Eleanor Finch
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, was a law passed by the British Parliament to unite three of the five British North American colonies into a federal state called Canada. The Act, which came into effect on July 1, 1867, established the Dominion of Canada and outlined the structure of its government, including the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system. It also defined the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures. The Constitution Act is considered the foundational document of Canada's Constitution, though it does not contain the entire Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date passed | 29 March 1867 |
| Date came into effect | 1 July 1867 |
| Original name | British North America Act (BNA Act) |
| Purpose | To create the Dominion of Canada |
| Number of provinces | 4 |
| Names of provinces | Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick |
| Basis of government | Parliamentary system modelled on that of Britain |
| Population census | Every 10 years |
| Executive government | Vested in the Queen |
| Number of members in House of Commons | 308 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Established the Dominion of Canada
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, was passed by the British Parliament on 29 March 1867. It created the Dominion of Canada, uniting the North American British colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into a federal state.
The Act established a federal dominion, outlining the structure of the Canadian government and defining its operation, including its federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system. It also provided for the union of the three colonies, which were to be divided into four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
The Constitution Act came into effect on 1 July 1867, and the anniversary of this day is now celebrated annually as Canada Day. It is the foundational document of Canada's Constitution, though it does not contain the entire Constitution. The Act is complemented by British and Canadian statutes that have constitutional effect, as well as certain unwritten principles known as constitutional conventions.
The Act outlines the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures. It also includes what has been termed a "small bill of rights," with various sections providing certain rights and limitations, such as the requirement for Parliament and all legislatures to sit at least once per year, and the right to separate schools for Protestant or Catholic minorities.
Advocating for Change: Constitution Supporters' Strategies
You may want to see also
Created a federal structure
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, created a federal structure for Canada. The Act united the North American British colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into a single federation, or "Dominion", under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Act outlines the structure of the Canadian government and the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures. It establishes a parliamentary system modelled on that of Britain, including the House of Commons and the Senate. The Act also defines the justice system and the taxation system.
The former Province of Canada was divided into two separate provinces: Ontario and Quebec. These, along with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, became the four original provinces of Canada. Over time, additional provinces and territories were added to the federation, including Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland.
The Constitution Act of 1867 is a foundational document of Canada's Constitution, providing a federal structure and outlining the powers and responsibilities of the government. It established the Dominion of Canada, uniting the colonies under the British Crown and creating a federal system with defined legislative and executive authorities.
Revolution's Legacy: Constitution's Fulfillment of American Ideals?
You may want to see also
Defined the operation of the government
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, created a federal dominion and defined the operation of the Government of Canada. It outlined the structure of the government and the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures.
The Act established the Dominion of Canada by uniting the North American British colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It also divided the former colony of Canada into two provinces: Ontario and Quebec. The Act further outlined the federal structure of the new dominion, including the House of Commons, the Senate, and the taxation system.
The Constitution Act of 1867 also defined the executive government and authority of Canada, vesting it in the Queen. The Governor General, as the Queen's representative, was responsible for summoning and calling together the House of Commons. The Act provided for the establishment of a parliamentary system modelled on that of Britain, with certain powers vested in the Crown, such as the ability to dissolve Parliament and call a general election.
The Act also outlined the composition of the House of Commons, specifying the number of members to be elected from each province. It included provisions for proportional representation, requiring the readjustment of seats in the House of Commons following each census. Additionally, it established the Supreme Court of Canada and outlined the criminal law and justice system, including the establishment and management of penitentiaries.
America's Broken Constitutional Promises: A Betrayal of Principles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Provided for the union of colonies
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act (BNA Act), provided for the union of three of the five British North American colonies: Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. These three colonies were united into a federal state with a parliamentary system modelled on that of Britain.
The Act established the Dominion of Canada, with the union taking effect within six months of the passage of the Act. The former Province of Canada was divided into two separate provinces: Ontario and Quebec. These four provinces, along with the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, formed the Dominion of Canada.
The Constitution Act of 1867 outlined the structure and operation of the Canadian government, including the federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system. It also provided for the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures.
The Act came into effect on July 1, 1867, and the anniversary of its entry into force is observed annually as Canada Day. The Act is the foundational document of Canada's Constitution and is a major part of the country's constitution today. It has been complemented by other British and Canadian statutes with constitutional effect, as well as unwritten principles known as constitutional conventions.
Minnesota Constitution: Slavery as Crime Punishment?
You may want to see also
Outlined the distribution of powers
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, was a law passed by the British Parliament to create the Dominion of Canada. It outlined the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures.
The Act established a federal structure for Canada, defining the powers of the central Parliament and the provincial governments. It provided for a parliamentary system modelled on that of Britain, with a House of Commons and a Senate. The Act also established the taxation system and the justice system, including the establishment of courts and the procedure for criminal matters.
The Constitution Act of 1867 specifically addressed the distribution of legislative powers, with Section 92 outlining the exclusive powers of provincial legislatures. These included the ability to make laws related to matters such as direct taxation within the province for provincial purposes. The Act also addressed matters of executive power, declaring that the executive government and authority of Canada were vested in the Queen, with provisions referring to the Governor General.
The Act provided for a union of three British North American colonies (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada, which was divided into Ontario and Quebec) into a federal state. This union was to be known as the Dominion of Canada, and it allowed for the eventual admission of other parts of British North America. The Act outlined the division of the country into four provinces, each with its own legislature and powers.
The distribution of powers outlined in the Constitution Act of 1867 has been complemented by British and Canadian statutes with constitutional effect and unwritten principles known as constitutional conventions, such as the power vested in the Crown to dissolve Parliament and call a general election.
Understanding Opportunity Costs: What's the True Price?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, is a law passed by the British Parliament to create the Dominion of Canada. It outlines the structure of the Canadian government and the distribution of powers between the central Parliament and the provincial legislatures.
The Act united three of the five British North American colonies (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada, which was divided into Ontario and Quebec) into a federal state with a parliamentary system modelled on that of Britain.
The Act also defined the operation of the Canadian government, including its federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system. It provided for the union of the colonies into one Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
