1869
The North-West Territories Act
32-33 Victoria, Chapter 3
An Act for the temporary Government of Rupert's Land and the
North-Western Territory when united with Canada
[Assented to 22nd June, 1869.]
Whereas it is probable that Her Majesty the Queen may,
pursuant to "The British North America Act, 1867", be pleased to
admit Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory into the
Union or Dominion of Canada, before the next Session of the
Canadian Parliament: And whereas it is expedient to prepare for
the transfer of the said Territories from the Local Authorities
to the Government of Canada, at the time appointed by the Queen
for such admission, and to make some temporary provision for the
Civil Government of such Territories until more permanent
arrangements can be made by the Government and Legislature of
Canada: Therefore Her Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as
follows:-
1. The said Territories when admitted as aforesaid, shall be
styled and known as "The North-West Territories."
2. It shall be lawful for the Governor, by any Order or
Orders, to be by him from time to time made, with the advice of
the Privy Council (and subject to such conditions and
restrictions as to him shall seem meet), to authorize and
empower such Officer as he may from time to time appoint as
Lieutenant- Governor of the North-West Territories, to make
provision for the administration of Justice therein, and
generally to make, ordain, and establish all such Laws,
Institutions and Ordinances as may be necessary for the Peace,
Order and good Government of Her Majesty's subjects and others
therein; provided that all such Orders in Council, and all Laws
and Ordinances, so to be make as aforesaid, shall be laid before
both Houses of Parliament as soon as conveniently may be after
the making and enactment thereof respectively.
3. The Lieutenant-Governor shall administer the Government
under instructions from time to time given him by Order in
Council.
4. The Governor may, with the advice of the Privy Council,
constitute and appoint, by Warrant under his Sign Manual, a
Council of not exceeding fifteen nor less than seven persons, to
aid the Lieutenant-Governor in the administration of affairs,
with such powers as may be from time to time conferred upon them
by Order in Council.
5. All the Laws in force in Rupert's land and the North-
Western Territory, at the time of their admission into the
Union, shall, so far as they are consistent with "The British
North America Act, 1867", -- with the terms and conditions of
such admission approved of by the Queen under the 146th section
thereof, -- and with this Act, -- remain in force until altered
by the Parliament of Canada, or by the Lieutenant-Governor under
the authority of this Act.
6. All Public Officers and Functionaries holding office in
Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory, at the time of
their admission into the Union, excepting the Public Officer or
Functionary at the head of the administration of affairs, shall
continue to be Public Officers and Functionaries of the North-
West Territories with the same duties and powers as before,
until otherwise ordered by the Lieutenant-Governor, under the
authority of this Act.
7. This act shall continue in force until the end of the next
Session of Parliament.
