2nd Canadian Parliament


The 2nd Canadian Parliament was in session from March 5, 1873, until January 2, 1874. The membership was set by the 1872 federal election from July 20 to October 12, 1872, and it changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections until it was dissolved prior to the 1874 election. Among the by-elections were the first election of PEI MPs, PEI joining Confederation in 1873.
It was first controlled by a Conservative/Liberal-Conservative majority under Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and the 1st Canadian Ministry. The Official Opposition was the Liberal Party, led by Alexander Mackenzie. After a scandal in the Conservative Party, the Liberals took power, forming the 2nd Canadian Ministry. Alexander Mackenzie, now Prime Minister, immediately called an election.
The Speaker of the [House of Commons of Canada|Speaker] was James Cockburn. See also List of Canadian electoral districts 1872-1873 for a list of the ridings in this parliament.
The unusual case of a new party taking control of the government between elections has only happened in the federal government twice; the other occasion was in the 15th Canadian parliament.
There were two sessions of the 2nd Parliament:
SessionStartEnd
1stMarch 5, 1873August 13, 1873
2ndOctober 23, 1873November 7, 1873

List of members

Following is a full list of members of the second parliament listed first by province, then by electoral district.
Key:
  • Party leaders are italicized.
  • Cabinet ministers are in boldface.
  • The Prime Minister is both.
  • The Speaker is indicated by "".
Electoral districts denoted by an asterisk indicates that district was represented by two members.

New Brunswick

Two MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
  • Albert James Smith was reelected in Westmorland on November 28, 1873.
  • Isaac Burpee was reelected in the City and County of St. John on December 1, 1873.

Nova Scotia

Two MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
  • Hugh McDonald was reelected in Antigonish on July 7, 1873, on being named Minister of Militia and Defence.
  • Thomas Coffin was reelected in Shelburne on July 11, 1873, on being named Receiver-General of Canada.

Ontario

Five MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
  • Thomas Nicholson Gibbs was reelected in Ontario South on July 7, 1873.
  • Alexander Mackenzie was reelected in Lambton on November 25, 1873.
  • Donald Alexander MacDonald was reelected in Glengarry on November 26, 1873.
  • Richard John Cartwright was reelected in Lennox on December 3, 1873.
  • Edward Blake was reelected in Bruce South on December 4, 1873.

Quebec

Three MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island joined Canada on July 1, 1873. By-elections for the House of Commons were held on September 29, 1873.
Electoral districtNamePartyFirst electedNo. of terms
King's County*Daniel DaviesConservative18731st term
King's County*Augustine Colin MacdonaldLiberal-Conservative18731st term
Prince County*James Colledge PopeConservative18731st term
Prince County*James YeoLiberal18731st term
Queen's County*David LairdLiberal18731st term
Queen's County*Peter Sinclair Sr.Liberal18731st term