The Crown Lands Protection Act
  • The Crown Lands Protection Act (1839) was one of the first pieces of legislation in the Crown's efforts to "civilize" Indigenous peoples into colonial society.
  • This Act effectively made the government responsible for all Crown lands and Indian Reserves and prevented them from selling their own property, which stripped them of their land rights in an effort to "protect them" and assimilate them into society.
  • The government narrative regarding the Act was that due to rapid settlement into Canada, the Crown implemented this policy to manage this influx of people on the lands and to protect the Indian reserves from the incoming settlers.
Citation

"An Act for the protection of the Lands of the Crown in this Province, from Trespass and Injury. Passed 11th May, 1839." British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. University of New Brunswick Libraries, May 11, 1839. https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/3943

Further Readings

For more information on the Crown Protections Act 1839: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/preconfedcdnhist/chapter/11-15-aboriginal-politics-at-mid-century/
& https://www.britannica.com/topic/Crown-Lands-Protection-Act
& https://www.manchesteropenhive.com/view/9781526137333/9781526137333.00011.xml

Policy Sub-Topic
Enfranchisement and Colonization (Indigenous Peoples)
Policy Type
Federal Statute

X

RECENT POSTS
CATEGORIES