LAFONTAINE, Fr. pron. la'ft'ix' Mu', Sir Loris HYPOLITE (1807-64). A Cana dian lawyer and politician, born in Lower Can ada. The Rebellion of 1837, which disturbed hoth Lower and Upper Canada, brought Lafon taine into political notice. For several years there had been a conflict between the executive and legislative authorities of Lower Canada, and the knowledge that a rebellion was contemplated in Upper Canada induced a French-Canadian party. headed by Louis J. Papineau, to strike for independence and the establishment of a French nation on the banks of the Saint Lawrence. La fontaine was one of Papineau's followers, and in 1838 was arrested for high treason, but his guilt was not established, and it was afterwards known that he was not prepared to support Pap ineau's extreme measures. He went to England. but, having been led to expect ar rest, lied to France, and did not return to Lower Canada until after the failure of the rebellion.
His subsequent position in Canadian history was creditable and important. The act of union in 1841 helped to accomplish a change by which the Ministry was held accountable to the popu lar branch of the Legislature, and remained in ollice only so long as it could command a ma jo•ity. Lafontaine. though at first opposed to the union of the two provinces. was a firm sup porter of responsible government. and became the political ally of Robert Baldwin in estab lishing• it firmly in Canada. The Baldwin-La fontaine Ministry lasted two years (1842-44), when it was compelled to resif,m. but four years afterwards Lafontaine came into power again as Premier, and the Lafontaine-Baldwin Minis try. held office during 1848-51. lie was after wards appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in Lower Canada, and was made a baronet in I854.