In 1841, Upper and Lower Canada were merged to form the Province of Canada. Québec City lost its position as capital to Montréal. In 1852, Québec City regained this status, alternating with Toronto for several years. A new parliament building was erected in Québec City for the occasion. However, it accidentally burned down in 1854. Another parliament building was inaugurated in Québec City in 1859 but, in 1883, it too burned down. By 1884, however, Québec City’s elected officials were sitting in a new parliamentary building. Come and discover these parliament buildings over the years!
North facade of the Legislative Assembly in Québec City
Milllicent Mary Chaplin
In the foreground of this 1842 watercolour, we see the first parliament building in Québec City. By this time, however, the building was no longer used for parliamentary purposes. With the formation of the United Province of Canada in 1840, Québec City lost its status as capital to Kingston. Québec City was deemed the “Vieille Capitale” (or “Old Capital” in English), a nickname still in use among the local population.
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