Our constitution: an overview Mr. Hambleton Social Studies 30

What is a constitution? A constitution is a set of rules for the various levels of government to follow in their decision making.

Canada’s constitution … Started with the British North American Act of 1867 (Later renamed the Constitution Act of 1867). The BNA Act: United Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada. Gave Canada its first set of constitutional rules. Set out the divisions of power between the federal and provincial governments.

Canada’s constitution contains … a written part and an unwritten part. Examples to follow …

our constitution was … patriated by an act of British Parliament in 1982 called The Canada Act. The act also contained a package of new additions entitled The Constitution Act, 1982.

The written part has three main sections: The Constitution Act, 1867 which describes the authority, parts, and functions of Parliament and the provincial legislatures. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms which states the basic rights and some of the responsibilities that all Canadians possess. An amending formula which sets out ways in which the constitution can be changed.

The unwritten part of the constitution… is made up of traditions from the past. Most of these traditions are based on the British pattern of parliamentary democracy. Traditions in Canada include: recognition of the monarch as head of state. the office of the prime minister.

Please note: The Constitution continues to evolve with the changing needs of Canada.