2nd Canadian Parliament


The 2nd Canadian Parliament was in session from March 5, 1873, until January 2, 1874. The membership was set by the 1872 federal election from July 20 to October 12, 1872, and it changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections until it was dissolved prior to the 1874 election.
It was first controlled by a Conservative/Liberal-Conservative majority under Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and the 1st Canadian Ministry. The Official Opposition was the Liberal Party, led by Alexander Mackenzie. After a scandal in the Conservative Party, the Liberals took power, forming the 2nd Canadian Ministry. Alexander Mackenzie, now Prime Minister, immediately called an election.
The Speaker was James Cockburn. See also List of Canadian electoral districts 1872-1873 for a list of the ridings in this parliament.
The unusual case of a new party taking control of the government between elections has only happened in the federal government twice; the other occasion was in the 15th Canadian parliament.
There were 2 sessions of the 2nd Parliament:
SessionStartEnd
1stMarch 5, 1873August 13, 1873
2ndOctober 23, 1873November 7, 1873

List of members

Following is a full list of members of the second parliament listed first by province, then by electoral district.
Electoral districts denoted by an asterisk indicates that district was represented by two members.

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Two MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
Two MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
Five MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
Three MPs recontested their seats in byelections, and were reelected.
Prince Edward Island joined Canada on July 1, 1873. By-elections for the House of Commons were held on September 29, 1873.

By-elections