1. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Royal Proclamation, 1763
Established common law of England in all British territories in North America
The Crown owned all non privately held land
Outlined certain rights for aboriginal peoples- described the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the crown as a nation to nation
Prevented anyone from negotiating land deals with Aboriginal peoples without the authority of the Crown
Granted aboriginal peoples title to use and occupy the land
Proclamation is still referenced to uphold the rights of Aboriginal peoples.

2. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Quebec Act,
1774
Outlined the right of Quebec to have and administer the French system of civil law
The right has led to the current composition of the Supreme Court, of which three of the nine justices are from Quebec because of their expertise and experience in the Civil Code of Quebec

3. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Constitutional Act,
1774
Divided British North America into Upper and Lower Canada
Established a government structure comprised of a Lieutenant-Governor, executive and Legislative assembly
Executive was responsible to the Lieutenant-Governor and not the elected Legislative assembly

4. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Act Of Union,
1840
Unified Upper and Lower Canada
Established responsible government with the executive now responsible to the elected Legislative Assembly
Lieutenant-Governor was now required to implement the will of the Legislative Assembly
Established a British parliamentary style of democracy

5. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Constitution Act,
1867
Unified British colonies in North America into a nation called Canada
Established that Canada’s system of government would be modelled on the British parliamentary system
Established a federal system of government and outlined the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments

6. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Statue of Westminster, 1931
Ended Canada’s colonial status
Canadian government could now change laws previously passed as acts of British parliament that applied to Canada
Canada could still not amend the BNA Act, because federal and provincial governments could not agree on amending formula

7. Canada’s Constitutional History
Constitutional Document
Significance
Constitution Act,
1982
Patriated the Constitution from Britain
Incorporated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, entrenching the rights of Canadians
Included an amending formula so Canadian government could amend Constitution
Committed the federal government to equalization payments to provincial and territorial governments to ensure all Canadians have the same level of services