constituencies, and at various times sat in the Commons for three different constituencies in two different provinces (Kingston, Ontario; Victoria, British Columbia; and Carleton, Ontario). He served in the Commons for a total of 23 years, 7 months, and 10 days, continuously from the first Parliament, elected in 1867, to his death in 1891. Prior to the creation of Canada in 1867, Macdonald served seven terms (23 years) in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, as well as three terms as joint Premier of the Province. He was also elected alderman of his home town of Kingston, Ontario, the beginning of his electoral career. Macdonald's combined time in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, and then in the House of Commons of Canada, totalled 46 years of elected service. His combined time as joint Premier of the Province of Canada and as Prime Minister of Canada totalled 28 years and 21 days. Federal general elections, 1867 to 1891 Macdonald led the combined Liberal-Conservative Party and Conservative Party in seven general elections, winning six (1867, 1872, 1878, 1882, 1887 and 1891) and losing once (1874). Federal election, 1867 Canada came into existence on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act, 1867 was proclaimed in force. The first general election to Parliament was held in the summer of 1867 and resulted in a majority government for Macdonald and his coalition of Conservatives and Liberal-Conservatives. The main opposition was from the Liberals, but there was also a substantial group of Anti-Confederation Members of Parliament from the province of Nova Scotia who were opposed to Confederation and sought to dissolve the new union. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Party structure had not yet emerged. George Brown of Ontario was the unofficial leader of the Liberal groupings. 3 Election returns in 1867 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation. Federal election, 1872 The 1872 election was closely fought. Macdonald was returned to office, albeit with a reduced majority. An election financing scandal arose shortly after the election, with allegations that Macdonald and the Conservatives had accepted bribes in return for granting the contract for the trans-Canadian railroad to the first Canadian Pacific Railway company of Hugh Allan. As a result of the scandal, Macdonald and his government was forced to