First report on the state of the representation of the people of Upper Canada in the legislature of that province, 16^th March, 1831

Document Summary:
This report is addressed to the House of Assembly of Upper Canada. One of its authors is, notably, William Lyon Mackenzie. The report notes the negative effects of "an imperfect state of representation":

• Excessive taxation and money wasted on useless projects.
  
  
• Unqualified office-holders.
  
  
• The sacrifice of the public good for the interests of a few.

The report also argues that the Constitutional Act, 1791, was not founded on the natural rights of man, and did not give the same rights available to all in Britain. Instead, the Legislative Council holds all the power. Some reasons:

• Representation in the Assembly is uneven: some counties have many fewer voters than others.
  
  
• The executive government (i.e.: governor and Legislative Council) has the power to award positions of influence to whomever it wishes, and that favoritism is in the practice of giving out lands. The Assembly is not empowered to check this abuse.
  
  
• The judiciary is dependent on the executive.