The 1st Canadian Parliament was in session from November 6, 1867, until July 8, 1872. The membership was set by the 1867 federal election from August 7 to September 20, 1867. It was prorogued prior to the 1872 election.
| 1st Parliament of Canada | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Majority parliament | |||
| 24 September 1867 – 8 July 1872 | |||
 | |||
| Parliament leaders | |||
| Prime Minister | Rt. Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald 1 Jul 1867 – 5 Nov 1873 | ||
| Cabinet | 1st Canadian Ministry | ||
| Party caucuses | |||
| Government | Conservative Party & Liberal-Conservative | ||
| Opposition | Liberal Party | ||
| Crossbench | Anti-Confederation Party | ||
| House of Commons | |||
 Seating arrangements of the House of Commons | |||
| Speaker of the Commons | Hon. James Cockburn November 6, 1867 – March 25, 1874 | ||
| Members | 180 MP seats List of members | ||
| Senate | |||
| Speaker of the Senate | The Hon. Joseph-Édouard Cauchon November 5, 1867 – May 16, 1869 | ||
| Government Senate Leader | Alexander Campbell July 1, 1867 – November 5, 1873 | ||
| Opposition Senate Leader | Luc Letellier de St-Just July 1, 1867 – November 5, 1873 | ||
| Senators | 72 senator seats List of senators | ||
| Sovereign | |||
| Monarch | Victoria 1 July 1867 – 22 Jan. 1901 | ||
| Governor General | The Viscount Monck 1 July 1867 – 14 Nov. 1868 | ||
| Lord Lisgar 2 Feb. 1869 – 25 June 1872 | |||
| The Earl of Dufferin 25 June 1872 – 25 Nov. 1878 | |||
| Sessions | |||
| 1st session November 6, 1867 – May 22, 1868 | |||
| 2nd session April 15, 1869 – June 22, 1869 | |||
| 3rd session February 15, 1870 – May 12, 1870 | |||
| 4th session February 15, 1871 – April 14, 1871 | |||
| 5th session April 11, 1872 – June 14, 1872 | |||
| |||
It was controlled by a majority coalition between the Conservative Party and the Liberal-Conservative Party under Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and the 1st Canadian Ministry. The Official Opposition was the Liberal Party, led by Edward Blake from 1869 to 1871, followed by a vacancy in the Liberal leadership.
The Speaker was James Cockburn. See also List of Canadian electoral districts (1867–1871) for a list of the ridings in this parliament.
Members of Parliament
Following is a full list of members of the first parliament by province. Cabinet members are bolded.
Electoral districts denoted by an asterisk (*) indicates that district was represented by two members.
Nova Scotia
Note:
1 – The Anti-Confederate Party dissolved after failing to secure Nova Scotia's secession from Confederation. In 1869 its members joined other parties, or in one case sat as an independent.
New Brunswick
| Electoral district | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert | John Wallace | Liberal | |
| Carleton | Charles Connell | Liberal | |
| Charlotte | John Bolton | Liberal | |
| City and County of Saint John | John Hamilton Gray | Conservative | |
| City of Saint John | Samuel Leonard Tilley | Liberal-Conservative | |
| Gloucester | Timothy Warren Anglin | Liberal | |
| Kent | Auguste Renaud | Liberal | |
| King's | George Ryan | Liberal | |
| Northumberland | John Mercer Johnson to September 8, 1868 (death) | Liberal | |
| Richard Hutchison from December 24, 1868 | Liberal | ||
| Queen's | John Ferris | Liberal | |
| Restigouche | John McMillan to February 15, 1868 (appointed Inspector of Post Offices) | Liberal | |
| William Murray Caldwell from March 13, 1868, to September 29, 1870 (death) | Liberal | ||
| George Moffat from November 29, 1870 | Conservative | ||
| Sunbury | Charles Burpee | Liberal | |
| Victoria | John Costigan | Liberal-Conservative | |
| Westmorland | Albert James Smith | Liberal | |
| York | Charles Fisher to October 3, 1868 (appointed to the Supreme Court of New Brunswick) | Liberal | |
| John Pickard from October 28, 1868 | Independent Liberal | ||
Quebec
Four Quebec members recontested their seats in byelections, and were re-elected:
2 – John Rose was reelected in Huntingdon on November 28, 1867, after being named Minister of Finance.
3 – Barthélemy Pouliot was unseated on petition, but was reelected in L'Islet on July 14, 1869.
4 – Christopher Dunkin was reelected in Brome on November 29, 1869, after being named Minister of Agriculture.
5 – John Henry Pope was reelected in Compton on November 11, 1871, after being named Minister of Agriculture following Dunkin's resignation from Parliament.
Ontario
Note:
6 – One Ontario MP, Alexander Morris, recontested his seat in a byelection. He was reelected in Lanark South on November 29, 1869, after being appointed Minister of Inland Revenue.
Manitoba
Manitoba joined Confederation in 1870. Byelections to choose Manitoba's representatives were held on March 2 and March 3, 1871.
| Electoral district | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisgar | John Christian Schultz from March 2, 1871 | Conservative | |
| Marquette* (both candidates declared elected due to a tie) |
James S. Lynch from March 2, 1871 | Liberal | |
| Angus McKay from March 2, 1871 | Conservative | ||
| Selkirk | Donald Alexander Smith from March 2, 1871 | Independent Conservative | |
| Provencher | Pierre Delorme from March 3, 1871 | Conservative | |
British Columbia
British Columbia joined Confederation in 1871. Byelections to choose the province's representatives were held in November and December of that year.
| Electoral district | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cariboo District | Joshua Spencer Thompson from December 19, 1871 | Liberal-Conservative | |
| New Westminster District | Hugh Nelson from December 13, 1871 | Liberal-Conservative | |
| Vancouver | Robert Wallace from December 15, 1871 | Conservative | |
| Victoria* | Amor De Cosmos from November 24, 1871 | Liberal | |
| Henry Nathan, Jr. from November 24, 1871 | Liberal | ||
| Yale District | Charles Frederick Houghton from December 19, 1871 | Liberal | |
Pre-Confederation predecessors
| Colony | Assembly |
|---|---|
| Province of Canada | 8th Parliament |
| Nova Scotia | 22nd General Assembly |
| New Brunswick | 21st Legislative Assembly |
By-elections
| By-election | Date | Incumbent | Party | Winner | Party | Cause | Retained | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale District | December 19, 1871 | New seat | Charles Frederick Houghton | Liberal | New riding as a result of British Columbia joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| Cariboo | December 19, 1871 | New seat | Joshua Spencer Thompson | Liberal-Conservative | New riding as a result of British Columbia joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| Vancouver Island | December 15, 1871 | New seat | Robert Wallace | Conservative | New riding as a result of British Columbia joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| New Westminster | December 13, 1871 | New seat | Hugh Nelson | Liberal-Conservative | New riding as a result of British Columbia joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| Victoria | November 24, 1871 | New seat | Henry Nathan, Jr. and Amor De Cosmos | Liberal | New riding as a result of British Columbia joining Confederation. Two MPs elected | NA | |||
| Brome | November 17, 1871 | Christopher Dunkin | Conservative | Edward Carter | Conservative | Appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec | Yes | ||
| Compton | November 11, 1871 | John Henry Pope | Conservative | John Henry Pope | Conservative | Recontested upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture | Yes | ||
| Montcalm | September 15, 1871 | Joseph Dufresne | Conservative | Firmin Dugas | Conservative | Appointed Sheriff of the County of St. John | Yes | ||
| Algoma | June 30, 1871 | Wemyss Mackenzie Simpson | Conservative | Frederick William Cumberland | Conservative | Appointed Indian Commissioner for the North | Yes | ||
| Hastings East | March 20, 1871 | Robert Read | Conservative | John White | Conservative | Called to the Senate | Yes | ||
| Provencher | March 3, 1871 | New seat | Pierre Delorme | Conservative | New riding as a result of Manitoba joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| Selkirk | March 2, 1871 | New seat | Donald Alexander Smith | Independent Conservative | New riding as a result of Manitoba joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| Lisgar | March 2, 1871 | New seat | John Christian Schultz | Conservative | New riding as a result of Manitoba joining Confederation. | NA | |||
| Marquette | March 2, 1871 | New seat | James S. Lynch and Angus McKay | Liberal and Conservative | New riding as a result of Manitoba joining Confederation. Two MPs elected due to a tie. | NA | |||
| Restigouche | November 29, 1870 | William Murray Caldwell | Liberal | George Moffat, Sr. | Conservative | Appointed Inspector of Post Offices in New Brunswick | No | ||
| Richelieu | November 18, 1870 | Thomas McCarthy | Conservative | Georges Isidore Barthe | Independent Conservative | Death | No | ||
| Colchester | November 8, 1870 | Adams George Archibald | Liberal-Conservative | Frederick M. Pearson | Liberal | Appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba and the North-West Territories | No | ||
| St. Hyacinthe | September 1, 1870 | Alexandre-Édouard Kierzkowski | Liberal | Louis Delorme | Liberal | Death | Yes | ||
| Bellechasse | August 15, 1870 | Louis-Napoléon Casault | Conservative | Télesphore Fournier | Liberal | Appointed to Superior Court of Quebec | No | ||
| Quebec East | July 18, 1870 | Pierre-Gabriel Huot | Liberal | Adolphe Guillet dit Tourangeau | Conservative | Appointed Postmaster at Quebec | No | ||
| Missisquoi | July 5, 1870 | Brown Chamberlin | Conservative | George Barnard Baker | Liberal-Conservative | Appointed Queen's Printer | Yes | ||
| Kings | June 23, 1870 | William Henry Chipman | Anti-Confederate | Leverett de Veber Chipman | Liberal | Death | No | ||
| Cumberland | June 15, 1870 | Charles Tupper | Conservative | Charles Tupper | Conservative | Recontested upon appointment as President of the Privy Council | Yes | ||
| Frontenac | April 27, 1870 | Thomas Kirkpatrick | Conservative | George Airey Kirkpatrick | Conservative | Death | Yes | ||
| Brome | November 29, 1869 | Christopher Dunkin | Conservative | Christopher Dunkin | Conservative | Recontested upon appointment as Minister of Agriculture | Yes | ||
| Lanark South | November 29, 1869 | Alexander Morris | Conservative | Alexander Morris | Conservative | Recontested upon appointment as Minister of Inland Revenue | Yes | ||
| Renfrew South | November 29, 1869 | Daniel McLachlin | Liberal | John Lorn McDougall | Liberal | Resignation | Yes | ||
| Renfrew North | November 13, 1869 | John Rankin | Liberal-Conservative | Francis Hincks | Conservative | Resignation to provide a seat for Hincks | Yes | ||
| Huntingdon | October 30, 1869 | John Rose | Liberal-Conservative | Julius Scriver | Liberal | Resignation to move to London where he acted as the Prime Minister's unofficial representative to the UK. | No | ||
| Colchester | September 9, 1869 | Archibald McLelan | Anti-Confederate | Adams George Archibald | Liberal-Conservative | Called to the Senate | No | ||
| L'Islet | July 14, 1869 | Barthélemy Pouliot | Conservative | Barthélemy Pouliot | Conservative | Election annulled | Yes | ||
| Wellington Centre | July 12, 1869 | Thomas Sutherland Parker | Liberal | James Ross | Liberal | Death | Yes | ||
| Hants | April 24, 1869 | Joseph Howe | Anti-Confederate | Joseph Howe | Liberal-Conservative | Recontested upon appointment as President of the Privy Council | No | ||
| Yarmouth | April 20, 1869 | Thomas Killam | Anti-Confederate | Frank Killam | Liberal | Death | No | ||
| Richmond | April 20, 1869 | William Joseph Croke | Anti-Confederate | Isaac LeVesconte | Conservative | Death | No | ||
| Kamouraska | February 17, 1869 | Vacant | Charles Alphonse Pantaléon Pelletier | Liberal | No election held in 1867 due to riots | NA | |||
| Northumberland | December 24, 1868 | John Mercer Johnson | Liberal | Richard Hutchison | Liberal | Death | Yes | ||
| Saint Maurice | October 30, 1868 | Louis-Léon Lesieur Desaulniers | Conservative | Élie Lacerte | Conservative | Appointed inspector of prisons and asylums in Quebec | Yes | ||
| York | October 28, 1868 | Charles Fisher | Liberal | John Pickard | Independent Liberal | Appointed to New Brunswick Supreme Court | No | ||
| Three Rivers | October 17, 1868 | Louis-Charles Boucher de Niverville | Conservative | William McDougall | Conservative | Appointed sheriff for the district of Trois-Rivières | Yes | ||
| York West | August 14, 1868 | William Pearce Howland | Liberal-Conservative | Amos Wright | Liberal | Appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario | No | ||
| Montreal West | April 20, 1868 | Thomas D'Arcy McGee | Liberal-Conservative | Michael Patrick Ryan | Liberal-Conservative | Death (assassinated) | Yes | ||
| Lincoln | April 13, 1868 | James Rea Benson | Liberal-Conservative | Thomas Rodman Merritt | Liberal | Called to the Senate | No | ||
| Restigouche | March 13, 1868 | John McMillan | Liberal | William Murray Caldwell | Liberal | Appointed Inspector of Post Offices in New Brunswick | Yes | ||
| Montmorency | December 11, 1867 | Joseph-Édouard Cauchon | Conservative | Jean Langlois | Conservative | Called to the Senate | Yes | ||
| Huntingdon | November 28, 1867 | John Rose | Liberal-Conservative | John Rose | Liberal-Conservative | Recontested upon appointment as Minister of Finance | Yes | ||
Throne Speeches
1st Session
On Thursday November 7, 1867. The 1st session of the 1st parliament of the Dominion of Canada opened with a speech from the throne by the governor general, Charles Stanley Monck (The Viscount Monck).
In the speech, the governor general remarks the creation of the Dominion of Canada itself and the future expansion of the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Some notable objectives for this first government would be to determine "Currency, Customs, Excise, and Revenue generally,-for the adoption of a uniform Postal System,-for the proper management and maintenance of the Public Works and Properties of the Dominion,-for the adoption of a well considered scheme of Militia Organization and Defence, for the proper administration of Indian affairs,-for the introduction of uniform Laws respecting Patents of Invention and Discovery,-the naturalization of Aliens,-and :the assimilation of the Criminal Law, and the Laws relating to Bankruptcy and Insolvency." He also notes the imperative immediate construction of the intercolonial railway. As well as the protection and development of Fisheries and Marine Interests. Finally, he speaks on the necessity to establish uniform laws regarding elections.[1]
2nd Session
On Thursday April 15, 1869. The 2nd session of the 1st parliament of the Dominion of Canada opened with a speech from the throne by the governor general, John Young (The Lord Lisgar).
In the speech, the governor general speaks on confederation and the initiatives to bring parts of the Hudson Bay Company (The Northwest Territory) and Newfoundland into the union. He also speaks on the assimilation of provincial criminal laws into federal criminal laws. He also touches on future bills focusing on Elections, Bankruptcy and Insolvency, and Patents of invention and discovery.[2]
3rd Session
On Tuesday February 15, 1870. The 3rd session of the 1st parliament of the Dominion of Canada opened with a speech from the throne by the governor general, John Young (The Lord Lisgar).
In the speech, he remarks the growing economy of the Dominion - specifically noting the fisheries. He also speaks on the difficulties faced in acquiring the Northwest Territory and the desire to go through with the assimilation. He continues in speaking on making the election process uniform among the country. He also notes the necessity to create a Court of Appeal as well as the need to prepare for the upcoming 1871 census.[3]
4th Session
On Wednesday February 15, 1871. The 4th session of the 1st parliament of the Dominion of Canada opened with a speech from the throne by the governor general, John Young (The Lord Lisgar).
In the speech, he highlights the menace of invasion from the United States. He also celebrates the creation of the province of Manitoba and looks forward to the same from British Columbia. On that topic, he speaks on the importance of the interoceanic railway to be created. He encourages more immigration to these new territories. He recommends the swift standardization of currency to not fall into the divisiveness seen in Europe. He says the census will occur on April 3, 1971. He briefly touches on some future bills pertaining to Parliamentary Elections, Weights and Measures, Insurance Companies, Savings Banks, and for the Consolidation and amendment of the Inspection Laws.[4]
5th Session
On Thursday April 11, 1872. The 5th session of the 1st parliament of the Dominion of Canada opened with a speech from the throne by the governor general, John Young (The Lord Lisgar).
In the speech, he highlights the threat of invasion of Manitoba from the United States. He remarks on a conference held in Ottawa in September 1871 on the subject of immigration. He recognizes the adoption of British Columbia into the union and the continuation of the railway project. He encourages the development of canals and a direct water communication between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy. He notes that the census has taken place. He briefly mentions future bills pertaining to Judges of Superior Courts-to the regulation and management of the Public Lands and Mines of the Dominion in Manitoba and the North West Territories, aid for the amendment of the laws relating to the Public Health.[5]
References
- ^ "Documents. Throne Speech" (PDF). parl.ca. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Documents. Throne Speech" (PDF). parl.ca. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Documents. Throne Speech" (PDF). parl.ca. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Documents. Throne Speech" (PDF). parl.ca. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Documents. Throne Speech" (PDF). parl.ca. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
Works cited
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2022) |
- Hodgins, William Egerton, ed. (1896). Correspondence, reports of the ministers of justice and orders in council upon the subject of Dominion and provincial legislation, 1867-1895. CIHM/ICMH Microfiche series / CIHM/ICMH collection de microfiches; no. 14543. Ottawa: Canada. Department of Justice; Government Print Bureau. hdl:2027/aeu.ark:/13960/t3zs37z6q. ISBN 978-0-665-14543-8.
- Government of Canada. "1st Ministry". Guide to Canadian Ministries since Confederation. Privy Council Office. Archived from the original on 2005-12-28. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- Government of Canada. "1st Parliament". Members of the House of Commons: 1867 to Date: By Parliament. Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 2006-12-20. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
- Government of Canada. "Duration of Sessions". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- Government of Canada. "General Elections". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- Government of Canada. "Key Dates for each Parliament". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 2005-09-14. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- Government of Canada. "Leaders of the Opposition in the House of Commons". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- Government of Canada. "Prime Ministers of Canada". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- Government of Canada. "Speakers". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on 2006-09-17. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
