An 1860's Election at Upper Canada Village
Candy Pollard

With a provincial election in the air this coming fall, Upper Canada Village’s upcoming 1860s Election Re-enactment event on August 11th and 12th may be an interesting indication of how citizens today will be inclined to vote. Of course, some of the issues visitors will be voting on and the criteria for the right to vote may be a bit different back then than they are today …

Upper Canada Village’s dramatic “1860s Election” re-enactment event is based on the actual historic election of 1863 in the Province of Canada, and will be complete with two characters from the past standing for the riding of Dundas. Both of these historical candidates, Mr. John Sylvester Ross (the Conservative candidate), and Mr. James W. Cook (the Liberal Reform candidate) will be present for the weekend to give speeches, twist arms and talk to the public in general about the issues of the day. Election news will also be posted throughout Upper Canada Village.

“One of the biggest issues of the 1863 election was the unfair disproportion of seats in the legislature”, said Peter Cazaly, Research Officer of Upper Canada Village, ”Even though Canada East (Quebec) and Canada West (Ontario) each had 65 seats in the House, the population of Canada West was much bigger.” Visitors will see signs calling for “Representation by Population”, the rallying cry to reform the legislature in this election. It is interesting that, this coming October, 2007, voters in Ontario will get the chance to express their opinion in a referendum on a new system to ensure that the legislature more fairly represents the population of the province.

The event promises to be an entertaining way to see how elections were conducted over a century ago. “Not just anyone will be able to vote” said Cazaly. “Strict adherence to the process will be enforced by a Deputy Returning Officer, of course all in good fun.” Voting will take place both days at the schoolhouse. The male citizens of the Village will be exercising their vote. Visitors who fit the criteria (that is, male British subjects over the age of 21 and who are property owners) will be allowed to vote. In an effort to make it fair for the general public to meet the requirements to vote, souvenir historical land deeds will be available to purchase for only $2 as fictitious proof of land owner¬ship.

Although this is a re-enactment of an actual historic election, it will not be known ahead of time who will win the poll, since Upper Canada Village is representing only one poll in the County of Dundas. All voters will make up their own minds. The results of the voting in those days were announced every hour on the hour, so visitors can expect to hear where their favourite candidate stands in the race at the time of their visit. In the 1860s, voters often waited until late in the second day of voting to join the winning side. The successful candidate will be declared on Sunday afternoon and there will be a victory celebration to follow.

Regular admission fees apply for entry into the Village during its 1860s Election event.

www.uppercanadavillage.com

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