From 1840 to 1968, divorces in Canada were granted by private
acts of the Parliament of Canada. Before 1867, only five divorce
acts were passed and published either in the Statutes of the
Province of Canada or in the Journals of the Legislative
Assembly of the Province of Canada. The first divorce that
occurred in Canada was between John Stuart and Elizabeth Van
Reneselaer Powell in 1841. From 1867 to 1968, a person wishing
to obtain a divorce was first required to place a notice of
intent to petition the government for an Act of Divorce in the
Canada Gazette and in two newspapers in the district or county
where the petitioner resided. It was to appear for a six-month
period. The petition would contain details such as the date and
place of the marriage and events surrounding the demise of the
marriage. In the case of adultery or bigamy, a co-respondent was
often named. If, after consideration, the petition was allowed,
Parliament would pass an Act of Divorce nullifying the marriage.
Between 1867 and 1963, a t