These sources collectively provide an overview of the political and social landscape of British North America leading up to and immediately following Confederation in 1867, with a particular emphasis on the Province of Canada. One source examines the evolution of social classes, highlighting the persistence of old hierarchies like the seigneurial system alongside the rise of merchant elites, liberal professionals, and a growing working class, also discussing the significant influence of the clergy across denominations despite sectarian rivalries. Another source details the development of the education system, focusing on the contrasting histories of Upper and Lower Canada and the impact of the Act of Union and Section 93 of the British North America Act, which protected denominational school rights, as well as the horrific legacy of residential schooling and other forms of racial segregation in the public school system. Finally, two sources provide context for the political climate, describing the formation of the Province of Canada, the struggle for responsible government, and the emergence of political factions like the Clear Grits and the Parti bleu, underscoring the political challenges arising from the dual nature of the united provinces which ultimately led to Confederation.

These sources collectively provide an overview of the Rebellions of 1837-1838 in Upper and Lower Canada, examining their causes and consequences. They highlight the political unrest stemming from frustrations with the existing governance structure and the desire for responsible government. Furthermore, the texts discuss the Lord Durham Report, a pivotal document that recommended the unification of the two colonies and the assimilation of French Canadians, and the eventual Act of Union in 1840. The sources also touch upon the transnational impact of the rebellions, particularly on the United States and Britain, and note the ongoing scholarly debate surrounding the interpretation of these events, moving beyond a purely ethnolinguistic conflict.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (French: Charte canadienne des droits et libertés), often simply referred to as the Charter in Canada, is a bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada, forming the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Charter guarantees certain political rights to Canadian citizens and guarantees the civil rights of everyone in Canada. It is designed to unify Canadians around a set of principles that embody those rights. The Charter was proclaimed in force by Queen Elizabeth II of Canada on April 17, 1982, as part of the Constitution Act, 1982.