Lord Durham ‘s Report and the Act of Union

After the rebellions of UC and LC, the British government realized that it had to do something- they could no longer ignore colonists complaints

They sent Lord Durham as Governor-in-Chief of all the BNA colonies- his task? To report on the troubles in the colonies

and suggest reforms/changes- they sent officials to talk with

citizens- met with Robert Baldwin &

reformersAfter 5 months, he wrote “The Durham

Report” and made 2 specific recommendations:

1. the 2 colonies should be joined as the “province of Canada”

2. “responsible government” should be granted to BNA- advisors to the Governor should be chosen from the largest party in the Assembly- the Governor must sign all bills passed by Assembly

Also:- Anglican Church – should not have more privileges- colonies should settle own affairs without GB- GB govt. should focus on defence & other issues- one day, all BNA colonies should be joined

A controversial recommendation: - French Cdns. should be forced to speak English and

practice English values!So…on Lord Durham’s advice, Upper and

Lower Canada were joined in the “Act of Union” in 1841

Upper Canada – now called “Canada West”Lower Canada – now called “Canada East”New government met in Kingston (then

Montreal)

“responsible government” not granted until 1848

In 1846, a new Governor-General was appointed to Canada- Lord Elgin (*son-in-law of Lord Durham)- Agreed colonies should govern themselves

Election of 1848:More Reformers were elected vs. Tories

- Robert Baldwin (CW)- Louis Lafontaine (CE)

* they met with Elgin to recommend advisors from the Reform party…”responsible govt.”

“Rebellion Losses Bill”:Proposed that $ should be paid to people in

LC whose property had been damaged during the rebellions. (**UC people had received something similar)- Tories voted against the bill – no rebels compensated!- Reformers had more seats…so the bill passed and was sent to Elgin to sign

Lord Elgin’s dilemma:He did not like the bill and didn’t want to

sign it…but Baldwin and Lafontaine wanted it…so he signed it

His carriage was attacked with bricks and rocks…!

“responsible govt.” was now achieved!