1st Quebec Legislature

Legislature of Quebec

Législature du Québec
First Legislature, 1867 - 1871
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
HousesLegislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Term limits
Four years, subject to earlier dissolution
History
FoundedJuly 1, 1867 (1867-07-01)
Succeeded bySecond Legislature of Quebec, 1871-1875
Leadership
Structure
SeatsLegislative Council: 24
Legislative Assembly: 65
Legislative Council political groups
Conservatives 21
Liberals 3
Legislative Assembly political groups
Conservatives 51
Liberals 12
Independent 1
Vacant 1
Elections
Legislative Council voting system
Life appointments
Legislative Assembly voting system
Single member constituencies
First-past-the-post voting
Open ballot system
Adult male franchise with property qualification
Constitution
British North America Act, 1867

The First Legislature of Quebec was summoned in 1867 when the new Canadian province of Quebec was created, as part of the new country of Canada.

The legislature had two chambers: the elected lower house, the Legislative Assembly, and the appointed upper house, the Legislative Council. The first general election for the Legislative Assembly was held in August and September, 1867, and returned a majority for the Quebec Conservative Party led by Premier Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau. The Liberal Party of Quebec formed the Official Opposition.

The Chauveau government then appointed the first members to the Legislative Council in November, 1867, who were sworn into their positions in December, 1867. The Conservatives had a strong majority in the Legislative Council.

The first session of the legislature was called on December 27, 1867. The legislature had four annual sessions, until its dissolution on May 27, 1871, triggering the second general election.