Special Council of Lower Canada

The Special Council of Lower Canada was an appointed body which administered Lower Canada until the Union Act of 1840 created the Province of Canada. Following the Lower Canada Rebellion, on March 27, 1838, the Constitutional Act of 1791 was suspended and both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council were dissolved. The Act of Union created a common upper and lower house with representation from both of the former provinces of Upper and Lower Canada.

In November 1839, the Special Council approved proposals made by Governor Sydenham for the union of the two Canadas.

There were three Special Councils:

• the first, appointed by Sir John Colborne, existed from April 2, 1838 to June 1, 1838
• the second, appointed by Lord Durham, existed from June 28, 1838 to November 2, 1838
• the third, appointed by Sir John Colborne, existed from November 2, 1838 to February 10, 1841

Lists of Members of the Special Council

Notes

1. ↑ named to Council April 27, 1838
2. ↑ named to council July 9, 1838
3. ↑ named to council August 22, 1838
4. ↑ named to council on November 11, 1839
5. ↑ died October 5, 1840
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 named to council August 1, 1839
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 named to council September 19, 1839
8. ↑ named to council September 30, 1839
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 named to council April 16, 1840
10. ↑ named to council April 18, 1840
11. ↑ named to council May 23, 1840

See also

• Constitutional history of Canada

External links

• Assemblée nationale du Québec (French)
• Journals of the Special Council of the province of Lower Canada, Armour & Ramsay (1838-1841) (Canadiana.org)