Lafontaine and Baldwin form first elected responsible-government ministry of the Province of Canada

Background. The Province of Canada was formed in 1841, merging Upper and Lower Canada. While responsible government was recommended by Lord Durham, it was not fully implemented initially. The 1848 elections saw a decisive victory for Reformers, creating the political conditions for a ministry accountable to the elected Assembly rather than the appointed Governor.

Formation of the Ministry. Following the 1848 election results, Governor General Lord Elgin swore in the ministry of Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine and Robert Baldwin on 11 March 1848. This action established the cabinet as the head of government, based on the largest party in the Legislative Assembly, effectively transferring control over patronage to the elected ministry.

Significance. This ministry is typically attributed with reforms in 1848, including the effective transfer of control over patronage from the Governor to the elected ministry. It marked the transition where the phrase 'responsible government' meant responsibility to the elected Assembly, not the appointed Governor, reducing the governor general to a more symbolic role.