HC Deb 20 June 1822 vol 7 c1199
Mr. Wilmot

brought in a bill "to make more effectual provision for the Government of the Provinces of Lower and Upper Canada, and to regulate the Trade thereof."

Mr. Ellice

considered the bill of great importance, and suggested, that the discussion on it should be taken in the committee upon some open night.

Mr. Wilmot

approved of the suggestion of the hon. member, and would fix the committal of the bill for the 1st of July.

Sir J. Mackintosh

agreed, that the bill was a most important measure, since its object was, to consolidate the two provinces of Canada, by effecting a union between them; and incorporating their legislatures. He did not mean to object to the course of proceeding suggested; but, without bringing into question the competence of parliament to pass such a bill, or the convenience which might be expected to result from it, he felt an insuperable objection to agree to the measure without affording ample time to the people of the provinces, and the legislatures by which they were represented, to express their opinions with respect to it. He felt alarmed at passing a bill affecting the most sacred rights of the people of the provinces at so late a period of the session. It was the practice of the House, not to pass a private bill affecting the rights of only two individuals before the parties had been sufficiently informed of its nature; surely, then, it would not sanction a measure for uniting two provinces, without affording to the inhabitants the fullest time for expressing their Opinions with regard to it. He would oppose the passing of the bill during the present session.

Mr. Wilmot

regretted that the hon. and learned gentleman should pledge himself to oppose the bill before he had heard the peculiar circumstances which rendered it necessary. He did not think it was necessary to apply to the people of the provinces for their consent to the measure, since their present constitution was derived from an act of the British legislature. He trusted that when the hon. and learned gentleman came to hear the statement which he (Mr. W.) intended to submit to the House, he would withdraw his objections to the passing of the bill.

The bill was read a first time.