1. NEW PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS: The Constitutional Act (1791)
DOCUMENT ACTIVITY

2. Team 1 - Political Organization/ Structure

3. 1. Indicate two elements of change and one element of continuity in the political organization of the Province of Quebec in 1763 and the political organization of Lower Canada in 1791.
Elements of Change [possible answers]
The province of Quebec was now divided into two provinces: Upper Canada and Lower Canada
Each province had its own political organization in which there were two different councils: the Executive Council and the Legislative Council
The Legislative Assembly was created and the right to vote was introduced in the colony
Elements of Continuity [possible answers]:
The British government, the secretary of state for the colonies and the governor general were still in place
The British government was still at the head of the political system

4. 2. Identify which individuals/groups were appointed and which individuals/ groups were elected in the political organization of Lower Canada in 1791.
Appointed
Appointed
Appointed
Elected
p.245

5. Team 2 – Territorial Changes
p.190
p.190

6. 1. Identify the waterway that acted as a border between the two Canadas.
Ottawa River
2. Explain why the names “upper” and “lower” Canada do not represent to the actual cartographic representation of the provinces.
These terms relate more to their position in relation to the Fleuve Saint-Laurent and the Great Lakes. Upper Canada is situated closer to the source of the Fleuve Saint-Laurent and has a higher elevation. Lower Canada is situated closer to the mouth of the Fleuve Saint-Laurent and has a lower elevation

7. Team 3 - Language Issues/Conflict
p.194
p.196

8. Newspapers were used to communicate and circulate political ideas
1. Compare the positions on the issue of language between section 1 and document 18. Establish if there is continuity or change.
The position of the Quebec Murray is a continuity of the position of the British members during the language debate in In both cases, the British members wanted English to be prioritized.
2. In your opinion, what role did newspapers play at the time in terms of politics?
Newspapers were used to communicate and circulate political ideas
Used as a tool in political campaigns to gain support
Similar to today with media [newspapers, social media, advertisements on television, etc.]

9. Team 4 – Demography & Politics

10. 1. Establish a connection between the respective number of members of the Legislative Assembly in Upper Canada and Lower Canada and the population living in each province.
In Lower Canada, the population was greater and could therefore elect more members to represent it; in Upper Canada, the population was lower and would therefore elected less members to represent it
2. How were the laws of Upper Canada and Lower Canada similar and how were they different?
Similarity: both Upper Canada and Lower Canada had British criminal laws
Difference: Upper Canada had British civil laws while Lower Canada had French civil laws

11. Parti Canadien Supported Change British Party Supported Continuity
3. Identify which political party supported change and which party supported continuity. Explain your answer.
Parti Canadien Supported Change British Party Supported Continuity
Parti Canadien
As Reformers, its members called for changes in existing political institutions
wanted to elect representatives to manage the colonial state’s budget

12. Team 5 – Power Distribution & Roles

13. 1. Match each statement with the corresponding institution or person: a) Governor b) Legislative Council c) Legislative Assembly d) Executive Council

14. 2. Why didn’t the elected members of the Legislative Assembly have real power?
Governor’s authority - the Governor had veto power and the power to dissolve the Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Council could approve, amend or reject bills put forth by the Legislative Assembly.
Since the Governor appointed the members of this Council they protected British interests.