Picture courtesy of npg.org.uk
In front of Kingston General Hospital
Commemoration
Thompson, a British businessman and politician, ws sent to North America to implement the Union of the Canadas. Having won assent for the union in 1840, he was elevated to the peerage and served as the new province’s Governor-General until his untimely death in Kingston. In establishing a system based on harmony between legislative and executive branches, yet one which fell short of responsible government, he succeeded in bringing together moderates in an administration designed to aid in recovery from the recent political, social and economic troubles that culminated in the Rebellions of 1837-38.
Background
The union of Canada West (Lower Canada/Quebec) and Canada East (Upper Canada/Ontario) into the Province of Canada occurred in July, 1840. Lord Durham proposed this merger in his report in 1839 after investigating the causes and impacts of the rebellion of 1837-38. His goal was “responsible government” for the colony. By “responsible”, he meant that the government of most areas and functions of the province would be carried out and paid for by the people of the province through their own legislature rather than through the British parliament at Westminster. The British government created the united province but did not go as far with responsible government as Durham had recommended