The Constitution

1
The Constitution

• Chapter 2
• Malcolmson Myers

2
Announcements

• Make-up exam see me after class
• Exams back by Friday 10th Feb.
• Discuss grading distribution Friday
• Friday is last day to withdraw with W

3
Constitutions definition function

• Constitution set of rules that authoritatively
  establishes both the structure fundamental
  principles of a political regime

4
Constitutions definition function

• Empowers who or what exercises power
• Legislative, Executive, Judicial
• Divides Power
• Unitary vs. federal
• Residual power
• Limits Power
• Negative positive rights

5
Constitutions definition function

• Empowers who or what exercises power
• Legislative, Executive, Judicial
• Divides Power
• Unitary vs. federal
• Residual power
• Limits Power
• Negative positive rights

6
Constitutions definition function

• Empowers who or what exercises power
• Legislative, Executive, Judicial
• Divides Power
• Unitary vs. federal
• Residual power
• Limits Power
• Negative positive rights

7
Constitutional Forms

• Conventions
• rule based on implicit agreement precedent
  enforced in political arena
• Organic Statutes
• Regular law, but on constitutional matters
  changeable
• Constitutional Laws
• Entrenchment

8
Constitutional Forms

• Conventions
• rule based on implicit agreement precedent
  enforced in political arena
• Organic Statutes
• Regular law, but on constitutional matters
  changeable
• Constitutional Laws
• Entrenchment

9
Constitutional Forms

• Conventions
• rule based on implicit agreement precedent
  enforced in political arena
• Organic Statutes
• Regular law, but on constitutional matters
  changeable
• Constitutional Laws
• Entrenchment

10
The Canadian Constitution

• Constitution Act 1867
• The British North America Act
• Constitution Act 1982
• Charter of Rights Freedoms

11
Constitution Act 1867

• Preamble
• Establishes Responsible Government (Convention)
• Parts III IV
• Describes executive legislative power
• Part VI
• Sections 91 92
• Part VIII
• Establishment of Supreme Court (Organic Statute)

12
Constitution Act 1867

• No entrenchment or amending formula
• Act of British Parliament
• No Bill of Rights
• Conventions via British law tradition
• Utilitarian approach of Fathers of Confederation

13
Constitution Act 1982

• Impetus
• Patriation
• Amending formula
• Several contending agendas
• Provincial power (Quebec)
• Bill of Rights (Trudeau)

14
Constitution Act 1982

• Impetus
• Patriation
• Amending formula
• Several contending agendas
• Provincial power (Quebec)
• Bill of Rights (Trudeau)

15
Constitution Act 1982

• Part I Charter of Rights Freedoms
• Positive vs. Negative Rights the Notwithstanding
  Clause
• Part III Equalization
• National standards, regional tension economic
  impact
• Part V Amending Procedure
• Veto Points Gridlock
• Part VII
• Section 52

16
Constitutional Issues

• Injection of judicial review into Canadian
  politics
• Place of Quebec in constitutional regime
• Non-ratification
• Distinct Society status
• Clarity Act 2000
• Multiplication of veto points
• Paper Tigers