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revised: | 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 King’s 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 majesty’s 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 |