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The role of syndic in New France

Was your ancestor a syndic, procurator-syndic, inhabitants' syndic or merchants' syndic in New France? Learn more about this ever-changing role in the colony.

 

In general, the syndic is a person who manages the affairs of a community, who represents and defends its interests. In French, "syndic" is at the origin of the term "syndicat," meaning union.

In New France, the procureur-syndic de la Communauté des Habitants (procurator-syndic of the Community of Habitants) was a notable elected by his peers. It was his responsibility to communicate the interests of the elite to the colonial authorities.

Jean Bourdon (1601-1668), drawing appearing in Les jubilés, églises et chapelles de la ville et de la banlieue de Québec de 1665 à aujourd'hui by Joseph Trudelle (Wikipedia Commons).

Jean Bourdon was the first procurator-syndic in Canada, elected in 1647. He became procurator-syndic of the village of Québec. Montréal and Trois-Rivières would have their own representatives. The procurator-syndic was elected annually from 1647 to 1677.

  • Procurator-syndics of Québec : Jean Bourdon, Charles Sevestre, Jacques Maheust, Jean Lemire, Pierre Haimard

  • Procurator-syndics of Montréal : Marin Janot, Médéric Bourduceau, Jacques Testard de Laforest

  • Procurator-syndics of Trois-Rivières :  Jacques Hertel, Michel Leneuf du Hérisson, Guillaume Pépin, Pierre Lefebvre

In 1647 and 1648, the procurator-syndic had no vote at the Council of Quebec. From 1649 to 1656, he had the right to vote to elect the three other councillors (the other members of the Council being the governor general, the town or regional governors ("gouverneurs particuliers") and the superior of the Jesuits). The procurator-syndic had a much more limited role than that of the elected councillor. In reality, he acted more like a spokesperson, advising the inhabitants of the decisions taken by the Council. 

In 1662, Governor Davaugour eliminated the role of procurator-syndic in the colony. A year later, the Conseil Souverain brought it back to life, creating the roles of "syndics des habitants de Québec, Trois-Rivières et de Montréal" (syndics of the habitants of Québec, Trois-Rivières and Montréal).

Swearing in of Jean Lemire, elected syndic of the habitants of Québec, 28 Mar 1667

“Colbert en grande tenue de l'ordre du Saint-Esprit” (Colbert in full dress of the Order of the Holy Spirit), circa 1666 painting by Claude Lefebvre (Wikimedia Commons)

Jean Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV's Secretary of State of the Navy, mistrusted the syndics and their influence. He asked Governor Frontenac in 1673 to eliminate the role, which he did in 1677. The governor declared that "His Majesty [wants] that all his subjects have, in particular, the faculty of representing their reasons and their complaints, but one cannot do it for all. […] We very expressly forbid all people of any quality and condition to hold meetings and sign petitions, without our express permission”.

The office of syndic returned in 1717 to Quebec and Montreal, in the form of the "syndic des négociants" (the merchants’ syndic). These elected officials expressed themselves mainly on the economic affairs of the colony, but also give their opinion on political and military questions. Obviously, we are still referring to the elite, not the general population.

The merchants’ syndic dealt primarily with matters relating to the fur trade, the protection of merchant vessels on the river, and retail trade.

For the modest inhabitant, his interests were represented by his village assembly. In 1748, Intendant Bigot wanted to standardize the operations of these assemblies. The role of "syndic de commune" (village syndic) was created; this representative was elected by the village assembly, generally when a village wanted to undertake a construction project or a collective task.

These various syndic roles were abolished after the British conquest of 1760.

 

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