Colonial Basis of Canada's Government System

1. Colonial Basis of Canada's Government System • Three British colonial laws laid the basis of Canada's government system: • Royal Proclamation (1763) • Quebec Act (1774) • Constitutional Act (1791)

2. Royal Proclamation (1763): Anglicization Background Circumstances: • British conquest of New France (1763) Purpose: • Establish British representative government in the colony of Quebec • Attract English-speaking settlers to Quebec • "Anglicize" the newly conquered French Canadians

3. Royal Proclamation: Structure & Operation of Government • Promise of an elected assembly when enough English settlers arrived in Quebec • Roman Catholics NOT permitted to hold public office • English civil and criminal law replace French civil and criminal law • Freedom of worship granted to Roman Catholic French Canadians within British law • Church of England (Anglican) to be promoted within colony

4. Response to Royal Proclamation: • Rapid increase in French Canadian population in 1760's (doubled in 10 years) • Anticipated English immigration does not occur • Dominant French Canadian groups (Roman Catholic Church, seigneurs) concerned about uncertain future • Increasing unrest in Thirteen Colonies, which were denied access to the Ohio valley • Need for change in policy! British Governor James Murray was convinced that the French Canadians would not be easily "anglicized". He refused to convene an elected assembly, as it would have been controlled by the small English minority in the colony. Angry English merchants succeeded in having him recalled by the British government.

5. Quebec Act (1774): Anglicization Abandoned Background: • Growing unrest in Thirteen Colonies • Failure of Royal Proclamation's "Anglicization" policy Purpose: • Win active loyalty of French Canadians • Secure colony of Quebec in case of colonial revolt

6. Quebec Act: Structure & Operation of Government • Governor and appointed Council • Elected Assembly denied • Roman Catholics permitted to hold public office • English criminal law remained in effect • French civil law reinstated in Quebec • Right to practice Roman Catholic religion guaranteed • Roman Catholic Church's "property and civil rights" restored Sir Guy Carleton, Murray's replacement, persuaded Britain to abandon its "Anglicization" policy and attempt to win the loyalty of the French Canadians by guaranteeing their basic religious and political rights. He believed that the people could be persuaded by their leaders, the RC Church and seigneurs, to support Britain in the event of a colonial revolt.

7. Effects of the Quebec Act • Earned Britain the support of Roman Catholic Church & seigneurs • Loyalty of common people (habitants) not significantly affected • Increased Thirteen Colonies' anger at Britain, contributing to the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775

8. Constitutional Act (1791): Consolidation Background: • Aftermath of American Revolution • Large Loyalist migration to western areas of Quebec Purpose: • Establish representative system of government and boundaries acceptable to Loyalists • Prevent future colonial unrest by limiting the power of elected colonial assemblies • Prevent French-English conflict

9. Constitutional Act: Structure & Operation of Government • Colony of Quebec divided into Upper (English) & Lower (French) Canada • Governor and two appointed Councils in each colony • Executive Council appointed for life as advisors to Governor • Legislative Council appointed for life as "upper house" of legislature, with power to veto bills proposed by elected assembly • Legislative Assembly elected once every four years, with power to levy taxes but no power to control the actions of the Governor or the two appointed Councils

10. Constitutional Act: Structure of Government

11. Effects of the Constitutional Act: • Period of stability and growth in British colonies (1791 - 1815) • Growing colonial unrest over the Assembly's lack of power after 1815