Surely, the walls of Pavillon Lionel-Groulx hold stories worth uncovering. This nine-story building stands on the main campus of Universit de Montral. It bears the name of Father Lionel Groulx.
Groulx was a prominent figure in French Canada during the early to mid-20th century. He was one of the best-known historians of his time. Universit de Montral decided to keep the Pavillon Lionel-Groulx name. This decision came after a review by the university’s toponymy committee. The committee considered Groulx’s legacy.
In July 2020, faculty members of the university’s history department requested a revision. They condemned some of Groulx’s writings. They accused him of lacking intellectual integrity. The committee met with people holding opposing views. A majority voted to retain the name. They recognized Groulx’s role as a pioneer. The university decided to contextualize this recognition. They cast a critical eye on controversial aspects of his work.
Groulx founded the Institut d’histoire. It became the university’s Department of History in 1962. He significantly contributed to the professionalization of historical studies. He was the first holder of a Canadian history chair. He founded the Acadmie canadienne-franaise. He also established the Institut d’histoire de l’Amrique franaise. His contemporaries considered him a leading thinker on Quebec society. They saw him as an eminent academic.
Some of Groulx’s positions contrast with modern-day values. These especially relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experts consulted by the committee shared their views. The racism, misogyny, and anti-Semitism in Groulx’s work were not central to his thought. Father Groulx reflected the dominant thinking of his time. He echoed prejudices common among Roman Catholic intellectuals. The clergy held considerable influence in Quebec and academia then.
Groulx used pseudonyms to sign reviews of his own work. This was a common practice then. It could be explained by Groulx’s contentious positions. These views sometimes put him at odds with the Catholic Church and its clergy.
The governing council adopted principles for renaming requests in June 2021. The committee conducted a thorough review of the Pavillon Lionel-Groulx request. They based this on their principles and procedure. They considered general principles on naming at the university. They met with faculty who requested the name change. They sought advice from experts on Groulx’s work.
The committee concluded that Groulx’s legacy deserves recognition. It is very much a part of the university’s history. Recognizing Groulx’s influence is not incompatible with acknowledging the negative nature of some of his positions.
A public art project contextualizes Groulx’s legacy. It is a modular installation near Pavillon Lionel-Groulx. Contemporary artist Ludovic Boney created the work. It serves as a place to relax and a space for dialogue. An explanatory plaque invites contemplation and reflection. The university launched a public art competition in the winter of 2023. The aim was to engage with Groulx’s intellectual and political legacy. Boney’s work was selected. It is called Parallaxe.
Parallaxe evokes the complexity of thought. The modules reflect multiple viewpoints. It is a labyrinthine work. It offers fresh outlooks. It prompts a fresh interpretation each time. People are invited to interact with the installation. Perspective is very important. The openings disclose new lines of sight. It is an invitation to explore multiple perceptions of the same reality.