The Vanier Museopark will present its new temporary exhibition dedicated to the Order of Jacques Cartier, inviting the public to relive the codes, rituals and secrets of this mysterious organization founded in Eastview in 1926.
OTTAWA, October 15, 2026 – On October 22, 1926, in Saint-Charles Parish in Eastview, three men laid the foundations for what would become the Ordre de Jacques Cartier: Father François-Xavier Barrette, civil engineer Albert Ménard, and Émile Lavoie. At a time when Francophones faced significant disadvantages in the federal public service and their educational rights were under threat, they decided to take action by creating a discreet organization to bring together influential French Canadians and defend the interests of their community.
Known as “la Patente,” the organization was distinguished by its secretive nature. Coded signs, passwords, rituals, and local cells known as “commanderies” allowed its members to operate behind the scenes. For many of them, membership in the Order would remain a secret throughout their lives.
An Immersive Look at the Order’s Codes and Rituals
Nearly a century after its founding, the Vanier Museopark invites the public to uncover the secrets of this organization and better understand how it operated. Through the exhibition The Order of Jacques Cartier: 100 Years of Mystery and Influence, visitors will relive the Order’s initiation process and discover its codes, rituals, secrets, and role in defending Francophone interests in Canada.
The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to relive the Order’s initiation process and explore the steps and practices involved in becoming a member of this mysterious organization. It is an opportunity to discover a fascinating chapter in Francophone history, closely connected to the history of Vanier and Ottawa.
“This exhibition allows us to share an important part of our local history and highlight the role played by those who mobilized to defend the interests of the Francophone community.” — Yves Turbide, Executive Director of the Vanier Museopark
“Beyond the mystery surrounding the Order, its codes and rituals reflect a distinctive way of organizing and operating. The exhibition helps the public better understand how the Order functioned and the historical context in which it emerged.”— Yanick Labossière, Curator of the Vanier Museopark
Exhibition Inauguration and Public Opening
The exhibition will be inaugurated on October 29, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., and will then be presented to the public until spring 2028.
Practical Information
- Exhibition: The Order of Jacques Cartier: 100 Years of Mystery and Influence
- Dates: October 30, 2026, to spring 2028
- Location: Vanier Museopark (300 des Pères-Blancs Avenue, 2nd floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1L 7L5)
- Museum Admission
- Website
- Learn More About the Exhibition
About the Vanier Museopark
The Vanier Museopark is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Vanier, an Ottawa neighbourhood just minutes from downtown. It celebrates the rich heritage and history of its community. Through its exhibitions, workshops, school programs, interpretive tours, and diverse public programming, it invites people of all ages and cultural backgrounds to discover the history, traditions, and heritage of the local Francophone community.
As Ottawa’s only Francophone museum, the Vanier Museopark is also one of the few museums in Canada dedicated entirely to Francophone communities outside Quebec. The Museopark operates an authentic sugar shack in the heart of an urban maple forest, the only one of its kind in Canada. It also hosts the Sugar Festival, an annual event that promotes maple syrup culture, showcases Franco-Ontarian and Indigenous artists, and offers a wide range of popular family activities.
Proud of its roots, the Vanier Museopark has been an integral part of the community since it was founded in 2004.
– 30 –
For further information, images, interview requests, or to attend the October 29 inauguration at 6 p.m., please contact:
Soumia Hamitou
Communications & Marketing Manager, Vanier Museopark
communication@museoparc.ca
