🏛️ Chapter 3: Canada's History
What did the first elected Assembly of Lower Canada debate in January 1793?
Correct answer: Whether to conduct business in both French and English
A Whether to move the capital to Montreal
✓ Whether to conduct business in both French and English
C Whether to abolish slavery in the colony
D Whether to seek union with the United States
💡 Explanation
At its first sitting in Quebec City the assembly argued over using the two languages in its proceedings.
Key facts to remember
- First representative assembly elected in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1758
- P.E.I. followed in 1773, New Brunswick in 1785
- Constitutional Act of 1791 split Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada
- Upper Canada became Ontario; Lower Canada became Quebec
- 1791 Act gave the Canadas their first elected legislative assemblies
- The name Canada became official in 1791
- Atlantic colonies plus the two Canadas = British North America
- 21 January 1793: Lower Canada's Assembly debates using French and English
Why this is the answer
From the official Discover Canada study guide — 3.2.4 The Beginnings of Democracy:
Democratic institutions here grew slowly and without violence. The first elected representative assembly met in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1758. Prince Edward Island elected one in 1773 and New Brunswick in 1785. Then the Constitutional Act of 1791 split the Province of Quebec in two. Upper Canada, later called Ontario, was mainly Loyalist, Protestant and English-speaking. Lower Canada, later called Quebec, was heavily Catholic and French-speaking.
The same Act of 1791 gave the Canadas legislative assemblies elected by the people, for the first time. The name Canada also became official at that moment, and it has been used ever since. The Atlantic colonies together with the two Canadas were known as British North America. On January 21, 1793, the first elected Assembly of Lower Canada met in Québec City and debated whether to use both French and English.
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