Ontario’s Alleged Fanaticism in the Riel Affair

Abstract

That Louis Riel was hanged because of the influence of Ontario fanaticism is a very familiar notion, and one that French Canadians believed in from the beginning. They thought the real grievances of the Metis were extenuating circumstances in his favour, and that, because he was insane, he could not be considered guilty of a crime. Normally, a man would not be hanged in such conditions. The exception made in his case could only be explained by bigoted hatred of his French race and Catholic religion. Moreover, it was the “fanatisme bête de la province d’Ontario” that was responsible for the injustice. This view is still current. French-language press, community leaders, and historians still speak of Riel as victim of “préjugés anglais,” “fanatisme orangiste,” or the “fanatisme … de l’Ontario.” And, English Canada has generally adopted the same interpretation.