Representation by PopulationContemporary CanadaUnderstanding the Push for Representation by Population in Canada WestIn the mid-19th century, a major political issue across British North America (BNA) was that of representation; amongst them stood most prominently rep. By pop. Within about 1850, Canada West’s population was greater that Canada East, and this minimal representation in legislature began writing petitions for a constitutional principle corresponded more carefully to the demographic adjustment. Supporters said it is necessary for effective representation and fulfills the democratic monocle of equal votes.
Historical Context
FrameworkWhen the two parts of Canada were about to unite in 1841, it was fitting that they should be equally represented in the legislature: although one part had thrice as many people as there are now. The possibility of increasing French power in Parliament was a reason that the British settlers preferred “sectional equality”, unaffected by population totals. George Brown, the Reform leader from Canada West, thought that this was too unbalanced and would advocate for rep by pop instead―as a way of allowing his majority anglophone citizens some autonomy against what he perceived as french over-dominance in governance34.
Cartier’s Opposition
The conservative leader of the Parti bleu in Canada East, George-Étienne Cartier was vocally opposed to rep by pop. This, he contended would result in the marginalization of French Canadians and put their cultural survival back into jeopardy. Cartier was worried that an increase in Canada West would allow English-speaking politicians to pass legislation and dilute the rights of French Canadians.12 He was not merely politically opposed but culturally resistant; he was desperate to keep the Quebecois as such under increasing tensions between both regions.
The Political Landscape
The arguments over rep by pop mirrored wider divisions within Canadian society of the day. The first group, naturally enough, supported rep by pop thinking as a no-brainer necessary step towards more up-to-date forms of governance reflecting democratic standards. By contrast, Cartier and his partisans styled their opposition as a sort of guarantor for minority rights and the heritage they stood to lose.representation (ad) Language, religion and regional identity clashed in a conflict that exposed deep-seated divisions that would shape Canadian politics for the next three decades. 34
In the end, while Cartier’s resistance was important, that drive for rep by pop kept hanging on and would turn into a key issue before Confederation in 1867. It was understood that in order to maintain its national unity and stability, these two regions had to compromise their respective interests; thus demonstrating how demographic transformations could lead significant political changes.
