, city officials opted to retain the name, concluding that there was not enough consensus regarding Groulx’s legacy.

The Université de Montréal revisited the name of the Lionel-Groulx building after receiving requests from several history professors. Ultimately, the university decided to retain the name while emphasizing a critical examination of his controversial aspects. Their statement acknowledged that while some views of Groulx were not in alignment with modern values concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion, many experts believed that his more problematic opinions were not central to his historical significance.

Jean-François Gaudreault-Desbiens, the vice-rector of the Université de Montréal, highlighted that most historians consulted concluded that Groulx’s problematic notions reflected the prejudices prevalent in his time. The university is responding to this debate by commissioning a public art installation from Huron-Wendat artist Ludovic Boney, titled “Parallaxe.” This installation seeks to prompt reflection on Groulx’s legacy from multiple perspectives, promoting a deeper understanding of historical complexities.

The ongoing discussions surrounding Groulx and figures like Macdonald illustrate the evolving nature of historical interpretation as societies strive to reconciling with contentious legacies.

Source
globalnews.ca