1st Council of the Northwest Territories
Encyclopedia
This is a list of appointed and elected members of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories in Canada
from November 7, 1876 to 1888. Prior to 1876, members were appointed to the Temporary North-West Council
.
The first members of the new council were appointed under the Northwest Territories Act. An elected member could join the council if an area of 1000 square miles (2,590 km²) had 1000 people, and an electoral district could be setup. This created a patchwork of represented and unrepresented areas, and there was no official or independent boundaries commission. The first district was Lorne in 1881.
When the first council formed under the new appointed government in 1876, the council consisted of the lieutenant governor, the chairman (speaker), and two appointed members. Because a quorum could not be maintained, the council had to be adjourned if one member went to the washroom. In 1888 during the first election, the council was 22 members and three appointed legal adviser members.
that took place on September 15, 1885. The election saw 11 members in 9 districts returned to the council, due to high population growth in the Northwest Territories at the time. After the 1885 election, elected members gained control over the council, and it became a full assembly. These are not considered general elections, as there was no dissolution of the assembly. However, after four years from the first election, a district had to have another election, and the incumbent had to run for re-election.
For list of elected candidates please see below.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from November 7, 1876 to 1888. Prior to 1876, members were appointed to the Temporary North-West Council
Temporary North-West Council
The Temporary North-West Council more formally known as the Council of the Northwest Territories and by its short name as the North-West Council lasted from the creation of Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1870 until it was dissolved in 1876...
.
The first members of the new council were appointed under the Northwest Territories Act. An elected member could join the council if an area of 1000 square miles (2,590 km²) had 1000 people, and an electoral district could be setup. This created a patchwork of represented and unrepresented areas, and there was no official or independent boundaries commission. The first district was Lorne in 1881.
When the first council formed under the new appointed government in 1876, the council consisted of the lieutenant governor, the chairman (speaker), and two appointed members. Because a quorum could not be maintained, the council had to be adjourned if one member went to the washroom. In 1888 during the first election, the council was 22 members and three appointed legal adviser members.
By-election dates and summaries
Twelve elections took place during the period of 1876–1888. The biggest was the election of 1885Northwest Territories election, 1885
The Northwest Territories election of 1885 was the first major election in the history of the territory. The election took place on 15 September 1885....
that took place on September 15, 1885. The election saw 11 members in 9 districts returned to the council, due to high population growth in the Northwest Territories at the time. After the 1885 election, elected members gained control over the council, and it became a full assembly. These are not considered general elections, as there was no dissolution of the assembly. However, after four years from the first election, a district had to have another election, and the incumbent had to run for re-election.
For list of elected candidates please see below.
March 23, 1881 Lorne by-election #1
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 1 | 250 | 63.61% |
| Defeated candidates | 1 | 143 | 36.39% |
| Total | 2 | 393 | 100% |
May 29, 1883 Edmonton by-election
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 1 | 155 | 59.62% |
| Defeated candidates | 2 | 105 | 40.38% |
| Total | 3 | 260 | 100% |
June 5, 1883 Lorne by-election #2
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 1 | 279 | 69.92% |
| Defeated candidates | 1 | 120 | 30.08% |
| Total | 2 | 399 | 100% |
August 13, 1883 Moose Jaw, Regina, Qu'Appelle sub-election
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 3 | 517 | 72.82% |
| Defeated candidates | 5 | 193 | 27.18% |
| Total | 8 | 710 | 100% |
August 31, 1883 Broadview by-election
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 1 | 91 | 55.83% |
| Defeated candidates | 1 | 72 | 44.17% |
| Total | 2 | 163 | 100% |
June 28, 1884 Calgary, Moose Mountain by-election
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 2 | 198 | 58.41% |
| Defeated candidates | 2 | 141 | 41.59% |
| Total | 4 | 339 | 100% |
July 8, 1886 Moose Mountain by-election #2
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | New | # | % | |
| Acclaimed candidates | 1 | - | - | - |
| Total | 1 | - | - | |
July 14, 1886 Calgary, by-election #2
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 2 | 427 | 61.88% |
| Defeated candidates | 2 | 263 | 38.12% |
| Total | 4 | 690 | 100% |
October 14, 1886 Qu'Appelle by-election #2
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 1 | 332 | 53.37% |
| Defeated candidates | 1 | 290 | 46.62% |
| Total | 2 | 622 | 100% |
May 24, 1887 Qu'Appelle by-election #3
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 2 | 427 | 61.88% |
| Defeated candidates | 2 | 263 | 38.12% |
| Total | 4 | 690 | 100% |
September 5, 1887 Macleod by-election
| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | ||
| Elected candidates | 1 | 301 | 65.86% |
| Defeated candidates | 1 | 156 | 34.14% |
| Total | 2 | 457 | 100% |
Legislative session dates
- 1st Legislative Session, March 8, 1877 to March 22, 1877
- 2nd Legislative Session, July 10, 1878 to August 2, 1878
- 3rd Legislative Session, August 28, 1879 to September 22, 1879
- 4th Legislative Session, May 26, 1881 to June 11, 1881
- 5th Legislative Session, August 20, 1883 to October 4, 1883
- 6th Legislative Session, July 3, 1884 to August 16, 1884
- 7th Legislative Session, November 5, 1885 to December 18, 1885
- 8th Legislative Session, October 13, 1886 to November 19, 1886
- 9th Legislative Session, October 14, 1887 to November 19, 1887
Elected members of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories
For complete electoral history, see individual districts| District | Member | Date Elected | Date Left Office | Reason for leaving office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadview Broadview (N.W.T. electoral district) Broadview was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1888 when the electoral districts were redistributed under the North-West Representation Act after it passed through the... |
John Claude Hamilton | August 31, 1883 | September 14, 1887 | Retirement? |
| Broadview Broadview (N.W.T. electoral district) Broadview was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1888 when the electoral districts were redistributed under the North-West Representation Act after it passed through the... |
Charles Marshallsay | September 16, 1885 | November 5, 1887 | Death |
| Calgary Calgary (N.W.T. electoral district) Calgary was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1884.The riding was split into East Calgary, West Calgary and High River in 1894.... |
James Davidson Geddes James Davidson Geddes James Davidson Geddes was a Canadian accountant, rancher and politician who served a term in the Northwest Territories Legislature.-Early life:Geddes lived in Galt, Ontario and worked as an accountant for the Merchants Bank... |
June 28, 1884 | 1886 | |
| Calgary Calgary (N.W.T. electoral district) Calgary was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1884.The riding was split into East Calgary, West Calgary and High River in 1894.... |
John D. Lauder John D. Lauder Dr. John Drought Lauder was a Canadian territorial level politician, rancher, police officer civil servant and medical doctor. As a police officer for the North-West Mounted Police he saw active service during the North-West Rebellion... |
July 14, 1886 | June 30, 1888 | Retirement |
| Calgary Calgary (N.W.T. electoral district) Calgary was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1884.The riding was split into East Calgary, West Calgary and High River in 1894.... |
Hugh Cayley Hugh Cayley Hugh St. Quentin Cayley was a Canadian lawyer, news reporter and politician.-Early life:Hugh St. Quentin Cayley was born on November 19, 1857 in Toronto. He was raised in Upper Canada and one of eleven children fathered by William Cayley... |
July 14, 1886 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Edmonton Edmonton (N.W.T. electoral district) Edmonton was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905. In 1888 the riding returned the top two candidates after it was merged with the St. Albert electoral district. The... |
Frank Oliver | May 29, 1883 |
September 15, 1885 | Defeated |
| Edmonton Edmonton (N.W.T. electoral district) Edmonton was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905. In 1888 the riding returned the top two candidates after it was merged with the St. Albert electoral district. The... |
Herbert Charles Wilson Herbert Charles Wilson Herbert Charles Wilson was a Canadian politician and physician. He served as mayor of the Town of Edmonton and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories.... |
September 15, 1885 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Lorne Lorne (N.W.T. electoral district) Lorne was an electoral district that existed in the District of Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories from 1880 until 1888. The district was one of the first three created by Royal Proclamation in 1880... |
Lawrence Clarke Lawrence Clarke Lawrence Clarke was the Chief Factor of the District of Saskatchewan for the Hudson's Bay Company. He resided at Fort Carlton in Canada. He later became a magistrate... |
March 23, 1881 | June 4, 1883 | Retirement |
| Lorne Lorne (N.W.T. electoral district) Lorne was an electoral district that existed in the District of Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories from 1880 until 1888. The district was one of the first three created by Royal Proclamation in 1880... |
Day Hort MacDowall Day Hort MacDowall Day Hort MacDowall was a politician from old Northwest Territories, Canada.Born in Carruth House, Renfrewshire, Scotland, MacDowall immigrated to Canada in 1879. He was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in 1883 and served until 1885... |
June 5, 1883 | September 14, 1885 | Retirement |
| Lorne Lorne (N.W.T. electoral district) Lorne was an electoral district that existed in the District of Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories from 1880 until 1888. The district was one of the first three created by Royal Proclamation in 1880... |
Owen Hughes | September 15, 1885 | June 30, 1888 | Retirement |
| Macleod Macleod (N.W.T. electoral district) Macelod was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1885 and abolished in 1905 when the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were created.... |
Richard Henry Boyle Richard Henry Boyle, 6th Earl of Shannon Richard Henry Boyle, 6th Earl of Shannon was a politician in Canada's Northwest Territories. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1885 to 1887.-Early life:... |
September 15, 1885 | August, 1887 | Resignation |
| Macleod Macleod (N.W.T. electoral district) Macelod was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1885 and abolished in 1905 when the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were created.... |
Frederick Haultain Frederick W. A. G. Haultain Sir Frederick William Alpin Gordon Haultain was a lawyer and a long serving Canadian politician and judge. His career in provincial and territorial legislatures stretched into four decades... |
September 5, 1887 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Moose Jaw Moose Jaw (N.W.T. electoral district) Moose Jaw was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905 when Alberta and Saskatchewan were created.... |
James Hamilton Ross James Hamilton Ross James Hamilton Ross was a Canadian politician, the Yukon Territory's third Commissioner, and an ardent defender of territorial rights... |
August 13, 1883 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Moose Mountain Moose Mountain (N.W.T. electoral district) Moose Mountain was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1884 and abolished in 1888... |
John Gillanders Turriff John Gillanders Turriff John Gillanders Turriff was a Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Petit-Métis, Canada East, Turriff as a young man settled in Western Canada, first in Manitoba, where he established himself as a farmer, and subsequently in that part of the North-West Territories which corresponds to the modern... |
June 29, 1884 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Moosomin Moosomin (N.W.T. electoral district) Moosomin was a territorial electoral district in Northwest Territories, Canada that came into existence by Royal Proclamation in 1885 and was abolished when Alberta and Saskatchewan were created in 1905.-History:... |
Spencer Bedford | September 15, 1885 | June 30, 1888 | Retirement |
| Qu'Appelle Qu'Appelle (N.W.T. electoral district) Qu'Appelle was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created as a single member electoral district by royal proclamation in 1883. In 1885 the riding was mandated to return two members to the Assembly. In 1888 the riding was... |
Thomas Wesley Jackson | August 13, 1883 | September, 1886 | Resignation |
| Qu'Appelle Qu'Appelle (N.W.T. electoral district) Qu'Appelle was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created as a single member electoral district by royal proclamation in 1883. In 1885 the riding was mandated to return two members to the Assembly. In 1888 the riding was... |
William Dell Perley William Dell Perley William Dell Perley was a farmer and politician from western Canada.William has had an extensive political career, he ran at least twice for the Canadian House of Commons in Sunbury electoral district as a Conservative being defeated both times in 1878 and 1882 in hotly contested and very close... |
September 15, 1885 | February 22, 1887 | Elected in 1887 Federal Election |
| Qu'Appelle Qu'Appelle (N.W.T. electoral district) Qu'Appelle was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created as a single member electoral district by royal proclamation in 1883. In 1885 the riding was mandated to return two members to the Assembly. In 1888 the riding was... |
Robert Crawford | October 14, 1886 | June 30, 1888 | Retirement |
| Qu'Appelle Qu'Appelle (N.W.T. electoral district) Qu'Appelle was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created as a single member electoral district by royal proclamation in 1883. In 1885 the riding was mandated to return two members to the Assembly. In 1888 the riding was... |
William Sutherland William Sutherland (N.W.T. politician) William Sutherland was a general merchant and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Qu'Appelle in the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories from 1887 to 1888 and North Qu'Appelle in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1898 as a... |
May 24, 1887 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Regina Regina (N.W.T. electoral district) Regina was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1888. The North-West Representation Act 1888 split the riding into South Regina and North Regina.- Members of the... |
William White | August 13, 1883 | August 12, 1885 | Retirement |
| Regina Regina (N.W.T. electoral district) Regina was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1888. The North-West Representation Act 1888 split the riding into South Regina and North Regina.- Members of the... |
David Jelly David Jelly David Finlay Jelly was an educator, farmer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada... |
September 15, 1885 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| Regina Regina (N.W.T. electoral district) Regina was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1888. The North-West Representation Act 1888 split the riding into South Regina and North Regina.- Members of the... |
John Secord John Secord John Secord was a lawyer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Regina in the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories from 1885 to 1888 and South Regina in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1891 as a Liberal-Conservative.He was... |
September 15, 1885 | June 30, 1888 | Re-elected 1888 election |
| St. Albert St. Albert (N.W.T. electoral district) St. Albert was a territorial electoral district that existed twice in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The first district existed from 1885 until 1888. The district was recreated in 1891 and was abolished in 1905.-History:... |
Samuel Cunningham Samuel Cunningham (politician) Samuel Cunningham was a former politician from Northwest Territories, Canada.Cunningham was elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of St. Albert by acclimation in the 1885 Northwest Territories election... |
September 15, 1885 | June 30, 1888 | Defeated 1888 election |
Appointed members of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories
| Member | Date Joined Council | Date Left Office | Reason for leaving office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Ryan | January 1, 1876 | 1883 | Retirement? |
| Hugh Richardson | January 1, 1876 | June 30, 1888 | Re-appointed after the Election of 1888 |
| James Macleod James Macleod Lieutenant-Colonel James Farquharson Macleod , born in Drynoch, Isle of Skye, Scotland, was a militia officer, lawyer, NWMP officer, magistrate, judge, and politician in Alberta. He served as the second Commissioner of the North-West Mounted Police, from July 22, 1876, to October 31, 1880... |
January 1, 1876 | June 30, 1888 | Re-appointed after the Election of 1888 |
| Patrice Breland | July 10, 1878 | June 30, 1888 | Lost appointment when Legislature dissolved |
| Acheson Gosford Irvine | August 20, 1883 | June 30, 1888 | Lost appointment when Legislature dissolved |
| Hayter Reed | August 20, 1883 | June 30, 1888 | Lost appointment when Legislature dissolved |
| Charles Rouleau Charles Rouleau Charles Borromée Rouleau was a 19th-century Canadian politician, lawyer, judge and writer... |
July 3, 1883 | June 30, 1888 | Re-appointed after the Election of 1888 |
| Jeremiah Travis | 1885? | ? | ? |
See also
- List of Northwest Territories premiers
- List of Northwest Territories commissioners
- List of Northwest Territories lieutenant-governors
- List of Northwest Territories general elections
