“We Gotta Change Things Y’all…”. Lord Durham’s Report and Reform in Upper and Lower Canada

Take Notes People!  THAT BLANK PAGE ON YOUR CHART NOTES NEEDS THE FOLLOWING HEADINGS:  1. British Response to the Rebellions  2. Lord Durham’s Recommendations and the Act of Union  3. New Government and its new legislation Take Notes as they come under these headings

An Investigation of the Nation  Britain realizes that something has to be done after 2 armed rebellions in the colonies.  British Government sends Lord Durham as the Governor- in-Chief of all the British North American colonies.  Lord Durham is there to report on the troubles in Upper and Lower Canada and suggest reform or changes.  He is asked to find out as much as he possibly can.

Lord Durhams Recommendations  Lord Durham put his recommendations into a report called “The Durham Report.”  2 MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS: 1.The colony should be joined into one province 2. Responsible government should be granted to British North Americas OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS -Adisors to the governor will be chosen from the LARGEST party in the elected assembly -Anglican church would not get any special treatment -The colonies should be able to manage their own affairs. -Governor should focus on defence and reform in the colonies -British North America should be joined together -FRENCH CANADIANS SHOULD BE FORCED TO SPEAK ENGLISH, AND PRACTICE ENGLISH VALUES.

The Act of Union (1841)  The Act of Union officially united Upper and Lower Canada  Upper Canada was renamed CANADA WEST  Lower Canada was renamed CANADA EAST  The new appointed governor of the United Canada is Lord Elgin, son-in-law of Lord Durham. He also believed in RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.

NEW GOVERNMENT  The new government first meets in KINGSTON in the newly named Canada West. The capital of the colonies will soon be moved to MONTREAL PARLIAMENT OPENS IN 1844 FOR THE UNITED CANADAS  THE REFORM LEADERS IN 1848 WERE ROBERT BALDWIN: CANADA WEST LOUIS LAFONTAINE: CANADA EAST

The Rebellion Losses Bill  The Rebellion Losses Bill was a bill proposing that money be paid to the people in Lower Canada whose property had been damaged during the rebellion.  WHO WOULD BE AGAINST THIS?! The TORIES thought that it would be wrong to reward those who rebelled.  WHO WAS FOR THIS? The REFORMERS had the largest number of members in the assembly now. They outvote the Tories. THE BILL IS PASSED AND SENT TO LORD ELGIN TO SIGN. -Englin doesn’t like this, however, the majority ruled now and responsible government was maintained.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms  CANADIAN RIGHTS ARE GUARENTEED IN THIS CHARTER Key Elements: FREE DEBATE: Free debate allows members of PARLIAMENT to vote according to their consceince. LOBBY: Interest groups making contact with the government to discuss their ideals and goals. It is a way of applying pressure to the government.

Finish up Your Assignments! YOUR ASSIGNMENTS TO BE FINISHED IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: 1.If you have not completed your horizons worksheet because you were not here for one of the days. FINISH 2.If you have not completed your chart because you were away. Borrow a friends or go online at home and download the slides from 3.START YOUR DEFINTIONS SHEET to prepare for your quiz. Use Ch’s 1 and 2 in your horizons textbook and your chart notes. The website will also be useful at home. Use the slides. IF YOU KNOW THESE DEFINITIONS YOU WILL ACE IT. I will check these on Monday for completion. 4.FINISH YOUR LOWER CANADA COMIC BOOK STRIP: This is due on Tuesday.