British Rule, part 2: 1815-1867

Changes in Population & Settlement in Lower Canada, after 1815:


Review:
Over the last couple of weeks, we've examined changes and continuity to the population of Quebec, after the Conquest (1760). In terms of the population, little changed, despite the  new rulers. However, there was one important change: no further immigration from France. From that point on, immigrants to Quebec were, for the most part, from the Thirteen colonies or from England. By the turn of the nineteenth century, the Anglophone minority in the colony was very small; the canadiens population grew quickly because of its high birth rate.


Current topic:
Immigration to Lower Canada changed radically after 1815; dramatic social changes in the British Isles had a huge impact on British North America (Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland). Millions left the British Isles for North America. Of those immigrants who arrived in the port of Quebec city, most continued on to Upper Canada. Still, huge numbers settled in Lower Canada - both in the cities and in new rural areas - altering the social fabric of Lower Canada.


Classwork & Evaluation:
While reading, try to find information that helps you understand changes in LC's population, society and territory.
1) Read the document booklet. Highlight information. Examine the documents.  Group discussion.
2) Complete handout: How did LC change during this time period?
3) Finish handout: "English in Lower Canada..." - 3 questions, 1 map
4) Read textbook: Panoramas, pp. 51-60
5) Readings: Irish immigration
6) Handout: "Results of Immigration..." - complete questions.


At the end of this "time period," you will receive a short set of corresponding notes. You will have a short assignment (group work) about the time period; and a quiz to see if you've understood the information we've covered (mid-week, next). 


An interesting link:
Letters collected by the Canada Company to Encourage Emigration
Emigration to North America in 1847

"What if They Declared an Emergency and No One Came?"

"It's been three weeks since Attawapiskat First Nation took the extraordinary step of declaring a state of emergency. Since then, not a single federal or provincial official has even bothered to visit the community."

Read this article by Charlie Angus (MP, Timmins-James Bay) in the Huffington Post.


December 1, 2011
I posted the article above over a week ago; in the meantime, there has been much focus on the community, and the Red Cross is bringing in supplies and aid. Not only are the federal government and provincial governments are still pointing fingers at each other, but the federal government has also decided to examine the financial mismanagement by the band council of the billions of dollars they have received from Ottawa. 


Here are two links from the CBC:
A View from Attiwapiskat before the Crisis
Attiwapiskat crisis plan called short-sighted


Also interesting is the article:
First Nations housing in dire need of overhaul
Clean running water still a luxury on many native reserves


14 December, update:
From the National Post: How Ottawa spent 90$ million at Attiwapiskat
From CBC: Attiwapiskat chief blasts minister in an open letter