Thomas Boutillier (October 9, 1797 – December 8, 1861) was a medical doctor, Patriote, and politician in Lower Canada.

When the Lower Canada Rebellion broke out in 1837, he fought on the Patriote side in the Battle of Saint-Charles.

His views had moderated and he now followed Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine, who was working to achieve responsible government in partnership with Robert Baldwin, the leader of Reformers from Upper Canada.

His father had held the position of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the Legislative Council of Lower Canada.

[1][2] In 1832, Boutillier stood for election to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada in a by-election in the riding of Saint-Hyacinthe, but was defeated.

In 1836, he was part of a delegation from Saint-Hyacinth which presented a petition to Governor General Lord Gosford and discussed the political situation.

They advised Gosford that they favoured peace and order, but if their Patriote colleagues in Montreal were attacked, they would spring to their help.

The provincial government was able to call on British troops and local militia, against self-armed Patriote units.

Papineau objected, because the proposal included the abolition of the seigneurial system, customary law, and tithes.

Papineau came under criticism for his refusal to endorse the proposal, which split the Patriote movement, but Boutillier later came to his defence.

[4][5][6] Boutillier opposed the union, and in 1841 was elected by acclamation to represent Saint Hyacinthe in the new Legislative Assembly.

LaFontaine had some initial success with this approach, working with Robert Baldwin, the leader of the Upper Canada Reformers.

This time he had an opponent: Louis-Antoine Dessaulles, from a seigneurial family in the Saint-Hyacinth area, and a supporter of Papineau.

Denis-Benjamin Viger, a veteran of the Parti patriote and colleague of Papineau, was appointed to the Executive Council.

Boutillier even offered to resign his seat in the Assembly, to give Papineau the opportunity to return to electoral politics.

Disappointed, Boutillier reported the discussion in a letter to LaFontaine: "I believe that M. Papineau does not wish to return immediately to public life.

Elgin then granted royal assent, firmly establishing the principle of responsible government, even though opponents of the Bill rioted and burnt the Parliament buildings.