Constitution

Constitution

Rules governing actions of organizations in Canada.

Amending Formula

Process to change the Constitution, not easily done.

Written and Unwritten

Constitution can exist in both forms.

BNA Act 1867

British North America Act, foundational Canadian law.

Federal Union

Strong central government sharing powers with provinces.

Legislative Union

Rejected model for Canada, unlike Britain.

Section 91

Federal powers: post office, currency, defence, fisheries.

Section 92

Provincial powers: education, justice, health care.

Residual Powers

Powers not explicitly assigned, held by federal government.

Statute of Westminster

Established self-governing dominion, ending British control.

Patriation

Trudeau's effort to bring Constitution home in 1982.

Constitution Act 1982

Included Indigenous rights and equalization payments.

Notwithstanding Clause

Allows provinces to opt out of certain rights.

Constitutional Changes

Requires agreement from seven out of ten provinces.

Mech Lake 1987

Failed proposal for Quebec's distinct society status.

Charlottetown Accord 1992

Failed reform for Senate and Indigenous self-government.

CCRF

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, defines rights.

Section 2 Rights

Freedom of religion, belief, expression, and association.

Section 3-5 Rights

Right to vote and hold elections every five years.

Section 6 Rights

Freedom to leave and return to Canada.

Section 7-14 Rights

Rights to life, liberty, security, and fair trial.

Equality Rights

Protection against discrimination based on various factors.

Supreme Court Role

Interprets parliamentary acts and protects rights.

The BNA act include which provinces

NB, NS, ON, PQ

Canada influenced by US

two founding peoples and language

What did supreme court rule when Trudeau wanted to patriotism

couldn’t do it without provincial agreement, so he made CCRF, amending formula, etc but quebec didn’t sign

not within standing clause renewed every

5 yrs

exception to 7/10 agreement

10/10 on SCC language laws, monarchy

CCRF influenced by

bill of rights and language act

bilingual nation

equality rights