Charles Fisher (Canadian politician)

This article is about the Father of Confederation. For the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, see Charles W. Fisher.

For other people named Charles Fisher, see Charles Fisher (disambiguation).

Charles Fisher
Source: Library and Archives Canada

Charles Fisher (August 15 or September 16, 1808 – December 8, 1880) was a politician and jurist of New Brunswick, Canada. Fisher was a leading Reformer of his day who headed the first responsible government in New Brunswick from 1854 to 1861.

Born in Fredericton,he was first elected to the colonial assembly in 1837, serving from 1848 to 1850. During this time, Fisher wrote to his friend Joseph Howe about the evil ways of the family compact and on the irresponsible nature of the government and its politics. Fisher would become leader of the opposition and then Premier and Attorney-General in 1854. His government implemented various reformes in education, administration and the electoral system. His government lost power in 1856 when it tried to implement prohibition which proved unpopular with voters but he returned to power in 1857. His leadership ended in 1861 when he was ousted by fellow reformer Samuel L. Tilley due to a scandal over the leasing of crown lands.

Charles Fisher became a Father of Confederation, participating in the Quebec Conference of 1864 and the 1867 London Conference that drafted the British North America Act.

He was elected to the House of Commons in 1867 as a Liberal but resigned his seat in 1868 to accept an appointment to the New Brunswick Supreme Court. He declined an appointment to be Chief Justice of New Brunswick, remaining a puisne judge until his death at the age of 73.

His daughter, Jane M. Paulette Fisher, married future premier John James Fraser.

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Government of New Brunswick complete profile of Charles Fisher

Political offices
Preceded by Edward Barron Chandler	Premier of New Brunswick 1854-1856	Succeeded by John Hamilton Gray
Preceded by John Hamilton Gray	Premier of New Brunswick 1857-1861	Succeeded by Samuel Leonard Tilley

Persondata
Name	Fisher, Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 16, 1808
Place of birth
Date of death	December 8, 1880
Place of death