What Is 19th Parliament of British Columbia

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 19th Parliament of British Columbia was in session from February 1934 to May 1937, following the 1933 provincial election where the Liberal Party won a majority under Premier Duff Pattullo.

Key Facts

The 19th Parliament convened on February 15, 1934, after the 1933 general election.
The Liberal Party, led by Duff Pattullo, won 34 of 48 seats in the legislature.
It was the first term of the Liberal government after defeating the Conservative-led coalition.
Key legislation included public works programs during the Great Depression.
The session ended in May 1937 ahead of the next provincial election.

Overview

The 19th Parliament of British Columbia marked a pivotal shift in provincial governance following the 1933 general election. It began on February 15, 1934, and lasted until May 1937, operating during the final years of the Great Depression, a time of significant economic hardship and social change.

This parliamentary session saw the Liberal Party, led by Duff Pattullo, assume power after defeating the previous Conservative-led coalition. The political realignment reflected public demand for progressive economic policies and greater government intervention in social welfare and infrastructure.

General Election Outcome: The 1933 election resulted in the Liberal Party winning 34 out of 48 seats, securing a decisive majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Leadership:Duff Pattullo became Premier of British Columbia, leading a government focused on economic recovery and public works expansion.
Legislative Start Date: The 19th Parliament officially convened on February 15, 1934, marking the beginning of its legislative term.
Political Context: The election occurred amid the Great Depression, with voters favoring parties promising job creation and social support programs.
Opposition Composition: The opposition included members from the Conservative Party and the fledgling Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which gained its first seats in this era.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 19th Parliament followed standard Westminster parliamentary procedures, with the elected Legislative Assembly responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and overseeing the executive branch.

Term: The 19th Parliament lasted from February 1934 to May 1937, spanning approximately three years before the next general election. This duration was typical for provincial legislatures under fixed-term conventions of the time.
Session Frequency: The Legislative Assembly held multiple annual sessions, with formal sittings used to debate bills, budgets, and motions of public importance.
Legislative Process: Bills introduced in the Assembly required approval from both reading stages and committee review before receiving royal assent and becoming law.
Executive Oversight: The Premier and Cabinet were accountable to the Assembly, requiring continued support from a majority of MLAs to govern effectively.
Public Engagement: While public participation was limited compared to modern standards, media coverage and public debates helped shape legislative priorities.
Lawmaking Focus: Key legislative efforts centered on unemployment relief, infrastructure projects, and economic development initiatives during a time of national crisis.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 19th Parliament with adjacent sessions reveals shifts in party dominance, policy focus, and legislative output.

Parliament	Years Active	Governing Party	Seats Held	Major Policy Focus
18th	1928–1933	Conservative Coalition	25 of 48	Fiscal restraint, limited social spending
19th	1934–1937	Liberal Party	34 of 48	Public works, Depression relief
20th	1937–1941	Liberal Party	31 of 47	Continued infrastructure investment
17th	1924–1928	Liberal Party	28 of 48	Resource development, transportation
21st	1941–1945	Liberal-Conservative Coalition	Coalition held 32 of 64	Wartime economy, unity government

The transition from the 18th to the 19th Parliament illustrates a decisive move toward interventionist policies. The Liberal victory in 1933 reflected public demand for action during economic turmoil, setting the stage for expanded government programs in the following decades.

Why It Matters

The 19th Parliament played a crucial role in reshaping British Columbia’s approach to governance during a national crisis. Its legacy lies in pioneering social and economic policies that laid the foundation for modern public welfare systems.

Policy Innovation: The government introduced public works programs to combat unemployment, including road construction and public building projects.
Social Impact: These initiatives provided immediate relief to thousands of British Columbians suffering from Depression-era joblessness and poverty.
Political Shift: The election marked a decline in Conservative influence and the rise of progressive liberalism in provincial politics.
CCF Emergence: The 1933 election saw the first elected CCF members, signaling the growth of social democratic ideals in BC.
Long-term Influence: Pattullo’s policies influenced future premiers and contributed to the development of BC’s social safety net.
Historical Benchmark: The 19th Parliament is remembered as a turning point in BC’s transition toward active, interventionist government.

Understanding this session helps contextualize the evolution of provincial governance and the enduring impact of Depression-era policy decisions on British Columbia’s political landscape.