One of the most defining moments in Canadian history was the patriation of our Constitution. Despite being considered a sovereign nation, Canada's constitution was still known as the British North America Act, coincidently found in Britain. The official patriation occurred on Parliament Hill during the 17th of April,1982, when Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau signed the new agreement. What made this event so defining, was the fact that it was considered Canada's last step to sovereignty. Additionally, the signing of the Constitution reaffirmed the principles of our original Constitution. Finally, the most significant part of this patriation was the entrenchment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. With the official patriation of the Constitution, Canada was moving towards great change.
Firstly, the patriation of the Constitution was Canada's final movement for sovereignty. Throughout the 20th century Canada slowly started cutting its chains from Britain. The strive for sovereignty began with signing the Treaty of Versailles and ended with the patriation of the BNA. The British North America Act was the name of our original constitution, signed during 1867, by Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald. The initial problem with the BNA, was that it was composed of a set of British laws which could only be changed through the acts of the British parliament. By bringing the constitution home, Canada would have full control over its constitutional laws. This patriation complemented in helping Canada gain full political independence, because now laws in the United Kingdom could not extend over to Canada, neither could the Statute of Westminster be of any application. After a near century of striving for ...
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...Constitution was undoubtedly the greatest defining moment in Canadian history. It helped complete the dreams of full sovereignty by getting rid of the BNA act. Additionally, the patriation of the Constitution reaffirmed the same principles that the government is based around today. Most importantly, this defining moment introduced our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,, which gave us our fundamental rights in this country which could not be misused by the government. Trudeau once said, "I believe a constitution can permit the co-existence of several cultures and ethnic groups with a single state." and the visions of Pierre Trudeau came true, as seen in today's Canadian society. There could be no other defining moment which could compare to the patriation of the Canadian Constitution, all because the results have culminated to our present.
“Just watch me.”Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau said in 1970. He meant it as he fought to keep Quebec a part of Canada. Not only did he do that, he managed to be prime minister for 16 years, as well as being Canada’s youngest leader at the time. He brought greater civil rights to Canadians, Quebec citizens mainly. His charismatic personality matched his innovative ideas, that enhanced Canada for the better. For his entire political career, not only did Canada watch him, the whole world watched him change the country for the better. He made a radical change to Canada by championing the idea of officially implementing bilingualism. Trudeau was a trailblazer from the moment he was elected.
This great country known as Canada, is governed smoothly because of the agreements and rules that have been in place since the beginning of confederation. The Canadian Constitution is one example of these rules. The Canadian Constitution is not just one single documentation, it is a collaboration of documents that make up one enormous document (Dyck 261). The six basic principles of the constitution are: responsible government, federalism, judicial review, the rule of law, constitutional monarchy and democracy; which all helped to shape the Constitution and therefore Canada (Dyck 266).
In conclusion, Canada is held strong with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As citizens know their rights and freedoms they can help change the shape of Canada by Charter Challenges. Changes move
Pierre Trudeau is the greatest Canadian of the twentieth century due to the fact that he declared Canada’s independence from Great Britain, he abolished the death penalty, and he created the Official Languages Act, making our nation entirely bilingual.
The post-war time was a period where major changes were occurring. After being involved in two international conflicts, Canada was ready to reestablish their economy. During this time, Canada had started working on ways to become stronger and reputable. It is evident that Canada had matured through the post-war era. Canada’s economic progress left a positive impact on the growth of the country as consumerism became popular, and economic ties with America became stronger. Moreover, the removal of racial and ethical barriers contributed to Canadian social affairs such as the huge wave of immigration and the baby boom. The Canadian government also had become more aware and involved in issues impacting Canadian citizens. Canada as a whole started identifying itself as an independent nation and participating in events that brought a positive reputation amongst them. These economical, social, and legal changes helped Canada mature into the country it is today.
...I truly think that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms has paved a path for creating a free and democratic Canada and I believe it will create Canada as the greatest democratic nation.
Even before the eve of the Revolution, the colonists constantly had the image of independence lingering in the back of their heads. The colonists felt that they were first on a loose leash, and as that leash tightened over the years, the colonists began to understand their true culture and identity. As time passed, the colonists developed a greater sense of their identity and unity as Americans and by the eve of the Revolution, even though at first the colonists were unorganized and had problems with being united, they remained determined to gain their identity and unity as Americans.
During the last 4 months, I’ve studied a lot about Canadian history and come across many great historical events that have shaped Canadian identity. The two most defining moments between the years 1900 to 2000 were women’s suffrage which was an issue to determine if women should have the right to vote or not. The other defining moment for Canada was Expo 67, which was the most successful worlds fair in history.
The Prime Minister of Canada is given much power and much responsibility. This could potentially create a dangerous situation if the government held a majority and was able to pass any legislation, luckily this is not the case. This paper will argue that there are many limitations, which the power of the prime minister is subject too. Three of the main limitations, which the Prime Minister is affected by, are; first, federalism, second the governor general and third, the charter of rights and freedoms. I will support this argument by analyzing two different types of federalism and how they impact the power of the Prime Minister. Next I will look at three of the Governor Generals Powers and further analyze one of them. Last I will look at the impact of the charter from the larger participation the public can have in government, and how it increased the power of the courts.
Firstly, the Forty-Ninth parallel is the line at which Canada and America are separated, is surpassed by southern most part of Canada, Vancouver. This is a province that is full of history and atmosphere unknown to many. An English sailor, Captain James Cook, discovered the island of Vancouver in 1778. Originally, the island was a colony of Great Britain, and until immigration open the gates to the province in the nineteen-fifty's, eighty percent of the residents in Vancouver could trace back their ancestry to Britain. As that the colony was originally settled, as a stop over for British travelers on their way to England the majority of British people made Vancouver particularly pleasing. In the late eighteen-fifty's gold was found, and attracted some new inhabitants that displeased the residents of Vancouver, due to their low social status, and poor manners. Vancouver undeniably has an uncanny resemblance of Great Britain. The likeness in architecture of buildings, society, decisions and format of government is apparent within the island. This is shown with the almost mimic, gives Vancouver a rare atmosphere of a Britain on the Pacific Ocean. Of course in the 1982 Canada was given the power to amend and create their own constitution. They bec...
Stevenson, Garth. "Canadian Federalism: The Myth of the Status Quo." Reinventing Canada: Politics of the 21st Century. Ed. M. Janine Brodie and Linda Trimble. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2003. 204-14. Print.
It was once stated by F.R.Scott “ There are two miracles in canadian history. The first is the survival of French Canada, and the second is the survival of Canada.” His quote came to reality as of Canada grew to be a stable and secure country where everyone would want to be. Yet to accomplish this, many obstacles and events occurred such as the Spanish Succession war in 1713 , the seven years war in 1763, the constitutional act in 1791 and finally the Act of Union in 1841. First in 1713, the Spanish Succession war occurred where the British took control of Acadia. Soon after that, in 1763 the Seven Years War ended where the British took over New France and was later renamed British North America. Before the British most of the colonies were
The British North America Act went into effect July 1st, 1867 creating a union known as the Dominion of Canada, but this did not complete the debate on the Confederation issue. Many Nova Scotians continued their opposition to the idea and it would take considerable time before all Nova Scotians would accept the fact of Confederation. “These Nova Scotians, disgruntled at their treatment by Great Britain, found that their loyalty had markedly diminished. The more they considered taking over the responsibility for their own affairs from England, however, the greater trust they had to place in Confederation.”25 Confederation struck a balance between the rights of English and French speaking Canadians. Nevertheless, many divisions, conflicts, and debates would occur not only in Quebec but also in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick over this balance. Economic disparities between the Maritimes and the rest of Canada would also create many problems for the years following 1867. As a result, Confederation can be viewed as a beginning and not an end.
Canada experienced the revolution of changing politics and new ideologies, it was a necessary wave
I define history as important events that have happened in the past, and the ones that are presently happening. At some time or another everything will be considered history. History tells a story, whether it’s written, painted, carved, or sung; a collection of events that someone explains to you that is usually important.