Intendant of New France - The Power Shift

The Power Shift

Prior to establishment of the Intendant of New France and the Sovereign Council, the Governor shared legislative, executive and judicial powers with the old Council of Quebec, which was established by the royal statues of 1647 and 1648. The council was supposed to keep the power of governor in check; however in reality, the governor held great influence over the Council through practicing the right of veto. The governor and his successors enjoyed their authority in New France without restraint. At the beginning of 1663, the Compagnie des Cent-Associés was dissolved and New France became a royal possession once more.

The appointment of the intendant by Louis XIV and Colbert was an attempt to correct the weakened state of New France and intervene before it was too late. The intendant was to reorganize New France. The governor's powers were greatly reduced and many were transferred to the intendant and the Sovereign Council. The intendant became responsible for all the civil administration.

The Sovereign Council was introduced on September 18, 1663, as means to lessen the Governors’ power. Indeed, it was not uncommon for governors to overstep their boundaries. Under the Sovereign Council, power shifted, or rather, became more divided, so that “what formerly constituted in great measure to the functions of the Governor, was given to the Council.” The Intendant received power to reestablish order and security and to carry out important responsibilities in governing the colony of New France.