Временный Совет Северо-Западных территорий (1870–1876)

The Temporary North West Council, more formally known as the Council of the Northwest Territories and by its short name as the North West Council, lasted from the creation of Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1870 until it was dissolved in 1876. The council was mostly made up of members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and members of the Parliament of Canada who were appointed to serve on the council. No members appointed were allowed to sit on the council until December 28, 1872. The council ran the territories under the Temporary Government of Rupert's Land Act and the Manitoba Act. The council's mandate was renewed every year by the federal government until it was dissolved in 1876, to make way for the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories.

The territory formally known as Rupert's Land and the North Western Territory were sold to the Government of Canada by the Hudson's Bay Company on November 19, 1869. The two territories were amalgamated to form the Northwest Territories. The creation of a government for the territories was delayed by Louis Riel, who led the Red River Rebellion, ultimately leading to the creation of the province of Manitoba. The Northwest Territories joined confederation with Manitoba on July 5, 1870. Despite the provisions in law for setting up a council under the Temporary Government Act, 1870, the first council appointments by the Governor General of Canada would not take place until November 28, 1872. The first attempt at creating the council came with the appointment of Francis Godschall Johnson by Lieutenant Governor Adams George Archibald on October 21, 1870. Johnson lost his appointment after it was overturned by the federal government. The federal government ruled Archibald had exceeded his powers in creating the council. The first session of the council began on March 8, 1873. The Council session was short sitting only two days. The Lieutenant Governor of the territory acted as Speaker, presiding over the council. All acts of the council had to be sent to Ottawa for approval by the Governor General. The council had a poor relationship with the press of the day. Appointments to the council after 1872 were generally made in secret without official notification in some places and major publications were forbidden from covering early council proceedings. The Council met for meetings while it was in session at Early Government House in Fort Garry.

Members by date18701872187318741876Oct. 21UnknownNov. 28UnknownOct. 30UnknownMar. 26Jul. 7Nov. 7Andrew BannatyneAlfred BoydWalter Robert BownPascal BrelandWilliam J. ChristieHenry ClarkeRobert CunninghamPierre DelormeJoseph DubucWilliam FraserMarc Amable GirardRobert HamiltonFrancis JohnsonWilliam KennedyJames McKayJohn McTavishJoseph RoyalJohn SchultzDonald SmithWilliam TaitVacancies1415410634

The Temporary North West Council existed in law for a total of six years. An attempt was made to set up the council and appoint the first member by Lieutenant Governor Archibald on October 21, 1870. The federal government told Archibald that he overstepped his bounds and the appointment of Johnson was revoked days later. After the council was officially set up there were two main sets of appointments made, both by Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris. The first batch of appointments came on December 28, 1872. That date Morris would appoint a total of eleven members to the council. This was the single biggest number of appointments in the history of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Less than a full calendar year later and despite only being allowed up to fifteen seats, appointments to the council exceeded that limit during the second round in October 1873. All but two members of the Council held on to their seat until it was dissolved in 1876. William J. Christie resigned his seat in 1873 and Robert Cunningham was the only member of the council to die in office on July 4, 1874. In addition to the death of Cunningham, the first secretary of the North West Council William T. Urquhart died at his home on September 24, 1874.

Over the course of three legislative sessions the council adopted legislation that formed the basis of Northwest Territories law. The legislation covered a wide variety of issues. The measures related to law and justice included customs duties, prohibition on liquor along with the establishment of a police force, the establishment of the stipendiary magistrate system. The council banned the importation and manufacture of spirituous liquors and passed a motion to recommend the creation of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP). The Cypress Hills massacre was the driving force for the council to implement prohibition and recommend a police force. This court system played a major role in the development and history of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories.

The last session of the Temporary North West council was called on November 23, 1875. The throne speech outlined the need for regulation of the buffalo hunt, and peaceful and orderly settlement to the territory, and highlighted past legislative achievements of the council. The last council session closed on December 14, 1875 and did not meet again until it was dissolved on November 7, 1876.