The Manitoba Schools Question

1890-1897

Background

• Manitoba – entered confederation in 1870 • Louis Riel – leader of the “Red River”

government negotiated the deal with the Canadian government on behalf of the Metis

• The Metis were Roman Catholic• Key issue: education – Riel wanted equal

rights for Roman Catholics

Manitoba Act 1870

• The Act created the province of Manitoba in 1870

• Act protected denominational (religious) schools – equal rights were given to Protestant (English) & Roman Catholic (French) education

• Also, French and English were given equal standing in the legislature, courts and other civic institutions

Thomas Greenway

• Premier of Manitoba• 1890- Abolished denominational education &

created a single public educational system– Language of education was to be English

• These measures were seen as an attack on French language and Roman Catholic education

Roman Catholic Response

• Roman Catholic community launched a court challenge to the law

• 1892 the British Privy Council ruled the Manitoba law was valid and Greenway had the right to do this

• BUT, they also ruled that the Federal Gov’t had the right to restore funding to RC schools

• Why did this created confusion?

Wilfrid Laurier’s compromise:

• 1896 Laurier becomes Prime Minister in 1904• Laurier is French Canadian and Roman

Catholic• Compromise:– RC teachers to be employed where there were

more than 40 RC students (10 in a country school)– When requested by 10 or more families RC

instruction would occur between 3:30 & 4:00

Conclusion

• French Canadians saw the compromise as an indication that French language and religious rights would no be supported outside of Quebec

• Gave rise to French Canadian nationalism