1. The constitution

2. Background to the constitution
The constitution defines the political structure of Canada
It outlines the relationship that exists between the government and the people

3. Structure of government
The constitution outlines the structure of the government
Canada is a monarchy (constitutional monarchy)
We have a parliament
The house of commons is the most important part
The constitution establishes 2 levels of government: federal and provincial
And three branches of government: Legislative, judicial, and executive

4. What is the constitution based upon?
The constitution is based on the rule of law
This guarantees all canadians both justice and Equality before the law
The power of the government is then limited by the law of the land

5. The road to the constitution
Royal proclamation 1763
Quebec act 1774
Constitution act 1791
Act of union 1840
British north america act 1867
Constitution act 1867 (originally the BNA act)
Constitution act 1982

6. Royal proclamation
The royal proclamation gave British control to the Great lakes and st. lawrence regions
This declared that English laws and institutions and the english language would prevail in the politics of quebec
The french language and catholocism were tolerated

7. Quebec act 1774 English criminal law would be emphasized in the colony
Restored use of civil code – still used today in quebec
This allowed french speaking people to hold positions in public office

8. Constitution act 1791
This act divided quebec into two parts: upper and lower canada
In lower canada they used english criminal law and the french civil code
In upper canada they used english criminal law and english civil code
All colonies of north america granted representative government
At this point only male property owners could vote
Frustration grew over the extremely limited power that elected officials had

9. Act of union 1840 The two canadas (upper and lower) reunited
Both were to be equally represented in the senate and elected assembly
This was the beginning of responsible government in canada
French was widely used in government proceedings

10. Responsible government
The executive branch of government is answerable to and must act on the decisions made by the legislative branch

11. British north america act 1867
People were extremely dissatisfied with the political structure within the colonies
In 1867 confederation happened!!!
Between the canada’s, new brunswick, and nova scotia
This was known as the british north america act of (or the constitution act of 1867)
Canadas were divided into ontario and quebec
Four provinces of confederation
Division of federal and provincial powers began creating the idea of federalism

12. More Bna act 1. terms of union
2. executive power there were 147 sections divided into
3. legislative power these 8 categories
4. Judicial power
5. revenue and taxation
6. provincial institutions
7. distribution of legislative power
8. admission of other colonies into confederation

13. Amendments to bna act The amending formula
This is the method of how the bna act could be changed
There were struggles between the responsibilities of federal and provincial governments
This process traditionally took place in britain and made canada not really soverign

14. A time for change
There were lots of arguments between the provinces and the federal government throughout the 1960s and 1970s
In quebec the quiet revolution sparked a beginning of change to the canadian constitution
At this point quebec began to consider separating from canada
Something had to be done

15. Constitution 1982 Prime Minister Trudeau (1.0)
He and his government offered a new constitutional arrangement

16. Details:
The constitution has the charter of rights and freedoms entrenched in it in order to protect quebec’s interests
The amending formula for the new constitution requires 7 out of 10 provinces representing 50% of the canadian population to agree
Trudeau 1.0

17. The end 