Baldwin & La Fontaine:
Toward
Responsible Government
The implementation of responsible government was one of the events that led to Canadian Confederation in 1867. Responsible government refers to a government that is accountable to the people rather than to the Crown. Watch a series of student-produced documentaries to discover the role played by Baldwin and La Fontaine in shaping Canadian government as we know it today.
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From November 13, 2017, to March 31, 2018
Carefully watch the short clips from the four documentaries. Answer the questions (you need a minimum of 6 correct answers to be eligible) and complete the entry form. You could win a college or university scholarship worth $5,000 or a weekend for two in Toronto, accommodations and spending money included!
In 1834, what was the first political action taken by the Patriots of Lower Canada, who were asking for responsible government?
- Louis-Joseph Papineau, leader of the Patriots, sent several petitions to the Colonial Secretary in London.
- Louis-Joseph Papineau, leader of the Patriots, submitted a proclamation to the Governor General that included the 92 Resolutions.
- Patriot rebels attacked the British army at Saint-Denis, in Lower Canada.
What decision by the British government triggered the Rebellions of 1837-1838?
- Sending the British army to fight the Patriots.
- Rejecting the 92 Resolutions proposed by Lower Canada.
- Uniting Upper Canada and Lower Canada to assimilate the French Canadian population.
What was Lord Durham’s role during his five-month mandate in Canada, in 1838?
- Understand what had caused the Rebellions and recommend solutions to the British government.
- Speak with Louis-Joseph Papineau to ease the rebels’ frustration with the Crown.
- Create an alliance with Upper Canada to defeat the Patriot Party.
Among other things, what did the Durham Report propose as a way of putting an end to the Rebellions?
- Giving full power to Anglophones in Upper Canada.
- Keeping the monarchical form of government and exiling the Lower Canadian rebels.
- Uniting Upper Canada and Lower Canada to make Francophones a minority.
In 1840, Upper Canada and Lower Canada were united to create the Province of Canada, following Lord Durham’s recommendations. Did this change recognize the principle of responsible government?
- No. Despite a popularly elected Assembly, councillors were chosen by the colonial state. They were accountable to the Crown, which was represented by the Governor General.
- Yes, because the Assembly’s 84 members were popularly elected. Councillors were accountable to the Assembly, not to the Governor General.
- No, the union of the Canadas brought no changes to the political system.
Who was Governor General in 1848, when responsible government was implemented in the Province of Canada?
- Lord Durham
- Lord Elgin
- Lord Metcalfe
From the start of his discussions, what principle did La Fontaine insist upon as a condition for responsible government?
- Bilingualism
- Liberalism
- Immigration
What differentiates present-day Canadian democracy from the monarchical government in place before 1848?
- A popularly elected assembly.
- Openness and better treatment of linguistic and racial minorities.
- The right to start rebellions and protests.
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Learn more!
Did you know that these documentaries were created by students at member institutions of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC)? Consult the About us page. Are you a history buff? Watch the full documentaries, each of which is about 15 minutes long!
Our Partners
The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage
