The bill was enacted to compensate Lower Canadians who lost property during the Rebellions of 1837 with measures similar to those providing compensation in Upper Canada . Two factors made this measure controversial . Even though participants in the Rebellion could not be compensated with taxpayer 's money , the sympathies for the Rebellion were more widespread in Lower Canada so that compensation in Lower Canada was seen as " giving money to the rebels " . Secondly , the damage done by the army far exceeded the damage done by the rebels so that provisions to compensate for damages done by the army was considered disloyal to the Crown . The enactment of the bill angered some of Montreal 's Tory citizens and provoked weeks of violent disturbances known as the '' Montreal Riots '' . It culminated in the burning of the Parliament building on April 25 which until then was in Montreal
burning of the Parliament building
Burning of the Parliament Buildings in Montreal
Rebellion Losses Bill