Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Education in the Province of Quebec (1966)

Chapter 1, p. 7-16 https://bit.ly/2QNtuC7

Summary
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THE ELABORATION OF A SCHOOL SYSTEM (1841-1867)

The Superintendent of Public Instruction, post created by Education Act of 1841
● Framed to serve two Canadas w/ single superintendent (honorary), named an assistant each for
Upper (Act of 1843) & Lower (Acts of 1845 & 1846) Canada
● Lower Canada (Quebec) duties: distribution of public funds, personal inspection of schools,
suggest applications of law to local authorities, prepare for the legislature an annual report on
state of public schools
○ No extensive powers, lacking personnel
● Authority gradually broadened eventually to Department of Public Instruction (1857)
○ Act of 1845 → secretary and clerk
○ Act of 1851 → group of regional inspectors
● 1856: extended powers to control over normal schools, certification of teachers, accounts of
commission
● First superintendent: Dr. Jean Baptiste Meilleur; Successor: P. J. O. Chauneau
The Council of Public Instruction, est. 1856 (following 1853 inquiry committee)
● First body vested w/ authority to direct province’s school system (11<15 members)
● Regulations for normal schools, textbooks (secular), tribunal to judge teachers
● First Council appointed 1859 (11 RC, 4 P) until 1869
Act of 1841: create local bodies capable of opening & maintaining schools
● Entrusted to District/Municipal Councils to divide parishes into school districts, transmitting
funds, electing commissioners
● Dissociated schools from municipal corporations (Acts of 1845 & 1846)
● Commissioners authorized to take over schools, set curriculum, collect fees
● Fees charged for children not in school ⇒ compulsory school attendance

Financing of public schools based on govt sharing cost w/ population from 1841
● “Common school fund” paid out subsidies by # of children age 5-16 in each district
● Local authorities had to levy sum at least equal to govt to be eligible (through municipal real
estate taxes, monthly fees)
● Reports required to Superintendent, who could exempt poor municipalities from taxes/fees or
withhold subsidies
● “Guerre des éteignoirs” resistance to law of 1846 b/c of new school taxes
● Govt share in financing school corporations gradually increased
Accounting for religious differences in 1841 Act
● Established common schools for all children in a district
● Privilege of dissent → right to have a school administered by trustees
 ● Municipalities not within districts outlined in 1841 named board of examiners (w/ mayor as
chairman) equal #s of P&RC members to govern schools
Highly concentrated Prostestant population in Quebec City & Montreal w/ established confessional
schools
● 12 commissioners appointed by municipal councils (=RC&P, separated)
● 14 board of examiners members (equal, 2 depts)
● Both confessional & common by law
● Required to admit all children from any part of the city regardless of religion
Aspirations from both groups intensified confessional aspects, resisted State efforts to assume effective
control over education

THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM (1867-1907)

➢ Established form of central administrative agencies
➢ Two autonomous systems by religious affiliation
The British North America Act
● Gave province exclusive jurisdiction in educational matters
● Guaranteed rights and privileges, right of appeal for minorities
Superintendent ⇒ Minister of Public Instruction (Act of 1868)
● Charles Boucher de Boucherville returned posted to “Superintendent” in 1875 but more
precisely defined the role (failed attempt to re-appoint Minister in 1897)
Act of 1869 changed Council to 21 members → 14RC, 7P separated by religion into committees to affect
interests of RC or P education specifically
● Strongly emphasized religious differences, greater autonomy to Protestant system
● Granted financial privileges to religious and charitable institutions
Act of 1875 further emphasized the above, bishops in province automatically members of Council
● Set up modern governing bodies, fixed composition of Council, confirmed division
● Committees wholly independent of Council in matters under their jurisdiction (no joint meeting
1908-1960)
● Confirmed autonomy of Protestant systems, separation more rigid
● P: secondary in public; RC: secondary still responsibility of clergy in classical colleges
● Ex. McGill/Bishop’s professional programs, Laval traditional (little opportunities for
exchange/cooperation)