DCHP-1 Online

House of Assembly

• 1a Hist. the legislative body in a province of British North America, usually the lower of two bodies, the upper, called the Executive Council, sometimes being included in the designation.

  See also: House of Commons (def. 1)  House of Parliament (def. 1)  Lower House  

  • Such assemblies had varied composition and power during the colonial period.

  • 1789  (1905)  The new-corners from the States have again raised a cry for a House of Assembly, and wish to put an end to the "Quebec Bill," under which the great body of the people, the Canadians, live happily.
  • 1811  Canada abounds with men of abilities . . . who would be an honour and an ornament to our House of Assembly. . . .
  • 1832  The House of Assembly consists of 28 members, who are chosen by the freeholders. . . .
  • 1948  He stated that the House of Assembly had addressed him, requesting that a patent might be issued toward carrying into effect the purposes intended in the said petition. . . .

• 1b Nfld the provincial legislative assembly.

  • 1832  St. Johns, N.F. Sept. 5 . . . In consequence of an application from the inhabitants of Newfoundland, the island is to have a Miniature Legislature, with a House of Assembly composed of sixty members.
  • 1883  The system did not work well, and in 1842 the constitution was suspended, and the council abolished as a distinct branch of Legislature, and its members were authorised to sit and vote in the House of Assembly, on the same footing as if they were elected members.
  • 1958  Hon. John Stone . . . will be sworn in at the session of the House of Assembly this afternoon.

• 2 the chamber or building in which such an assembly meets.

  See also: House of Parliament (def. 2)  

  • 1808  (1866)  There is reason to apprehend that the time is fast approaching when the House of Assembly of Lower Canada will become the centre of sedition, and a receptacle for the most desparate demagogues in the Province.
  • 1858  In the conference between the Executive and the House of Assembly [B.C.] a different position was affirmed. . . .
  • 1863  . . . in 1840 the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada were legally united; their representatives met in the same House of Assembly. . . .
  • 1955  . . . all letters or communications forwarded to either of us at The House of Assembly, Halifax, N.S., will receive our earnest and careful attention.