When Canadians think of human rights law, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and their provincial human rights Acts are most likely to come to mind. These are the best known and most important human rights instruments. But what is a Bill of Rights and how is that different from these other two human … [Read more...]
The Constitutions of the Maritime Provinces
To understand the constitutional makeup of Canada, one must appreciate an important historical fact: the constitutional heritage of the country is older than the country itself. This is so because several of the provinces that would eventually become part of the Dominion of Canada had their own … [Read more...]
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: An Integral Part of our Constitution
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter has had a significant impact on our governments and courts and it is a part of our Constitution. How does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter), the Constitution Act, 1982, Schedule B to … [Read more...]
O Patria: The Patriation Struggles
Should a government fail to respect natural rights, wrote Locke and Rousseau, then disobedience and rebellion were justified. Thus was born the modern notion of human rights. So responsive was this notion that the greatest social revolutions in the history of the western world took place – one in … [Read more...]
Evolution, Not Revolution: Canada’s Constitutional History and the Constitution Act, 1867
You say you want a revolution,Well, you knowWe all want to change the worldYou tell me that it’s evolutionWell, you knowWe all want to change the world…You say you’ll change the constitutionWell, you knowWe all want to change your head- From “Revolution” by John Lennon and Paul … [Read more...]
