Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, signed Canada’s Constitutional Proclamation on April 17, 1982 as Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (father of Justin) looked on, along with Canada’s Minister of Justice, Jean Chrétien, and André Ouellet, Registrar General. The Proclamation brought Canada’s ‘Constitution Act, 1982′ into force, making our country wholly independent. <Photo from Canadian Press>
Andrew's (High Riser) question below led me to investigate further.
The Constitution Act, 1982 patriated the British North America Act, 1867 to Canada, thus ending any Canadian dependence on the Parliament of Westminster and further defining its complete independence. It laid down that the future amendment of the constitution should be the prerogative of Canada.
Any change to the position of The Queen or her representatives in Canada now requires the unanimous consent of the Senate, the House of Commons and the legislatures of all the provinces.
Today, the ten provinces of Canada each have a separate Parliament and administration, with a Lieutenant-Governor representing The Queen, appointed by the Governor-General in Council, at the head of the executive.
Are you not still Dominion status? So Her Maj has no say at all? As she sacked our PM in the 1970s, could she sack Jussy?
ReplyDeleteOur laws still have to be signed off formally by Her Maj via our Federal Governor General and State Governors.
I updated my post with some more information. Your question led me to go down the internet rabbit hole and I found this.
DeleteToday, the word Dominion is seldom used in either private or government circles. Dominion of Canada is the country's formal title, though it is rarely used. It was first applied to Canada at Confederation in 1867.
The monarch remains constitutionally empowered to exercise the royal prerogative against the advice of the prime minister or the cabinet, but in practice would only do so in emergencies or where existing precedent does not adequately apply to the circumstances in question.
Thank you for the info.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Congrats on your independence status, but it sounds like you are still under British rule.
ReplyDeleteIt's very complicated.
ReplyDelete