1849 - The Parliament passes the Rebellion Losses Bill that compensates people who have suffered property damages during the 1837-38 rebellion in Lower Canada. British Tories, opposed to this law and to the responsible government system, burn down the Parliament in Montréal during a riot. Only a few months before, a similar law had been passed for former Upper Canada.
1850 - Beginning of the French Canadian emigration to the United-States. Referred to as la Grande saignée (the Great Exodus), this migration will see approximately 900,000 people leave Quebec between 1850 and 1940. See French Canadian diaspora.
1851 - According to a census, the population of Canada West is now numerically superior to that of Canada East. Politicians of Canada West begin to battle for representation by population (rep-by-pop).
1852 - The Séminaire de Québec, the first institution of higher learning in Canada, receives its Royal Charter on December 8 from the British Parliament. It becomes the first French language university in America. See: Université Laval.
