Lorne (N.W.T. electoral district)

Lorne was an electoral district that existed in the District of Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories from 1880 until 1888. The district was one of the first three created by Royal Proclamation in 1880. Of the first three electoral districts proclaimed it was the only one to actually have an election held in it.

Under the "Northwest Territories Act 1880" the district was mandated at its inception to return a single member to the Northwest Territories Legislature under the First Past the Post electoral system. The district was named in the honour of former Governor General, the Marquess of Lorne. Lorne would tour the through the Northwest Territories just after the electoral district was created in 1881.

The electoral district ceased to exist at the drop of the writ for the 1888 Northwest Territories general election. This was due to a population boom in the area caused by an influx of settlers. The electoral district was redistributed and split between the electoral districts of Batoche and the Prince Albert electoral district. During the nine years the district existed, it returned three members through three elections who served roughly three year terms.

Overview

The electoral district was one of three royally proclaimed by Lieutenant-Governor David Laird on November 13, 1880cite book|title=Ordinances of the Northwest Territories 1881 | date = 1882 | publisher = P. G. Laurie, Printer to the Government of the Northwest Territories | pages= 6] The other two electoral districts were Salisbury, named after the Marquess of Salisbury and Kimberley name after the Lord of Kimberley. Kimberley's contribution to the Northwest Territories was transferring the Canadian Arctic Archipelago to Canada on September 1, 1880.cite web| url=http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic14-1-53.pdf | author = Gordon W. Smith | title=The Transfer of Arctic Territories from Great Britain to Canada in 1880 |pages=63 |publisher=University of Calgary | accessdate = 2007-10-06]

The electoral district was created with the provision to cover an area of 1000 square miles and have a population of 1000 electors. The major population centres in the electoral district at the time of creation were Prince Albert, and Fort Carlton. The land around the district boomed due to a high rate of settlement in that period. The cause of this was due to the possibility of the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railway line being built through the area.

The Northwest Territories political system used at this time was run by an early form of consensus government. Candidates stood for election independent of the political parties that exist in other provinces and territories and the federal level within Canada.cite web|url=http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/publicinformationfactsheets.aspx | title = Consensus Government | publisher = The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories | accessdate= 2007-11-08] The government had not yet developed to the point of being a Responsible government as the majority of members were appointed and not elected. The district was served by three representatives during its eight year history.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)

Andrew Porter was famous for being the first registered private practicing medical doctor in the history of the Northwest Territories. He originally settled in Prince Albert in 1878.cite web|url =http://members.shaw.ca/bcsk/primsrcf/letters/porter_railway.htm | title = Andrew Porter letter | publisher = University of Saskatchewan Libraries | accessdate=2007-10-07] MacDowall campaigned by appealing to the concerns of the Métis who comprised the largest demographic in the district. He promised them that he would go to the Federal Government with their demands for better representation. He also helped win support by donating $1,100 out of pocket towards the construction of a new church for the community of Batoche.cite web|url =http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Batoche/docs/proof_en_why_did_the_1885_res.pdf | title = Why did the 1885 Resistance Happen? | publisher = Virtual Museum of Canada | accessdate=2007-10-07] MacDowall's campaign efforts and donation proved to be very popular.

MacDowall's appeal for representation translated into a landslide victory on election day. On June 5, 1883 he defeated Andrew Porter capturing nearly 70% of the popular vote. His win was the largest majority of the three elections held in the electoral district.

1885 election

The 1885 election in this district was held on September 15, 1885 as part of the 1885 Northwest Territories election. This was the first major election held in the Northwest Territories. The election grouped together a number of old districts that had been coming up for renewal on their three year cycle and by-elections in new districts that were created by a population boom of settlers moving into the territory.

Incumbent MacDowall, had played a major role in subduing the North-West Rebellion at the end of his term in office.cite web|url=http://www.kylesociety.org/Kyle_chiefmcdowall.htm|title=Chief Fergus Hort Day Macdowall of Garthland | publisher = Kyle Family Society | accessdate=2007-10-07] He would not run for re-election instead choosing to campaign for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons.cite web | url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=a956d6f0-b2b4-477f-a37e-3e7d8acef076&Language=E|title=Day Hort MacDowall Federal Political Experience |publisher=Parliament of Canada|accessdate=2007-10-07] Dr. Porter attempted to win a seat by running for office a second time. Porter was challenged by Captain Owen E. Hughes, a business man from Duck Lake. Hughes had been the captain of the Prince Albert militia unit that was disbanded by the Federal Government prior to the start of the North-West Resistance. Many of his former unit, including his lieutenant, Gabriel Dumont, were among the Metis who the drove loyalist forces back at the Battle of Fish Creek.cite book| date=February 24, 1973 | title = Heroes And Outlaws - Gabriel Dumont: A Rebel Who Won Deepest Respect | first = James | last = McCook | publisher=Saskatoon Star Phoenix]

On election day, despite increasing his popular share of the vote over the 1883 election even with lower turnout, Porter was defeated by Hughes. The race was very tight and hotly contested nearly ending in a tie vote. Hughes captured the electoral district by a margin of eight votes winning just over 51% of the popular vote.

ee also

*Lorne Manitoba provincial electoral district.
*Mount Lorne Yukon territorial electoral district.

References