New France (1608 - 1763)

The Seigneurial Tenures Act, 1854 (Abolishes feudal rights and duties in Lower Canada)

This act abolishes all feudal rights and duties in Lower Canada’s seigneurial system, and determines how seigneurs and tenants are to be compensated for the land.

Document Summary:

Some important sections:

II-XIII: Set the formal process of determining and compensating seigneurs for their land rights.

XIV: No seigneurial right or duty is to remain or be established in Lower Canada.

XVII: Details how expenses under this act are to be paid out.

XVIII: Creates a special Reserve Fund derived from use and sale of these lands, and other taxes (including those involving the sale of alcohol).

XX-XXI: Most tenants on the land - including minors, married women and indentured servants - can claim reimbursement for the loss of their land under the Reserve Fund for up to 30 years, so long as they make their land claim within a set six-month period.

XXV: Religious communities are allowed to purchase former seigneurial land for their purposes and receive similar compensation.

XXXV: None of the provisions in this act hold true for any Aboriginal communities in the wilderness that might be affected by this land. (That is, Aboriginals may not buy land nor receive monetary compensation under this act.)