Laurentia (Maple Uprising)

History
Following the rejection of the 92 Resolutions by the British authorities, the elected representatives of Lower-Canada declared the province to be an independent republic.

Following 3 years of conflicts, the provinces of Lower and Upper Canada briefly formed a loosely united republic before the later province chose annexion to the USA. Lower Canada preferred to remain independent and formed the Republic of Canada.



The Canadian uprising is remembered in song and stories as a fight between the republican "Blue" and the monarchist "Black" (both name being based on the colour of, repectively, the woolen bonnet and the leather shako worn by most on each side).

System of Government
Both the Legislative Council (Government) and Chamber of Assembly (representatives) are elected through universal suffrage. The chamber, among other things, control the revenue allowed to be spent by the Council. Those elected to the Council cannot at the same time cumulate public roles or conflicting career.

The Council cannot intervene publicly in the election of the Chamber and vice versa. This mean that although there are de facto alliance between parties de jure, council and chamber's parties are separate entities.

Legal System
The legal system of the republic is based mainly on the British one while retaining certain aspect of french customary law.

Languages
Although french is the language used in everyday life by companies and government agencies, english and some native tongues can be used to receive services were needs warrants.

Constitution
The constitution of the Republic of Laurentia guarantees the following rights:


 * All citizens to be equal (with no ethnic discrimination, including in regard to amerindians)


 * complete separation of church and state


 * abolition of the seignorial system


 * abolition of imprisonment for debts


 * abolition of the death penalty for all crime save murder (later abolished altogether)


 * freedom of the press


 * trial by jury for all criminal cases and for certain type of civil cases.


 * free education for all


 * voting for all male over the age of 21 (eventualy amended to allow female voters)


 * French and English to be the official languages.

Administrative division
The republic is divided into town, burgs and counties