Canadian Constitution Foundation

Constitution Act, 1982

The Constitution Act, 1982 formally created Canada's Constitution.  The "patriation" on Canada's Constitution renamed the British North America Act, 1867 to the Constitution Act, 1867.  It also provided several ammendments to the Constitution Act, 1867.  The Constitution Act, 1982 established the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  It also affirms the rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada, provides a basis for equalization between the provinces, and establishes a formula for Constitutional ammendments.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982

Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights established in the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Charter guarantees certain political and civil rights for the people of Canada.  These rights exist to protect the people of Canada from the policies and actions, of all levels of government, that would infringe up our enshrined rights.  The Charter is designed to unify Canadians around a set of principles justified in our free and democratic society.

The Constitution Act, 1867

(formerly known as the British North America Act, 1867)

The Constitution Act, 1867 constitutes the creation of a federal dominion of Canada from the provinces of Canada (Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  The document sets out details for the creation of a Government of Canada with a federal structure while also creating the basis for the Provincial Governments.  It establishes the executive, legislative and judicial structures of the Federal Government of Canada. It also addresses other matters such as taxation, and an intercolonial railroad.