Tanneries scandal
Encyclopedia
The Tanneries scandal was a scandal implicating the government of the Province of Quebec, which led to the resignation of Conservative
premier, Gédéon Ouimet
, in September 1874.
On July 16, 1874, the Montreal Herald announced that the provincial government had exchanged land at Les Tanneries (now the Saint-Henri
district of Montreal
) worth over $200,000 for a farm on the Coteau Saint-Pierre of west Montreal valued at less than $40,000. An organizer for the Conservative party, Arthur Dansereau, was alleged to have received $65,000 in commissions in the deal. Louis Archambeault
, the commissioner of public works, was also implicated in the affair. George Irvine
, John Jones Ross
and Joseph Gibb Robertson
, the three English-speaking members of the cabinet, resigned and Charles-Eugène Boucher de Boucherville replaced Ouimet as premier.
Ouimet was reelected to his seat in the assembly in the general election that followed in 1875. Despite the outrage of the public over the affair, the provincial Conservatives were able to retain power, mainly because of the continuing support of the party by the Catholic
clergy of the province. Later that year, judge Francis Godschall Johnson
found no evidence of fraud or conspiracy. The commission investigating the affair did not comment on the guilt or innocence of any cabinet member but did recommend that the land exchange which had triggered the scandal be cancelled.
Although the scandal did not result in a change of the ruling party in the province, it did solidify the affiliation between the Catholic Church and the provincial Conservatives.
Parti conservateur du Québec
The Parti conservateur du Québec was a political party in Quebec, Canada.-Origins:The party originated as the Parti bleu which was formed around 1850 by the followers of Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine...
premier, Gédéon Ouimet
Gédéon Ouimet
Gédéon Ouimet was a French-Canadian politician.Born in what is today part of the city of Laval, Quebec Canada, Ouimet served as the second Premier of the province of Quebec from February 26, 1873 to September 22, 1874. He resigned as party leader of the Quebec Conservatives in 1874. He died in...
, in September 1874.
On July 16, 1874, the Montreal Herald announced that the provincial government had exchanged land at Les Tanneries (now the Saint-Henri
Saint-Henri
Saint-Henri is a neighbourhood in southwestern Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in the borough of Le Sud-Ouest.Saint-Henri is usually considered to be bounded to the east by avenue Atwater, to the west by Autoroute 15, to the north by Autoroute 720, and to the south by the Lachine Canal.- Description...
district of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
) worth over $200,000 for a farm on the Coteau Saint-Pierre of west Montreal valued at less than $40,000. An organizer for the Conservative party, Arthur Dansereau, was alleged to have received $65,000 in commissions in the deal. Louis Archambeault
Louis Archambeault
Louis Archambeault was a Quebec notary and political figure. He was a Liberal-Conservative member of the Canadian House of Commons representing L'Assomption from 1867 to 1874....
, the commissioner of public works, was also implicated in the affair. George Irvine
George Irvine (Canadian politician)
George Irvine was a Quebec lawyer, judge, professor and political figure. He represented Mégantic in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1867 to 1876 and from 1878 to 1884 and in the 1st Canadian Parliament as a Conservative.He was born in Quebec City in 1826, the son of Lt.-Colonel John...
, John Jones Ross
John Jones Ross
John Jones Ross, PC was born in Quebec City, Canada. He was the son of a Scots-Quebecer merchant, George McIntosh Ross, and his French-Canadian wife Sophie-Éloïse Gouin.-Province of Canada Assembly:...
and Joseph Gibb Robertson
Joseph Gibb Robertson
Joseph Gibb Robertson was a Scottish-born merchant, farmer and political figure in Quebec. He represented Sherbrooke in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1867 to 1892 as a Conservative....
, the three English-speaking members of the cabinet, resigned and Charles-Eugène Boucher de Boucherville replaced Ouimet as premier.
Ouimet was reelected to his seat in the assembly in the general election that followed in 1875. Despite the outrage of the public over the affair, the provincial Conservatives were able to retain power, mainly because of the continuing support of the party by the Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
clergy of the province. Later that year, judge Francis Godschall Johnson
Francis Godschall Johnson
Sir Francis Godschall Johnson was a Canadian office holder. He was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba on April 9, 1872, but had his commission revoked before he was officially sworn in. In 1889, he was appointed the 4th Chief Justice of the Province of Quebec.-Early life:Born New Year's...
found no evidence of fraud or conspiracy. The commission investigating the affair did not comment on the guilt or innocence of any cabinet member but did recommend that the land exchange which had triggered the scandal be cancelled.
Although the scandal did not result in a change of the ruling party in the province, it did solidify the affiliation between the Catholic Church and the provincial Conservatives.