January 22, 1868

WHO GOVERNS ONTARIO?

Who governs Ontario? This was the question Hon. Sandfield Macdonald (Premier) was asking in the Legislature yesterday after John Coyne (Conservative, Peel) attempted to introduce a Bill related to the Divisional Courts of the province.

The Premier (and Attorney General) objected to Coyne’s legislation saying that it was another in a string of measures that had been introduced by so-called supporters of the government on the back benches of the legislature that, in Macdonald’s opinion, intruded on the Government’s domain. It is high time, Macdonald suggested, that the legislature leave the business of governing to the Government.

Sir Henry Smith (Conservative, Frontenac), whose own legislative agenda is thus far more robust than the Government’s, having introduced, among other things, legislation dealing with the independence of Parliament and the protection of game in the province, objected to the Premier’s outburst. The Government, he said, had made its intentions known in the Throne Speech, and they told the House they intended only two specific pieces of legislation dealing with land grants and a Homestead Law. If the Government had any plans beyond those they ought to have included them in the Speech and, failing that, members were free to introduce any legislation they saw fit. If, Smith said, the Government wished to take control of them, as he had asked the Government to do with his Bills, they were free to do so.

Mr. Coyne eventually withdrew his Bill but to before the Premier threatened to resign if Sir Smith persisted in introducing measures of a governmental nature.

ONTARIO AID TO NOVA SCOTIA

The Ontario Government has proposed sending $5,000 in relief for the fishermen of Nova Scotia.