Picture courtesy of wikipedia
In front of Kingston General Hospital
Commemoration
Born in Straffordshire, Bagot commenced a distinguished career in the diplomatic service of Great Britain in 1807. An ambassador to the United States, he signed the important Rush-Bagot Convention of 1818 limiting naval armaments on the Great Lakes. In 1842 he assumed the office of Governor General of Canada. Although the principle of responsible government had not yet been conceded, an executive council, which he believed to have the confidence of the assembly, was chosen under his administration.
Background
The Executive Council served a function similar to that of the cabinet in Canadian government today. However, unlike today’s cabinet, the members of the Council did not hold seats in the legislature and were not responsible to the legislature in any way. They were appointed by the Governor General and served as long as he liked.
This was an example of how the act creating the United Province of Canada did not meet Lord Durham's goal of responsible government.