Consolidation of the Constitution Acts, 1967 to 1982
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The Governor Genera. and the Head of State Functions
The Governor Genera. and the Head of State Functions THOMAS FRANCK* Lincoln, Nebraska In most, though by no means all democratic states,' the "Head o£ State" is a convenient legal and political fiction the purpose of which is to personify the complex political functions of govern- ment. What distinguishes the operations of this fiction in Canada is the fact that the functions of head of state are not discharged by any one person. Some, by legislative enactment, are vested in the Governor General. Others are delegated to the Governor General by the Crown. Still others are exercised by the Queen in person. A survey of these functions will reveal, however, that many more of the duties of the Canadian head of state are to-day dis- charged by the Governor General than are performed by the Queen. Indeed, it will reveal that some of the functions cannot be dis- charged by anyone else. It is essential that we become aware of this development in Canadian constitutional practice and take legal cognizance of the consequently increasing stature and importance of the Queen's representative in Canada. Formal Vesting of Head of State Functions in Constitutional Governments ofthe Commonnealth Reahns In most of the realms of the Commonwealth, the basic constitut- ional documents formally vest executive power in the Queen. Section 9 of the British North America Act, 1867,2 states: "The Executive Government and authority of and over Canada is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen", while section 17 establishes that "There shall be one Parliament for Canada, consist- ing of the Queen, an Upper House, styled the Senate, and the *Thomas Franck, B.A., LL.B. -
The Monarchy in Prince Edward Island
The Monarchy in Prince Edward Island Canada’s History with the Royal Family per cent of the world’s people. Canada was created in 1867. By most standards, Canada, though a relatively young country, has a long- Constitutional Monarchy standing association with royal families. Thirty-two As a Constitutional Monarch, the Queen’s powers are kings and queens reigned over the country long before exercised by the Prime Minister or Premier who are Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of Canada. Canada responsible to the elected representatives of the people was explored, settled and grew during the reigns of in the House of Commons and the provincial British monarchs as far back as 1497. legislative assemblies. Though largely symbolic, the Crown is an integral part of our governmental Canada’s Governmental System structure. The Canadian Constitution limits the power and the Monarchy of the Crown in government, creating a primarily symbolic Canada is a federal state (that is, role for the Queen. Because the it has two levels of government, Queen resides in Britain, she is national and provincial) with a represented in Canada by the constitutional monarchy and a Governor General and in each of parliamentary democracy. Our the provinces by a Lieutenant head of state is the Queen of Governor. Canada. She is also the Queen of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and many other Did You Know? countries within the British The Honourable Antoinette Perry Commonwealth of Nations. Acts is our current Lieutenant of parliament and many actions Governor. She was sworn into of our national and provincial office on October 20, 2017 and is nd governments are made in the the 42 Lieutenant Governor of name of the Queen, though the Prince Edward Island. -
File:British North America Act 1867.Pdf
ANNO TRICESIMO VTCTOR.LE REGIN.,E. +3Nk'**+'MM**s'#0M#++Wifly4JIa** ****** Mild,o-*.**Yi +Y2 41P*: !!ilF+t * *****ii** C A P. M. An Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswvick, 'and the Government thereof;' and for Purposes connected therewith. [29th March 1867.] HEREAS the Provinces of Granada, Nova S'ootia, and : Now Bra wick have expressed their Desire to ' be federally united , into One Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great BrUai# and Ireland,, with a Consti- 'tution similar in Priuoiplf, to that of the United Kingdom And whereas such a Union would conduce to the Welfare of 'the Pi°ovihoes` and promote the Interests of the Brith Empire : 'And whereas on the Establishment of the 'Union by Authority of 'Parliament it is expedient, not only that the Constitution of the Legislative Authority in the Dominion be provided for, but also that the Nature of the Executive Government therein be declared : And whereas it is expedient that Provision be -made for the eventual Admission into the Union of other Parts` of British North, America : Be ' it therefore enacted and declared by the ' Queen's' most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual C, and, 10 30° VICTORI.E, Cap.3. British North America. and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, as follows : I.-PRELIMINARY. Short Title. 1. This Act may be cited as The British North America Act, 1867. Application 2. The Provisions of this Act referring to Her Majesty the Queen o`.' Provisions referring to extend also to the Heirs and Successors of Her Majesty, Kings and the Queen. -
Of Dissolution, Prorogation, and Constitutional Law, Principle and Convention: Maintaining Fundamental Distinctions During a Parliamentary Crisis
Of Dissolution, Prorogation, and Constitutional Law, Principle and Convention: Maintaining Fundamental Distinctions during a Parliamentary Crisis Warren J. Newman* 1. INTRODUCTION The preamble to the Constitution Act, 1867, declares that Canada is to have “a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom”, which thus in- cludes a constitutional monarchy and a system of parliamentary and responsible government. The law of the Constitution of Canada is to be found primarily in the provisions of the Constitution Acts, as well as the rules of the common law and the royal letters patent relating to the exercise of the Crown’s prerogatives. The con- ventions of the Constitution are rules of conduct, informed by principle and prece- dent, which govern the exercise of legal power by constitutional and political ac- tors. The distinction between the legal and the conventional rules of constitutional behaviour are fundamental to our system of government, as the conventional rules are not enforceable by the courts, since they are not rules of law. This distinction guides us, from the standpoint of the separation of powers, as to the appropriate role of the courts and the legitimate purview of constitutional judicial review. It also assists in delineating the boundaries of the competency of constitutional law- yers and other constitutional experts such as historians and political scientists, respectively. On September 7, 2008, the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency Micha¨elle Jean, issued a proclamation dissolving the 39th Parliament. The dissolu- tion was on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper. The Governor General also signed the proclamation issuing election writs, which set the polling date for a general election to be held on October 14, as well as a proclamation summoning Parliament to meet in November. -
Some Observations on the Queen, the Crown, the Constitution, and the Courts Warren J Newman*
Some Observations on the Queen, the Crown, the Constitution, and the Courts Warren J Newman* Canada was established in 1867 as a Dominion Le Canada fut fondé en 1867 comme un under the Crown of the United Kingdom, with dominion sous la Couronne du Royaume-Uni, a Constitution similar in principle to that of the avec une constitution semblable en principe à celle United Kingdom. Th e concept of the Crown has du Royaume-Uni. Le concept de la Couronne evolved over time, as Canada became a fully a évolué au fi l du temps, au fur et à mesure independent state. However in 2017, Canada que le Canada est devenu un état entièrement remains a constitutional monarchy within what indépendant, mais en 2017 le Canada demeure is now the Commonwealth, and the offi ces of the une monarchie constitutionnelle à l’intérieur Queen, the Governor General, and the provincial de ce qui est maintenant le Commonwealth et Lieutenant Governors are constitutionally les fonctions de la Reine, du gouverneur général entrenched. Indeed, in elucidating the meaning et des lieutenants-gouverneurs des provinces ont of the Crown, an abstraction that naturally été constitutionnalisées. En fait, en élucidant le gives rise to academic debate and divergent sens de la Couronne, une abstraction qui donne perspectives, it is important not to lose sight of naturellement lieu à des débats théoriques et des the real person who is Her Majesty, given the points de vue divergents, il est important de ne importance that our constitutional framework pas perdre de vue la vraie personne qui est Sa attaches to her role, status, and powers. -
Monarchist League of Canada
THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE of CANADA Justin Trudeau takes Oath of Office as Prime Minister before Governor General David Johnston. “I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors. So help me God.” – Canada’s Oath of Allegiance, sworn by many public officials Members of the Canadian Royal Family make frequent homecomings here. In May 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau joined Prince Harry in checking out facilities for the Toronto 2017 Invictus Games, Prince Harry’s sporting event for ill, injured and wounded soldiers and veterans. Our Canadian Monarchy © 2017 by the Monarchist League of Canada. All rights reserved. All images remain the property of their respective owners 2 OUR CANADIAN MONARCHY Canada 150 portrait of The Queen, wearing the Maple Leaf brooch presented to her mother by George VI before their 1939 tour of Canada. Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada The Queen is the representation of all of Canada within one person. Together with her representatives and members of the Royal Family, she promotes “all that is best and most admired in the Canadian ideal”. Governor General Julie Payette gives Royal Assent in the Senate on December 12, 2017. 3 THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE of CANADA Canada: always a monarchy he lands that now comprise modern-day Canada Thave long been reigned over by hereditary leaders. Canada enjoys a history of functioning government that began to evolve centuries before European contact with Indigenous peoples. Many Indigenous groups were headed by a chieftain who was advised by a council of elders, not unlike the series of French and British monarchs in whose name the original colonies of North America were founded. -
S.C.C. File No. 35842 BEFORE the SUPREME COURT of CANADA
S.C.C. File No. 35842 BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA (ON APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL OF ALBERTA) BETWEEN: GILLES CARON APPELLANT (Appellant) - and- HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF ALBERTA RESPONDENT (Respondent) - and- ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA, ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA CATHOLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEES' ASSOCIATION, CONSEIL SCOLAIRE CENTRE-NORD NO. 2 AND DENIS LEFEBVRE, ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE-FRANÇAISE DE L'ALBERTA, COMMISSAIRE AUX LANGUES OFFICIELLES DU CANADA, ASSEMBLÉE COMMUNAUTAIRE FRANSASKOISE, MÉTIS NATIONAL COUNCIL, FÉDÉRATION DES ASSOCIATIONS DE JURISTES D'EXPRESSION FRANÇAISE DE COMMON LAW INC. INTERVENERS FACTUM OF THE RESPONDENT HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF ALBERTA MCLENNAN ROSS LLP GOWLING LAFLEUR HENDERSON LLP Barristers and Solicitors Barristers and Solicitors 12220 Stony Plain Road N.W., Suite 600 160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600 Edmonton, AB T5N 3Y4 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1C3 Telephone: (780) 482-9247 Telephone: (613) 786-8695 Facsimile: (780) 482-9101 Facsimile: (613) 788-3509 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Teresa R. Haykowsky D. Lynne Watt David D. Risling Ottawa Agents for Counsel for the Respondent, Peter P. Taschuk Her Majesty The Queen Counsel for the Respondent, Her Majesty The Queen (ii) MILLER THOMSON LLP JURISTES POWER Barristers and Solicitors Barristers and Solicitors 2103 – 11th Avenue, Suite 600 130 Albert Street, Suite 1103 Regina, SK S4P 3Z8 Ottawa, ON K1P 5G4 Telephone: (306) 347-8300 Telephone: (613) 702-5565 Facsimile: (306) 347-8350 Facsimile: 1-888-404-2227 -
(BNA) Act of 1867 (Sect
GOVERNMENT 65 3.1L1 The Executive The Crown. The British North America (BNA) Act of 1867 (Sect. 9) provides that "the Executive Government and authority of and over Canada is... vested in the Queen". The functions of the Crown (that is, the formal executive represented by the Queen), which are substantially the same as those of the Crown in relation to the British government, are dis charged in Canada by the Governor General. The Sovereign. Since Confederation Canada has had six sovereigns: Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II. The present sovereign. Queen Elizabeth, is not only Queen of Canada but of several other countries in the Commonwealth. Her Ma jesty's title for Canada was approved by Parliament and established by a Royal proclamation on May 28, 1953: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. The Queen seldom personally discharges the functions of the Crown in respect of Canada except on such occasions as the periodic appointment of the Governor General which is done on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada. On the occasion of a Royal visit, the Queen may participate in those ceremonies that are normally carried out in her name by the Governor General, such as the opening and dissolution of Parliament, the assent to bills passed by the House of Commons and the Senate, and the granting of a general amnesty. The Governor General is the representative of the Crown in Canada. -
George VI's 1939 Royal Tour of Canada
2018 V George VI’s 1939 Royal Tour of Canada: Context and the Constitution Barbara J. Messamore Article: George VI’s 1939 Royal Tour of Canada: Context and the Constitution George VI’s 1939 Royal Tour of Canada: Context and the Constitution Barbara J. Messamore Abstract: Canada has had a long tradition of tours by members of the royal family, beginning with the 1860 visit of the Prince of Wales. But George VI’s 1939 royal tour of Canada was the first by a reigning British monarch, and its real significance can only be fully understood in context. World events, most notably the looming threat from Hitler’s Germany, made Canada’s attachment to the Commonwealth vitally important. Canada’s Prime Minister Mackenzie King revered the Crown but was a prickly Canadian nationalist who was loath to make any defence commitments to the mother country. The institution of the Crown had weathered a series of crises in the period preceding the visit: the 1931 Statute of Westminster marked a fundamental change in the Crown’s relationship to the dominion governments, and the 1936 abdication sullied the sovereign’s image. The 1939 visit also raised the practical issue of how the duties of the Crown ought to be fulfilled when both the king and his dominion representative were present in the dominion. The 1939 visit represented a vital test of the institution of the Crown, and the true import of the five-week tour must be assessed in light of its political, foreign policy, and constitutional significance. Keywords: Canada, Royal tour, George VI, William Lyon Mackenzie King eorge VI’s 1939 royal tour of Canada—the first by a reigning British monarch—has been thoroughly commemorated. -
Text of the Resolution Respecting the Constitution of Canada Adopted by the House of Commons on December 2, 1981
APPENDIX Text of the Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada adopted by the House of Commons on December 2, 1981. THAT, WHEREAS in the past certain amendments to the Constitution of Canada have been made by the Parliament of the United Kingdom at the request and with the consent of Canada; AND WHEREAS it is in accord with the status of Canada as an independent state that Canadians be able to amend their Constitution in Canada in all respects; AND WHEREAS it is also desirable to provide in the Constitution of Canada for the recognition of certain fundamental rights and freedoms and to make other amendments to that Constitution; A respectful address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen in the following words: To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty: Most Gracious Sovereign: We, Your Majesty's loyal subjects, the House of Commons of Canada in Par- liament assembled, respectfully approach Your Majesty, requesting that you may graciously be pleased to cause to be laid before the Parliament of the United Kingdom a measure containing the recitals and clauses hereinafter set forth: An Act to give effect to a request by the Senate and House of Commons of Canada Whereas Canada has requested and consented to the enactment of an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to give effect to the provisions hereinafter set forth and the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada in Parliament assembled have submitted an address to Her Majesty requesting that Her Majesty may graciously be pleased to cause a Bill to be laid before the Parliament of the United Kingdon for that purpose. -
A Crown of Maples
A Crown of Maples CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY IN CANADA 2015 edition Issued also in French under the title: La Couronne canadienne Catalogue No.: CH4-129/2012E ISBN: 978-1-100-20079-8 © Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada represented by the Department of Canadian Heritage, 2015 Available at no charge from: State Ceremonial and Protocol Directorate, Department of Canadian Heritage 15 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5 phone: 819-953-4735, toll-free: 1-866-811-0055 TTY*: 1-888-997-3123 * Telecommunication device for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired or via electronic mail: [email protected] This publication can also be downloaded free of charge at the following website: www.canadiancrown.gc.ca. A CROWN OF MAPLES CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY IN CANADA During my lifetime, I have been a witness to this country for more than half its history since Confederation. I have watched with enormous admiration how Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character and its values. Queen Elizabeth II Ottawa, Ontario July 1, 2010 ii INTRO Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Queen of Canada WEARING HER CANADIAN INSIGNIA AS SOVEREIGN OF THE ORDER OF CANADA AND THE ORDER OF MILITARY MERIT. QUEEN ELIZABETH II STANDS BEFORE A PORTRAIT OF HER GREAT-GREAT-GRANDMOTHER QUEEN VICTORIA, PHOTOGRAPHED AT RIDEAU HALL, THE RESIDENCE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL. OTTAWA, ONTARIO. JULY 1, 2010. Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by her Canadian Prime Minister (The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, PC, MP) and her Canadian Police Officer (Assistant Commissioner Pierre Perron), greets the artist (Mr. -
The Emblems of British Columbia
The Emblems of British Columbia The Coat of Arms The Coat of Arms of British Columbia is were adapted to embossed emblems or one of the most important elements of the seals so that the owner of the emblem province’s visual heritage. Since its initial could authenticate documents written in creation by Canon Arthur Beanlands and their name. its being granted by Royal Warrant of Her Below is a description of the symbolism Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1987, the within the provincial Coat of Arms:1 Coat of Arms of British Columbia has been symbolic of the sovereignty, the supreme ¡ Arms – The Royal Union Flag, with power and the authority of the Province to an antique crown in the centre, create and enforce laws so as to govern itself. symbolizes the province’s origin as a It also serves to define B.C.’s co-sovereign British colony. The three wavy blue status as a province of Canada. bars represent the Pacific Ocean. The sun signifies British Columbia’s The Coat of Arms of British Columbia is location as the most westerly province reserved for use by the three branches of in Canada. government only: the Executive branch ¡ Crest – The crowned lion – the Royal (Lieutenant Governor, Premier and Cabinet), Crest of the United Kingdom – was the Legislative branch (Members of the used as the emblem of the province Legislative Assembly elected by the citizens for many years. The lion is differenced of British Columbia) and the Judicial branch by a garland of Pacific dogwoods, the (the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British provincial flower, around its neck.