From 1828 Robert Baldwin had formed the
moderate voice of reformers and was
developing the idea of responsible
self-government
William Lyon Mackenzie became a radical reformer
after his newspaper was attacked by the sons of the
Family Compact in 1826
Mackenzie advocated that Canada seek
independence and follow the suit of the
American colonies
Emigration into
the province
Irish immigration into Canada in the 1830s meant places east of Toronto became notably Irish in character.
Prejudices towards the Irish included that they were feckless, criminally
inclined and carried disease
Reformers objected to the costs and lack of consultation over the
Ops Township Scheme which helped poor immigrants
Family Compact objected to number of Irish immigrants who were
unlikely to support their power and would upset the status quo
Concerns regarding immigration increased
with the cholera epidemics of 1832 and
1834
American financial crisis in 1837 also heightened concerns over immigration
The 1836 election
The 1836 election was successful for Head as it
removed Reformers from the legislative
assembly a delivered a pro-government majority
A variety of laws were passed to prevent the reformers challenging their
position
Extension of legislative
session
A law preventing members of the legislature from serving as
executive councillors. This cemented power of Family Compact
Under Mackenzie's leadership, many Reformers came to believe
rebellion was now necessary and established Committees of
Correspondence and secret councils
Action of the
lieutenant governors
Sir John Colborne (1828-35 office) and Sir Francis
Bond Head (1835-38 office) were governors of
Upper Canada with an authoritarian attitude and
saw themselves as superior to the executive
council
Colborne did improve infrastructure to some extent
Colborne bypassed the legislative assembly to pay officials' salaries
Colborne set up a classic English preparatory school
instead of the called for university
Colborne was demoted after his most
controversial move when he allocated income
from clergy reserves to 44 Anglican Churches
Sir Francis Head had no previous
colonial experience
Head invited reformers onto the executive committee but
then removed them when they complained about lack of
consultation
Head campaigned against the Reformers in 1836 election