The Manitoba Schools Question

Background Manitoba – entered confederation in 1870 Louis Riel – leader of the “Red River” government negotiated the deal with the Canadian government on behalf of the Metis The Metis were Roman Catholic Key issue: education – Riel wanted equal rights for Roman Catholics

Manitoba Act 1870 The Act created the province of Manitoba in 1870 Act protected denominational (religious) schools – equal rights were given to Protestant (English) & Roman Catholic (French) education Also, French and English were given equal standing in the legislature, courts and other civic institutions

Thomas Greenway Premier of Manitoba Abolished denominational education & created a single public educational system – Language of education was to be English These measures were seen as an attack on French language and Roman Catholic education

Roman Catholic Response Roman Catholic community launched a court challenge to the law 1892 the British Privy Council ruled the Manitoba law was valid and Greenway had the right to do this BUT, they also ruled that the Federal Gov’t had the right to restore funding to RC schools Why did this created confusion?

Wilfrid Laurier’s compromise: 1896 Laurier becomes Prime Minister in 1904 Laurier is French Canadian and Roman Catholic Compromise: – RC teachers to be employed where there were more than 40 RC students (10 in a country school) – When requested by 10 or more families RC instruction would occur between 3:30 & 4:00

Conclusion French Canadians saw the compromise as an indication that French language and religious rights would no be supported outside of Quebec Gave rise to French Canadian nationalism