First Canadian Republic (Canadian Republic)

The First Canadian Republic refers to the republic that was preceded by the Dominion of Canada in 1920, and was superseded by the Second Canadian Republic in 1941. Like the Dominion before it, the First Republic consisted of nine provinces and two territories.

Constitution of 1920
Canada's new constitution was remarkably similar to the one before it. The largest difference was the combination of the positions of Monarch, Governor-General, and Prime Minister into the position of President. In keeping with the Westminster system, the President was to be the leader of the party that won the most seats in the House of Commons. It was also his responsibility to appoint cabinet and Senate members. Ottawa, at the time located in Ontario, remained the sole capital.

Quebecois separatism
During the First Republic, politics within the province of Quebec became increasingly polarized on the topic of separating from Canada. the Parti National du Québec was formed in 1924, leading the provincial Liberals and Conservatives to form the Coalition Fédéraliste after the 1926 provincial election. The 1920's saw protests, riots, and political instability throughout the province, resulting in the War Measures Act being implemented by President [NAME] in 1930, essentially placing Quebec under martial law. Soldiers patrolled the streets of major metropolitan areas, and checkpoints throughout the province were frequent. Basic human freedoms such as speech, assembly, and movement were restricted. Quebec was ruled by Presidential decree. In 1938, the War Measures Act was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada, returning a sense of normalcy to the province, and an election immediately being held. Many people, separatists and federalists alike, now largely see President [NAME]'s response to the crisis as an overreaction, and he is occasionally regarded as a dictator.