The Earl of Durham, John George Lambton, was a politico who had supported Whig reforms in Britain. He was sent as Governor-general to British North America following the Rebellions of 1837. Not terribly keen to go, he was urged on by Queen Victoria, who ascended to the throne the year of the two rebellions in Canada.
Durham was asked to suggest changes to the colonial government to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.
In 1839 he presented the Durham report, recommending unification of Upper and Lower Canada, responsible government, the establishment of municipal institutions in Canada and the assimilation of French Canadians.
His report described the problems in Quebec as being "racial," rather than political. He advised unifying the two Canadas, taking the view that the French would be assimilated over time. Yet even though he judged Canadiens as being "devoid of history and literature" (Quebec History), he did hope and expect that his reforms would create greater opportunities for French Canadians.
However, in order to achieve this political, cultural and economic elevation, he believed they would have to speak English. The fact that he banished 8 patriotes to Bermuda, and forbid several others, including Louis Joseph Papineau, from returning to the country under threat of death obviously didn't help his popularity in Lower Canada, where he was denounced as a racist.
On the other hand, in Upper Canada, Durham's recommendation that the colonies be granted responsible government gained him enthusiastic recognition.
Political opposition to Durham's "illegally" exiling Papineau and others meant he soon resigned as Governor-general and returned to England, where he made his report. Back in Britain, the Union Act was passed in 1841, but the "mother country" balked at granting responsible government, which was not achieved until 1848.
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