Canadian Parliament Opens
The opening of the Canadian Parliament marks a significant milestone in the country's political history, dating back to June 14, 1841, when the first Parliament convened in Kingston, Ontario. This event was part of a broader historical context where Canada was transitioning from British colonial rule to greater autonomy. Following the British defeat of the French and their allies in the mid-18th century, Canada became a key part of British North America, eventually leading to the establishment of local assemblies in Upper and Lower Canada. However, dissatisfaction with British control escalated, culminating in the rebellion of 1837, which highlighted the need for political reform.
The Union Act of 1840 was a response to this unrest, uniting Upper and Lower Canada into one dominion and creating a single provincial Parliament. Over time, further legislative changes, particularly the British North America Act of 1867, granted Canada more authority and established it as a Dominion, with its parliamentary system gradually gaining real independence from Britain. Sir John A. Macdonald emerged as the first prime minister, leading the way toward a more self-governing Canada. Today, the Canadian Parliament stands as a testament to the country's evolving governance and democratic values.
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Canadian Parliament Opens
Canadian Parliament Opens
The first Canadian parliament, for what was then known as the Province of Canada (still under British control), opened in Kingston, Ontario, on June 14, 1841. Parliament would meet in Kingston for several years and then be relocated to Montreal, Quebec City, and Toronto until Ottawa was finally chosen as the country's permanent capital and seat of Parliament.
Great Britain came to dominate Canada after the French and Indian War of 1754–63, which was the North American struggle between Britain and France, then the world's two greatest powers. The British defeated the French and their American Indian allies, then incorporated the French territory known as New France (portions of modern-day Canada and the United States) into British North America. After the American Revolution ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, only the Canadian portion of British North America was left.
The British believed that too much colonial freedom had prompted the American Revolution, so they were determined to keep a tight lid on Canada. While they permitted the establishment in 1791 of local assemblies— one for Upper Canada (southern Ontario and along the Great Lakes) and one for Lower Canada (eastern Quebec)—British policy was to encourage the growth of a Canadian aristocracy that would be loyal to the empire and a counterweight to any movement for independence. Toward this end they appointed members of the colonial upper classes to governing councils, which dominated the local governments and were not accountable to the assemblies. These appointments caused considerable popular resentment which flared into open rebellion in 1837. Among the leaders were William Lyon Mackenzie, a journalist who had once served as the mayor of Toronto. The rebels were quickly crushed and most of them fled to the United States to avoid capture, but the British became convinced of the need to revise their policies.
The result was the Union Act of 1840—legislation passed by the British parliament uniting Upper and Lower Canada into one Canadian dominion. It established a single government for both sections, now known as Canada East and Canada West, consisting of the provincial Parliament, which first met on the date cited above, and a governor appointed by the British Crown. Parliament consisted of members drawn equally from the two halves of Canada. Greater authority and autonomy were granted to the Canadian parliament with the British North America Act of 1867, also known as the Constitution Act, which created the Dominion of Canada. Although the head of state was technically the king or queen of England, as is still so today, real power began to flow to the parliament and its prime minister. Sir John Alexander Macdonald was the first prime minister of the Dominion of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 to 1891, and he and his successors would secure real independence from Britain in the decades to come.