Browse "Constitution"

Article

Act of Union (Plain-Language Summary)

The Act of Union was passed by the British Parliament in July 1840. It became law on 10 February 1841. It merged Canada West (formerly Upper Canada) and Canada East (formerly Lower Canada) into the Province of Canada (1841–67). The Act was based on the findings of the Durham Report. It was presented by Lord Durham in 1839. The Act sought to assimilate French Canadians, limit the power of the Family Compact and promote economic growth. This article is a plain-language summary of the Act of Union. If you would like to read about this topic in more depth, please see our full-length entry: Act of Union.

Article

Charlottetown Conference (Plain-Language Summary)

The Charlottetown Conference was a first step toward Confederation. It was held 1–9 September 1864 in Charlottetown. Follow-up meetings were held the following week in Halifax, Saint John and Fredericton. It was all organized by leaders from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The purpose was to discuss the union of their three colonies. A group from the Province of Canada convinced them to unite all the British North American colonies. The meeting was followed by the Quebec Conference (10–27 October 1864) and the London Conference (December 1886–March 1867). They all led to Confederation on 1 July 1867. This article is a plain-language summary of the Charlottetown Conference. If you would like to read about this topic in more depth, please see our full-length entry: Charlottetown Conference.

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Constitutional Act, 1791 (Plain-Language Summary)

The Constitutional Act, 1791 was an act of the British Parliament. It was also known as the Canada Act. It divided the Province of Quebec into Upper Canada and Lower Canada. The Act was a first step on the long path to Confederation. It also gave women who owned property in Lower Canada the right to vote. But its rigid colonial structures set the stage for the Rebellions of 1837–38. This article is a plain-language summary of the Constitutional Act, 1791. If you would like to read about this topic in more depth, please see our full-length entry: Constitutional Act, 1791.

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Great Coalition of 1864 (Plain-Language Summary)

In the early 1860s, politics in the Province of Canada were unstable and deadlocked. The Great Coalition of 1864 was a turning point in Canadian history. It broke the logjam and helped to create a new country. It united Reformers and Conservatives in the cause of constitutional reform. This paved the way for the Charlottetown Conference and Confederation. This article is a plain-language summary of the Great Coalition of 1864. If you would like to read about this topic in more depth, please see our full-length entry: Great Coalition of 1864.

Education Guide

Introduction to the Justice System in Canada Learning Tool

A healthy democratic society functions best when its population is educated and engaged as active and informed citizens. This tool is designed to help educators help students think critically about the history and basic principles of the justice system in Canada. The tool focuses specifically on certain key moments, documents, and institutions that are fundamental to the origin and development of the current system in Canada.

Article

Rep by Pop (Plain-Language Summary)

Representation by population (or “rep by pop”) is a political system. It is when seats in a legislature are assigned based on population. This upholds a basic idea of democracy that all votes should be counted equally. Rep by pop was a deeply divisive issue in the Province of Canada (1841–67). It became an important factor in Confederation. This article is a plain-language summary of Rep by Pop. If you would like to read about this topic in more depth, please see our full-length entry: Rep by Pop.

Video

The Official Languages Act