In the foreground of this 1842 watercolour, we see the first parliament building in Québec City. By this time, however, the building was no longer used for parliamentary purposes. With the formation of the United Province of Canada in 1840, Québec City lost its status as capital to Kingston. Québec City was deemed the “Vieille Capitale” (or “Old Capital” in English), a nickname still in use among the local population.