Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

John Norquay

1841-1889

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2022

1. John Norquay Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] Born at St. Andrew's in the Red River settlement, Norquay was elected to the first provincial assembly in 1870. He held several cabinet portfolios from 1871 to 1878 when he became Premier. His government, based on communal representation and joint participation of the French and English, achieved the extension of the Manitoba boundary and better fiscal terms from Ottawa, and undertook to build railways in defiance of the Canadian Pacific charter and federal disallowance. Norquay resigned the premiership in 1887, continuing to sit as a private member until his death in Winnipeg.

[Français] Né à St. Andrew's dans la colonie de la rivière Rouge, Norquay fut élu à la première Assemblée législative du Manitoba en 1870. Il fut plusieurs fois ministre entre 1871 et 1878, quand il devint premier ministre. Son gouvernement, fondé sur la collaboration entre anglophones et francophones et sur une représentation régionale, obtint d'Ottawa l'extension territoriale du Manitoba et une meilleure part des deniers publics. Sa politique ferroviaire fut contrée par le gouvernement fédéral. Norquay démissionna

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en 1887, mas resta député jusqu'à sa mort, à Winnipeg.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 49° 52.975′ N, 97° 8.745′ W. Marker is in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is in Legislature. Marker can be reached from Assiniboine Avenue, 0.2 kilometers east of Osborne Street North (Provincial Highway 62), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in River Walk Park, near the Louis Riel Sculpture, on the south side of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winnipeg MB R3C 1S4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Noël-Joseph Ritchot (within shouting distance of this marker); Government House (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Marc-Amable Girard (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Winnipeg Law Courts / Le Palais de Justice de Winnipeg (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Dr. Amelia Yeomans / Le Docteur Amelia Yeomans (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Bonnycastle Park

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2022

2. John Norquay Marker

(looking east through River Walk Park)

(approx. 0.8 kilometers away); The Fort Garry (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Fort Garry Hotel / L'hôtel Fort Garry (approx. 0.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winnipeg.

Also see . . .
1. John Norquay, National Historic Person.

Premier of Manitoba (1878-87), Métis statesman

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. John Norquay.

One of Red River's most distinguished sons, Norquay successfully moved from the fur trade and the river lot into modern business and politics after Manitoba entered Confederation. His great-grandmother was an Indigenous woman and his paternal ancestors were jacks-of-all-trades at fur-company posts. He was one of the best students in Red River schools and was successively a teacher, farmer and fur trader between 1857 and 1870, when he was elected to Manitoba's first legislature.

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Memorable Manitobans: John Norquay (1841-1889).

He was a veritable giant of a man, over six feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. He spoke a number of languages, including English, French,
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Cree, and Saulteaux. Norquay was known as one of the province’s finest speakers, possessed of a “soft, clear, musical voice, notably resonant.” At the time of his death he was the only MLA who had continuously held a seat in the Legislative Assembly since its inception. He is commemorated by Norquay Street, Norquay School, and Norquay Park in Winnipeg, and a commemorative plaque on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. Hon John Norquay (Find A Grave).

(Saint John's Anglican Cathedral Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
5th Premier of Manitoba. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in this position from October 1878 until December 1887. He first entered politics in 1870 when he was elected to the Manitoba Legislature, serving there for 19 years. In October 1878 he became Premier of Manitoba. In December 1887 he resigned when his government was accused of using trust funds for Métis children as general revenue.

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.