The cholera outbreak in Lower Canada during 1832 is attributed to the arrival of Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine. As these immigrants settled in urban centers like Quebec City, the unsanitary conditions of overcrowded living quarters and inadequate sewage systems allowed the disease to flourish. The first cases were reported in the spring, but it was during the summer months that the epidemic reached its peak. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and death tolls soared as families lost multiple members to this highly infectious disease.

Local authorities attempted to mitigate the spread through quarantine measures and public awareness campaigns, but confusion and panic spread throughout communities. Many residents were unsure about the causes of the disease and its transmission, leading to rampant fear. This situation was compounded by the lack of understanding of cholera at the time. Medics relied on various theories, ranging from miasma to contagion, leading to inconsistent treatment and care protocols.

Throughout the outbreak, mourning and chaos gripped the affected areas, with bodies piling up before proper burials could occur. Community efforts arose as volunteers and family members worked to care for the sick and manage burials, sometimes at great personal risk. The cholera epidemic revealed significant flaws in public health policy and urban infrastructure, prompting future reforms in society's approach to sanitation and health care.