The Legislative Council of Newfoundland was the upper house of the General Assembly of Newfoundland from 1833 to 1934.
Legislative Council of Newfoundland | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | 1833 |
| Disbanded | 1934 |
| Preceded by | none |
| Succeeded by | none |
The Legislative Council was appointed by the governor of Newfoundland, not elected. Bills were submitted by the House of Assembly to the Council, which could approve, reject or amend them; if amended, bills were returned to the House of Assembly for approval.[1]
From 1842 to 1848, the elected House of Assembly and appointed Legislative Council sat together as a single Amalgamated Assembly. After 1848, the two legislative bodies again sat separately.[1]
In 1854, the British Government granted a new constitution to Newfoundland establishing an Executive Council of not more than seven members of the majority party and a Legislative Council of not more than 15 members upon nomination of the ministry.[2]
The Legislative Council of Newfoundland and the House of Assembly met for the last time in February 1934 to pass the legislation which provided for their suspensions.[3] The Royal Commission which was established in 1933 concluded that Newfoundland's problems were self-made, as noted in the Amulree Report, and it was recommended that the legislature be suspended and be replaced by a Commission of Government appointed by the British Government.[4]
When the Newfoundland House of Assembly was reinstituted following the admission of the dominion into Canadian Confederation the Legislative Council was not brought back into existence.[3] However, Term 14(2) of the Newfoundland Terms of Union allows for the province to re-establish the Legislative Council.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Government Structure, 1832-1855". Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage. Memorial University.
- ^ "The Development of Self-Government in Newfoundland". Newfoundland History. Marianopolis College.
- ^ a b "History of the House of Assembly". Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.
- ^ "Collapse of Responsible Government, 1929-1934". Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage. Memorial University.
- ^ "Our Terms of Union with Canada". Royal Commission on Renewing & Strengthening our Place in Canada.
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