The Constitution of Canada

1. Introduction

2. The Making of the Canadian Constitution
I. Pre-confederation Canada
A. Founding of British North America
B. Conflict, Rebellion, and Responsible Government
II. Post-confederation Canada
A. Territorial Extension
B. From Colony to Nation
C. Canada's Economic Evolution
D. Provincialism, Regionalism, and Canadian Nationhood
E. Federalism and the French Canadians
F. Multicultural Canada
G. Indigenous Rights
III. The Contemporary Canadian Constitution: Patriation and its Aftermath
A. Constitution Act 1982
B. Negotiations after Patriation
C. 1995 Referendum on Quebec Sovereignty and the Secession Reference
D. 'Administrative Measures'
IV. Conclusion
Selected Reading

3. The Legislative Power
I. Parliamentary Sovereignty
A. Principle
B. Internal Limitations on Parliamentary Sovereignty
C. Limitation (or Abandonment?) of Parliamentary Sovereignty
II. Canadian Parliaments
A. Parliament of Canada
B. Provincial Legislatures
C. Other Legislative Bodies
III. The Legislative Process
IV. Parliamentary Office-holders
V. Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities
VI. Public Participation in the Legislative Process
VII. Elections
VIII. Reform of the Legislative Process
IX. Conclusion
Selected Reading

4. The Executive Power
I. Responsible Government
A. Principle
B. Formation of Governments
C. Responsible Government as a Constitutional Convention
II. Structure of the Executive
A. Governor General and Lieutenant Governors
B. Prime Minister and Cabinet
C. Ministers and their Departments
D. Government Agencies, Crown Corporations, and Administrative Tribunals
III. The Rule of Law
A. Legal Foundations of Executive Authority
B. Executive Privileges and Immunities
C. Institutionalization of the Rule of Law
IV. Conclusion 0
Selected Reading

5. The Judiciary
I. Court Structure
A. Superior Courts
B. Federal Court
C. Provincial Courts
D. Administrative Tribunals
E. Supreme Court of Canada
II. Judicial Independence
A. Constitution Act 1867, Sections 99 and 100
B. Constitution Act 1982, Section 11(d)
C. Implied Principle of Judicial Independence
III. Supreme Court of Canada as a Constitutional Court
A. References and Justiciability
B. Parties, Intervenors, Representation, and Evidence
C. Constitutional Remedies and Stare Decisis
IV. Conclusion
Selected Reading

6. Federalism
I. Visions of the Canadian Federation
A. Canada as a Quasi-Federation
B. Compact versus Statute?
C. Quebec's Distinct Society versus the Equality of the Provinces
D. Comparisons to the European Union
E. Conclusion
II. Principles of Interpretation of the Division of Powers
III. Federal and Provincial Powers
A. Peace, Order, and Good Government
B. 'Property and Civil Rights' and 'Matters of a Merely Local or Private Nature'
C. Federal Economic Powers
D. Criminal Law Power
E. Social Legislation
F. Citizenship, International Affairs, and Defence
G. Provincial Authority Over Public Lands
H. Fiscal Relations, Taxation, Equalization, and the Spending Power
IV. Interprovincial Conflicts
V. Cooperative Federalism
VI. Conclusion
Selected Reading

7. Rights and Freedoms
I. The Universe of Rights Protections in Canada
A. Legislative Support of Rights
B. Courts and Rights before the Charter
C. Executive Enforcement of Rights
II. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
A. Application and Structure
B. Substance of Rights and Freedoms under the Charter
III. Conclusion
Selected Reading

8. Indigenous Peoples
I. Constitution Act 1982, Section 35
A. Adoption of Section 35
B. Indigenous Rights to Land and Resources
C. Effect of Section 35
D. Haida and the Turn Towards Interim Measures
II. Federal/Provincial Authority, Fiduciary Obligations, and the Honour of the Crown
A. Constitutional Authority with Respect to Indigenous Peoples
B. Fiduciary Duties and the Honour of the Crown
III. Treaties
IV. Self-government
V. Resurgence of Indigenous Jurisdictions
VI. Conclusion
Selected Reading

9. Conclusion
Selected Reading