The Constitutional Act

When the Loyalists arrived in "Quebec" they shocked by many of the differences that existed between New France and the Thirteen Colonies (the United States). The French operated under the seigneurial system where it was leased from the government (the Loyalists were used to owning the land); Roman Catholics were legally required to pay a tenth of their income to the church (the Loyalists did not); and there were no elections in Quebec (the Loyalists were used to electing representatives).

Because they were so upset at these differences, the British agreed to change the system of government and law in Quebec and created the Constitutional Act in 1791 which split Canada into two parts: Upper (the English speaking part) and Lower Canada (the French). In addition it:

• created a lieutenant-governor for each Canada
• landholders were in Lower Canada could hold land under the seigneurial or the freehold system. In Upper Canada they could own the land
• people who owned property could elect their representatives

For the first time, Canada became English speaking and it changed the country forever.