Documents
in Quebec History
Last
revised: 23 August 2000 | French Canadians and Jews
Statutes
of Lower Canada (Quebec) An
Act to Grant Equal Rights and Privileges to Persons of the Jewish Religion (1832) An
Act to declare persons of the Jewish Religion entitled to all of the rights and
privileges of the other subjects of His Majesty in this Province Whereas
doubts have arisen whether persons professing the Jewish Religion are by law entitled
to many of the privileges enjoyed by the other subjects of His Majesty within
this Province: Be it therefore enacted by the Kings Most Excellent Majesty,
by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Assembly of
the Province of Lower Canada, constituted and assembled by virtue of and under
the authority of an Act passed in the Parliament of Great Britain, intituled (sic),
An Act to repeal certain parts of an Act passed in the fourthteenth year
of His majestys Reign, intituled (sic), An Act for making more
effectual provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec, in North America,
and to make further provision for the Government of the said Province of Quebec
in North America; And it is hereby declared and enacted by the authority
aforesaid, that all persons professing the jewish Religion being natural born
British subjects inhabitating and residing in this Province, are entitled and
shall be deemed, adjudged and taken to be entitled to the full rights and privileges
of the other subjects of His majesty, his Heirs or Successors, to all intents,
constructions and purposes whatsoever, and capable of taking, having and enjoying
any office or place of trust whatsoever, within this Province. Note
from the editor: The Legislature of Lower Canada, under the influence and
authority of Louis-Joseph Papineau, of great nationalist fame, was the first to
issue such legislation in the British Empire. Religious emancipation was enacted
in the United Kingdom, and on behalf of the Empire, only 27 years later. ©
1999 Claude Bélanger, Marianopolis College |