![Robert Baldwin (1804-1858) by J.W.L. Forster](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image_850_x_532/public/legacy/timeline_content/21_0.jpg?itok=gKFndzkz)
1848
Responsible Government was realized in 1848-1849 under the administration of Premiers Robert Baldwin (representing Canada West) and Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine (representing Canada East). This is the principle that still guides Canada’s democratic system today -that the Government (Cabinet) is ultimately responsible to the elected representatives of the people, not to the British Monarch or anyone else.