POLI 1119 Lecture : The Constitution Act 1867 and others.docx
Document Summary
Clearly identifies who the constitution was written for; the united province of canada, nb, ns. Written to create a working political community with everything else as an add-on to the basic compromise. They follow the basic westminster form of governance but they go about doing things differently. How federal governments assumes the debts from the provinces. Created the dominion of canada not a state. Doesn"t explain the key powers of a state. Ultimate sovereignty still rested with the imperial parliament in britain. The queen is still the canadian head of state. Developed a quasi-federal system ottawa dominated. Evolved into at truly federal system most non centralized in world. Provinces as sovereign actors; the linguistic/religious duality that existed (french/english, All either renamed constitution acts or abolished in 1982 with constitution act of 1982. Since 1982, there have been a few amendments; fairly significant. Is not difficult to amend, but not easy to amend; can be amended when it needs to be.
