Colloque

Lafontaine et la double majorité

Elizabeth Nish

Membre a labase

Elizabeth Nish

Résumé du colloque

Double majority, a system of government based on nationalism and sectionalism, was present in embryonic form from the beginning of the Union period. It became famous in 1844, when it was used by the Viger partisans to challenge LaFontaine's leadership. After initially rejecting double majority, LaFontaine was forced by adverse political circumstances to accept it. However, he redefined it to strengthen his own position as French-Canadian leader. Double majority was the subject of three governmental negotiations in 1845, 46 and 47, after the failure of the last negotiations, LaFontaine and Baldwin were returned to office, and double majority was forgotten. It did not re-emerge again until after LaFontaine's retirement from politics.