Born in Beauport, Parent was editor of the newspaper Le Canadien from 1822 to 1825 and from 1831 to 1842. His editorials called for French Canadians to take charge of their own affairs. The newspaper’s motto, “Nos institutions, notre langue, et nos lois!” summarized Parent’s idea of nationhood. An intellectual associated with the Parti patriote, he advocated for responsible government, but pleaded for moderation and denounced the violence of the Rebellions of 1837–1838. Later, as a lecturer and senior official, he promoted the study of political economy as a means of advancing the development of the French-Canadian nation.