The Order of Jacques Cartier: A Secret Society in French Canada
Origins and Purpose
The Order of Jacques Cartier (L’Ordre de Jacques Cartier, OJC) was a secret society founded in 1926 in Hull, Quebec, Canada. It was created by a group of French Canadian nationalists who sought to protect and promote the interests of French Canadians in an era where English-speaking elites dominated Canadian politics, business, and social institutions.
At its core, the OJC aimed to strengthen the economic, political, and cultural power of French Catholics in Canada, countering the influence of Anglo-Protestant institutions. It operated in secrecy to shield itself from opposition and ensure its influence remained undetected by those who sought to maintain the status quo.
Structure and Operations
The Order was highly hierarchical and clandestine, modeled after the Freemasons. Members used pseudonyms and communicated in coded language to avoid detection. The group operated in cells, and only a select few at the top knew the full scope of the organization’s activities.
It sought to place loyal French Canadians in key positions in government, media, and business. Members worked behind the scenes to advance pro-French policies, secure jobs for fellow Francophones, and resist assimilation into English-speaking Canada.
Influence and Legacy
The OJC played a major role in shaping the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, a period of massive social and political change in Quebec. Many of its members became influential politicians, journalists, and civil servants who advocated for Quebec’s modernization and autonomy.
However, as Quebec nationalism became more mainstream, the need for a secret society diminished. By 1965, the Order of Jacques Cartier disbanded, as many of its goals were being openly pursued by political movements such as the Parti Québécois and institutions like the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Controversy and Secrecy
Because of its covert nature, the Order has been compared to other secret societies like the Freemasons or the Illuminati, though it was primarily focused on protecting French Canadian interests rather than global power. Critics accused it of fostering ethnic favoritism and exclusionary practices, but its supporters saw it as a necessary force against Anglo domination.
Today, the Order of Jacques Cartier remains a little-known but significant part of Canadian history, representing the underground struggle for French Canadian survival and self-determination in the 20th century.