POLS 111 Flashcards
British North American Act
Established in 1867, designated Canada as a dominion.
- Established federal system (Section 91,92)
- Established bi-cameralism & governor-general
Constitution Act
- Modernization of BNA Act
- Established in 1982
Section 91 & 92
91 - Federal
92 - Provincial
Federal Powers
Under section 91:
MIlitary, Banking, Postal service, Criminal Law, First Nations, Interprovincial shipping
Provincial Powers
Section 92:
Health care, social services, education, civil governments, court system, property rights, natural resources
Charter of Rights
Part of the constitution act 1982.
Fundamental Freedoms
Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
Section 35 in Constitution Act
Equalization Payments
Revenue sharing among provinces to equalize programs.
Constitution Amendments
Some changes require unanimous approval
Others require 7 provinces and 50% of the population to be successful
Section 1
Guarantees rights and freedoms, also allows government to balance individual rights with community interests. Must justify this to the courts.
Meech Lake Accord
- 1987
- Recognizes Quebec as a distinct society, and gave them constitutional veto
- Needed unanimous approval from provinces but failed because of Elijah Harper.
Charlottetown Accord
- 1992
- Canada as an economic and social union
- Triple EEE senate (Equal, elected, effective)
- Immigration powers to provinces
- Aboriginals as Third Order of Government with self-determination
- Failed in a referendum because of the extreme unpopularity of Brian Mulroney, and the fact that it had so many different proposals made people not like some aspect of it.
Declaration of Independence
1776
Established independence, republicanism, federalism
Has bill of rights
Checks and balances
Responsible Government
The cabinet (Ministers and PM) must hold the confidence of the HofC. If not, they must resign.
Governor General
Appointed by PM
Serve for 6 years, convention is 5
Swear in cabinet, approves bills, commander in chief of thee CAF
