“Passionate and knowledgeable”

Roger Blanchette details Outaouais’ educational history

Samuel Poirier

Historian Roger Blanchette spoke at a dinner conference on the history of education in Outaouais presented by the Aylmer Heritage Association / l’Association du patrimoine d’Aylmer, August 17.  Blanchette is a history teacher with over 25 years’ service in the region’s CEGEPs.

 

The conference took place at Pub Le Maçon, in old Aylmer, where attendees enjoyed a three-course meal as part of the event.

About 30 people attended Mr Blanchette’s in-depth look at the root of several education problems, specifically in the Outaouais. In his view, in 1838, the Pontiac became anglicized because of a deal made between the francophone clergy, who wanted to maintain their influence over their communities, and the British government, that wanted to isolate certain religious leaders. Mr Blanchette discussed laws passed to restrict the French population who were, typically, less wealthy than many anglophones at the time. His opinion was a mix of nationalism with an analysis of the social classes that formed the Outaouais.

Several of those present commented that Mr Blanchette’s talk was both passionate and informative and that his amusing manner helped lighten the seriousness of the subject in the region.