rights. The topics of freedom and rights interest human beings because they pertain to the allowances of
human beings. However, what are, “rights”? What is, “Freedom”? Are these concepts inherent to us?
Were they given to us by a supreme being? Are they an establishment of society to preserve the social
structure? Through this essay, the following list of events in Canadian history; The British North
America Act, the Statute of Westminster, the Quebec Referendum of 1980, the Constitution Act of
1982, The Charlotte town Accord, the Quebec Referendum of 1995, and Canada's Unwritten
Constitution will be explored to provide an overall context and overview of the evolution of Canada's
Constitution Act. Additional speculation will contrast; the direction of the evolutionary process of the
Canadian Constitution from a critical analysis perspective based on fact, to the values that are preached
as ideals in Canada in the Constitution.
Before you can understand something, you first have to understand where it has come
from and why that something's roots led to where it did opposed to another path and/or endgame. The
Canadian Constitution's status is where it is primarily because of four main events; The British North
America Act of 1867, The Constitution Act of 1982, Supreme Court decisions and Canada's Unwritten
Constitution. Canada's unwritten constitution? What does that mean? An example of Canada's
unwritten constitution would be what “Cabinet Solidarity.” This concept is when if a cabinet minister
must resign if he/she does not agree with a decision reached by the cabinet. This is not a law, but is still
followed by the Canadian Government.[1] A large quantity of people who either aren't involved in or just
flat out don't understand politics, vote with a certain mentality and either can't or won't read between
the lines in a politicians words. This is a huge problem because as humans know from history, a man
named Adolf Hitler, told people countless amounts of appealing promises which were in fact delivered.
However, he was not so informative amount of the means of progress. This mixed with the fact that
humans are drawn to a good leader who knows what to say can lead to a whole new World War II,
except, the understanding of the human behavior has advanced since then so it has become significantly
easier to conceal a hidden agenda behind a warm smile and a well thought out speech.
In the year 1867, legislation written by the fathers of Canadian Confederation was passed in
Great Britain. This act was to be known formally as The British North America Act, which held the
opening clause; “WHEREAS the provinces of Canada (Ontario & Quebec), Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick have expressed their desire to be federally united into One Dominion under the crown of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the
United Kingdom”.[2] Canada then proceeded to establish a political structure that had a fair amount of
leeway, as they were able to operate differently because the clause, “A constitution that is similar in
principle to that of the United Kingdom”.[3] Canada's unwritten constitution is strongly employed here;
“The constitution made no mention of a prime minister”.[4] This decision on behalf of the new, inexperienced government of newly-established Canada is very rash. However, the British still reserved
the ability to decide what legislation would be passed. This matter didn't matter much though to
Canadian government as they controlled all the affairs in regarding taxation, national defense, and
economic development. Also, there was a large division of power between the federal and provincial
government where the provincial