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@canada.gov.ca’s accidental archivist John Batt is reshaping Canadian culture | The Main

@canada.gov.ca’s Accidental Archivist John Batt is Reshaping Canadian Culture

Version Anglaise

Discussing what’s mundane, regional, overlooked, and authentically Canadian with one of the country’s best digital curators—plus his ties to Montreal.

11 avril 2025 · 7 min de lecture

@canada.gov.ca’s accidental archivist John Batt is reshaping Canadian culture

Meet John Batt, the admin of @canada.gov.ca and accidental Canadiana archivist. | Photography by Philip Tabah / @phlop

The Main est soutenu par ses lecteurs. Les abonnements sont ce qui nous permet de rester indépendants. Cinq dollars par mois — les restaurants, les guides, le bulletin hebdomadaire et que faire chaque week-end. Soutenez-nous aujourd'hui. Soutenez-nous aujourd'hui.

Découvrez les lieux mentionnés dans cette histoire

There's something charmingly subversive about a guy who quit his job to post about forgotten corners of Canadian culture on Instagram.

Working out of his cottage in the Laurentians where he recently relocated from Montreal, John Batt has built an unlikely career as the admin of @canada.gov.ca: Celebrating the weird and wonderful patchwork of regional oddities that form the true fabric of Canadian identity—even if he may not put it in such grandiose terms.

Grabbing beers with John Batt on Plaza Saint-Hubert.

Grabbing beers with John Batt on Plaza Saint-Hubert.

The strangest tour guide

"I'm interested in the quirkier side of Canadian history, arts and culture," says Batt, who’s amassed nearly 100,000 followers through an oddly compelling mix of obscure cultural ephemera, forgotten historical footnotes, and the occasional shirtless photo of Ron MacLean or David Suzuki.

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@canada.gov.ca’s Accidental Archivist John Batt is Reshaping Canadian Culture

Version Anglaise

Discussing what’s mundane, regional, overlooked, and authentically Canadian with one of the country’s best digital curators—plus his ties to Montreal.

11 avril 2025 · 7 min de lecture

@canada.gov.ca’s accidental archivist John Batt is reshaping Canadian culture

Meet John Batt, the admin of @canada.gov.ca and accidental Canadiana archivist. | Photography by Philip Tabah / @phlop

The Main est soutenu par ses lecteurs. Les abonnements sont ce qui nous permet de rester indépendants. Cinq dollars par mois — les restaurants, les guides, le bulletin hebdomadaire et que faire chaque week-end. Soutenez-nous aujourd'hui. Soutenez-nous aujourd'hui.

Découvrez les lieux mentionnés dans cette histoire

There's something charmingly subversive about a guy who quit his job to post about forgotten corners of Canadian culture on Instagram.

Working out of his cottage in the Laurentians where he recently relocated from Montreal, John Batt has built an unlikely career as the admin of @canada.gov.ca: Celebrating the weird and wonderful patchwork of regional oddities that form the true fabric of Canadian identity—even if he may not put it in such grandiose terms.

Grabbing beers with John Batt on Plaza Saint-Hubert.

Grabbing beers with John Batt on Plaza Saint-Hubert.

The strangest tour guide

"I'm interested in the quirkier side of Canadian history, arts and culture," says Batt, who’s amassed nearly 100,000 followers through an oddly compelling mix of obscure cultural ephemera, forgotten historical footnotes, and the occasional shirtless photo of Ron MacLean or David Suzuki.

Free account required

Pour ceux qui ont Montréal à cœur

Créez un compte gratuit pour lire cet article et accéder à 3 articles par mois, ainsi qu'à notre Bulletin hebdomadaire.

Indépendant. Local. Soutenu par ses lecteurs.

ou

Déjà membre? Se connecter

Commentaires

Welcome to The Main's comments section!

Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.

Aucun commentaire pour le moment. Soyez le premier !

Follow on Google