Way too expensive, and it didn't work with the Acadians.
I think you're right, we were stuck with it. At the same time, it did make a certain amount of sense if, for no other reason, as a bulwark against insurgents in the American colonies (the Quebec Act being a crucial part of that strategy).
Honestly, though, I think it was a case of having to deal with something that Whitehall didn't like, but that turned out to be a really good solution. In effect, Canada became a colonial dumping ground for Catholics in the UK without any stigma attached. Not too shaby a solution.
Bookmarks