Christopher Dummitt on Responsible Government

What if one of the most defining moments in Canadian democracy wasn’t Confederation, but a riot that burned Parliament to the ground in Montreal? In this episode of History Matters, I’m joined by Christopher Dummitt, professor of Canadian history at Trent University and host of the acclaimed podcast 1867 and All That.

Together, we dive into the dramatic political turning points of the 1830s and 1840s, including the Rebellion Losses Bill, the rise of responsible government, and the tensions that erupted into the 1849 burning of Canada’s Parliament. Chris explains why the path to Canadian self-government wasn’t forged through rebellion alone, but through a hard-won shift toward Westminster-style democracy, political coalition-building, and the real test of whether elected leaders could govern without imperial interference.

You’ll also hear unforgettable stories and key figures behind the era, Joseph Howe in Nova Scotia, Baldwin and Lafontaine in the Province of Canada, and Governor General Lord Elgin, whose decision to sign a deeply controversial bill helped define what democracy would mean in Canada.

If you want to understand how Canada learned to govern itself, and why this period may matter more than Confederation, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more episodes of History Matters on YouTube, and check out Chris Dummitt’s work on 1867 and All That for a deeper dive into the story.

Christopher Dummitt

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