LETTER

Mr Blanchette’s talk on education, August 16

 

West Quebec has always faced a distant government in Quebec City that failed to provide adequate funding for secondary and higher education, possibly because it was perceived that this could be accessed across the river in Ottawa.  Roger Blanchette made and reiterated this point, but solely in relation to the francophone experience.  Throughout his talk he chose not to include or acknowledge the experience of Outaouais anglophones from the time of the founding settlement and development of the region by English-speaking pioneers, through to the uninterrupted anglophone presence in the Outaouais today.  In fact, the 200-year history of education in the Outaouais has been one of a continuing struggle for adequate resources for both its francophone and anglophone communities.

Mr Blanchette made several references to “snobistes” who sent their sons and daughters to Ottawa for secondary and higher education.  He lamented that for many decades, in the villages of the Outaouais, children were taught “only by women”. Further, he disparaged the MacLaren and Eddy companies - the Outaouais’ two major employers during the 20th century - calling them out for exploiting workers. (Worker exploitation is a different subject; and until workers were successful in securing the right to bargain, and people elected governments who were enlightened enough to legislate fair labour practices and a minimum wage, employers across the province, whether francophone or anglophone, ‘exploited’ their workers.)

We expect Aylmer Heritage Association to have an objective approach, with appropriate historical context, to any heritage-related subject selected for discussion. Instead we were given, at best, a biased interpretation of the history of education in the Outaouais and, at worst, a discourse of prejudice, including elements of misogyny, anti-English sentiment and class-war rhetoric.

Roger Blanchette’s entertaining stories on radio have been enjoyed by a wide regional audience; he is free to express his opinions and the audience knows that he speaks for himself. At an Aylmer Heritage Association event, unless the research has been carried out and sources identified by the Association, it should be made clear that ‘history’ expressed by a guest speaker represents that speaker’s perspective, and may not represent the views of the Association. This could have been stated in the promotional material, and in the introduction and conclusion of the talk.  Perhaps Mr Blanchette believes it entertaining to inject controversy into his presentations, and to be selective with his facts simply to engage his audience, but it does not do the subject justice, neither does it serve the Association well.

Aylmer Heritage Association has built a reputation, over more than 40 years, for sound historical research. It has done this in the context of its mandate to “preserve and promote a greater understanding of the value of the Outaouais’ heritage (its buildings, history, culture, and green spaces) to the quality of life in the community”. In carrying out its mandate, AHA/APA has focussed on the legacy of both anglophones and francophones, recognizing their contribution and co-operative role in the development of today’s culturally rich and thriving Outaouais communities.

As an active Association member for more than 30 years, I hope that the Board will review how best to maintain the Association’s credibility.

It was a great pleasure to see the old Conroy House, “Lakeview”, beautifully restored and once again upholding the special ambience of rue Principale.

With thanks for all that you do to preserve the Ville de Gatineau’s heritage, particularly in the Aylmer sector.

Enid Page
Former AHA/APA President and Archivist