A good example of this is when a number of Liberal MPs supported John A. Macdonald, a Conservative, and his idea for Canadian Confederation, many other Liberal Party members were opposed to Confederation.
This sometimes led to coalitions between Ontario Liberals and Quebec Tories, or vice versa.
The general election began on March 8, 1841, and continued into early April.
The Family Compact from Canada West was a group of rich Tories interested in the status quo.
This election also saw the creation of the Liberal Party, made up of pro-Patriot members from Canada East, who spoke English.
Due to the problems of the last parliament, the Governor General was ordered to sign everything that came from this legislature, marking the birth of responsible government in Canada.
To stay in government, the moderate reformers formed a coalition with the Conservatives.
Former Ministeralists became French-Canadian Tories, and took on the name "Bleu" or Blue, to oppose the Rouges.
Confederation was eventually achieved when 3 of the 6 colonies joined together to become the first four provinces of Canada.