What was the Manitoba Schools Question ?

• When the Province of Manitoba was created in 1870, the Métis were guaranteed by the Manitoba Act, that the dual school system (Catholic and Protestant schools) already in existence,  would continue to exist.

• However, by 1890, the Manitoba government, now dominated by English Protestants, passed a bill withdrawing financial support for separate French schools. A single secular educational school system was created instead.

• This conflict angered the Métis and many French-Canadians, especially in Quebec. It pitted French against English and Catholics against Protestants and helped Wilfred Laurier become Prime Minister of Canada in 1896.

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