Constitutional Act of 1791

The Constitutional Act of 1791 was a law passed by the British Parliament to organize constitutional governance in Canada following the American Revolution. It divided the Province of Quebec into two separate areas: Upper Canada (now Ontario) and Lower Canada (now Quebec). Each region received its own government and laws, allowing for more local control. The Act aimed to accommodate English-speaking Loyalists who settled in the area and established a framework for representative government, while also recognizing the cultural differences between the French and English populations. This was a significant step in Canada’s path towards self-governance.