Canada officially became a sovereign country in 1867;
-The Dominion of Canada was established with the passing of the British North American Act on July the 1st, 1867. This document would be Canada’s Constitution until 1982.
-The British North American Act was later named the Constitution Act.
-The new government wanted to preserve Canada’s link with Britain, while at the same time develop into its own unique system.
-Confederation was the name of the event by which the federation of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed one country.
-A strong federal union would not only solve internal political difficulties, it would provide a better defense against the Americans.
It was decided that different levels of government would be formed, each with different responsibilities:
1. Federal Government – had the most power: taxes, criminal law, trade, foreign affairs and defense.
2. Provincial Government – education, health care, civil law.
Parliament would be 2 houses. The lower branch, ‘The House of Commons’ was elected on the basis of population. The upper branch, ‘The Senate’ was to have equal representation and serve a ‘sober second thought’ to the decisions made by the House of Commons.
Statute of Westminster (1931)
-Before this statue, any laws passed by the Canadian government had to be approved by the British government.
-Canada was continually moving toward full independence from Britain.
-In 1931, Canada could now change/ make laws without British influence.
Canada Act (1982)
-Although Canada could make its own laws, it still was unable to change its Constitution without Permission of the British parliament.
-In 1982, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth signed an Act that enabled Canada to own its Constitution (bring it home to Canada and separate from British influence).
Key Terms
Citizenship – members in a political community, such as country, including rights, duties and responsibilities.
Government – a system by which a group of people makes the laws that are enforced to guide the affairs of a community, such as a country, province, or municipality.
Society – a group of interacting people who share a community.
Authoritarian – a form of decision making or a government system in which one person or a small group holds all power.
Democratic – a form of decision making in which all group members have a vote.
Consensus – a group decision reached through discussion to which all members agree.
Politics – a human activity in which apposing individuals or groups mobilize support to obtain power to government.
Power – the ability of an individual or group to get what it wants.
Common good – that which benefits all (or most) people in a community or society.
Levels of Government
Level: Federal
-Makes decisions related to the matters of nationwide importance.
-They collect income taxes, the goods and services tax and excise taxes.
-Responsibilities the federal government has is foreign trade and relations, currency, defense, postal service, immigration, communications, unemployment, criminal law, Aboriginal peoples.
Level: Provincial
-Can collect income tax, sales tax, and ‘’sin taxes’’ on alcohol and tobacco products.
-Responsible in areas such as agriculture and environmental protection, property and civil rights, marriage licenses, health and welfare, education.
Level: Municipal
-They are created by provinces or territories to govern local communities, including cities, towns, villages, and Aboriginal bands, or settlements.
Thanks, this helped a lot!