Lord Durham greatly impacted Canadian governance during his time as the Governor General and High Commissioner of British North America, shaping policies that resonated far beyond his time in office. While his influence on governmental structures and administrative practices is undeniable, his legacy is tainted by the racist ideologies he supported, particularly towards French Canadians. Despite his efforts to implement policies of assimilation and integration, his disdain for the French Canadian language and culture perpetuated racial inequality within the colonial framework. Durham's approach reflected the prevailing colonialist attitudes of the era, which sought to impose British cultural norms and values on colonized peoples. His policies, although framed as measures for progress and modernization, ultimately served to …show more content…
This agenda has continued to shape the socio-political landscape of Canada, where struggles for cultural recognition, equality, and justice persist. Lord Durham's legacy is marked by his promotion of racist ideologies towards French Canadians and indigenous peoples in Canada. His assimilationist policies aimed to erode the cultural identities of marginalized communities and reinforce British dominance in the colonial context. By examining primary sources such as The Durham Report and journal articles by Coates, Rahman, Clarke, and Byrne, it becomes evident that Durham's actions contributed to the marginalization and oppression of French Canadians and indigenous peoples, reflecting broader trends of colonialism and racism in Canadian history. Acknowledging and understanding Durham's role in perpetuating racial inequality is essential for grappling with the complexities of Canadian history and working toward reconciliation and justice for all marginalized