How was pre-Confederation Canada governed (1763-1867)?

Question

I'm doing a project on pre-Confederation government, and I couldn't find this out. I think it was ruled under the British monarchy after the Treaty of Paris, but I need more information than that.

Answer 1

The above information is correct. But Canada pre-confederation was treated as seperate colonies. There was Upper Canada (Ontario), Lower Canada (Quebec), Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Each of these colonies had an elected assembly; much like the 13 colonies did before the American War of Independence. The colonies had a governor general that was appointed by London who over looked the colony for the crown.

Not unlike our neighbors to the south, Canadians became upset about taxation without representation. There were rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada in 1837. One member of the rebellion and in Upper Canada was William Lyon Mackenzie; Grandfather to Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. Louis-Joeseph Papineau was one of the leaders in Lower Canada. These rebellions caused a stir in London as Queen Victoria was afraid of losing the colonies in North America. Parliament commissioned Lord Durham to investigate the why the colonies had rebelled. The Durham report lead to responsible government in Canada. This was the real step towards confederation.

French Catholics were allowed to hold office after this. Before this the members in the assembly in Lower Canada had been English Loyalist that had moved there after their exodus from the 13 colonies after the American Revolution.

In general terms each colony had a Governor General, an assembly and courts based on the British criminal system. In Upper Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI they had civil laws based on English Common Law. In Lower Canada civil law was based on "Code Civile". The colonies could pass laws and make decisions about internal affairs, but anything related to foreign relations was decided upon in London.

It is important to note that PEI was not one of the original provinces in Confederation, it was the second province to join confederation after Manitoba. Newfoundland and Labrador were the last to join in 1949.

Hope that helps :)

Answer 2

The various colonies of British North America (e.g. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Upper and Lower Canada, Prince Edward Island) were governed in much the same way. There was a governor (usually called the Lt. Governor) for each colony. He was British and appointed by the British government. He had an Executive Council, appointed by him though on the instructions of the British Government, to advise him and to run the government in the Colony. These were prominent men in the colony. In addition there was an appointed Legislative Council and an elected Legislative Assembly which together proposed, debated and passed laws, though the Executive Council and/or Lt. Gov. and/or the British Government could reject those laws. The British government could also directly pass laws affecting one or more of the colonies.

Answer 3

Ratified on February 10th, 1763, the treaty of Paris contained 30 articles. Article 4 of the treaty states that France cedes the territories of Acadia, Canada, Newfoundland and Cape-Breton to England. Louisiana had been ceded to the Spanish a few months beforehand. France only conserved the islands of St-Pierre and Miquelon, as well as fishing rights in the waters off the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. In essence, England possessed a great deal of land, an area consisting of about half of present-day Canada and one third of present day U.S. The inhabitants of New France were allowed to keep their goods, but are given only 18 months to sell these goods and leave the territory. On August 13th 1763, James Murray is given the title "General Captain and Governor in chief of the province of Quebec, in America" and becomes the first of a series of English governors and administrators that will include Carleton, Haldimand and Durham, famous (some will say infamous) for submitting a report in which he stated that the French living in Canada were a group "with no history, nor culture".

Answer 4

Prior to the founding of the Dominion of Canada,each of the provinces were considered separate colonies.These colonies were administered from London
Interestingly when London granted these territories independance.They were called
Domininion of Canada,Newfoundland & Labrador

Answer 5

It was part of the British Empire and would have been controlled by a governor that acted on and enforced policies dictated by the British Government.

Answer 6

by the soldiers of the crown with govenors u could not find it where did u look?does not school teach u these things?? never been to Fort york in Toronto or simular forts?get out and explore do not read computer mumbo jumbo.