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The Canada Council for the Arts is a federal, arm’s-length Crown corporation created by an Act of Parliament in 1957. Its purpose is “to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.”
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Earl Andrew · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency of Parliament, headed by the Chief Electoral Officer. The position of Chief Electoral Officer was created in 1920 by the Dominion Elections Act, largely to end political partisanship in the administration of federal elections.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Can Pac Swire · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
In 1946, Viola Desmond, a successful Nova Scotia businesswoman, refused to leave a whites-only area of a movie theatre; her court case inspired the pursuit of racial equality across Canada. In 2018 she appeared on Canada’s first vertical bank note, the $10 note.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Colin Stepney · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Nisg̱a’a Treaty, British Columbia’s first modern treaty, took effect on 11 May 2000. It recognizes about 2,000 square kilometres of Nisg̱a’a Lands and was the first treaty in British Columbia to provide constitutional certainty for self-government.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Darren Kirby · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
Canada adopted its first federal Official Languages Act in 1969. It declared English and French to be the two official languages of the Parliament and government of Canada.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Takipoint123 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
On 18 October 1929, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled that women were “persons” under section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, and therefore eligible for appointment to the Senate. The appeal followed a 1928 Supreme Court of Canada decision and a campaign by five Alberta women: Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: John.B.Codrington · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
CBC/Radio-Canada is a Crown corporation established by Parliament in 1936 as Canada’s national public broadcaster. Its current mandate is set out in the Broadcasting Act of 1991.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Arild Vågen · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Equalization is the Government of Canada’s transfer program for addressing fiscal disparities among provinces. It began in 1957, its payments are unconditional, and section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 commits Parliament and the Government of Canada to the principle of making equalization payments.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
From the early 19th century until the American Civil War, settlements along the Detroit and Niagara rivers were important terminals of the Underground Railroad, a network of Black and white abolitionists helping African Americans find freedom. By 1861, some 30,000 freedom-seekers lived in what is now Ontario.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: M. Readey · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
Section 92(8) of the Constitution Act, 1867 assigns municipal institutions in a province to provincial legislative authority. Municipal governments therefore operate within legal frameworks established by their provinces.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wilfredor · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Supreme Court of Canada is the country’s final court of appeal. Its work includes cases involving common law, civil law and constitutional questions, as well as advisory opinions on questions referred to it.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
English and French have equal status in the institutions of Parliament and the Government of Canada. This institutional principle is different from saying that every Canadian must speak both languages.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Chris Woodrich · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The British Parliament’s Quebec Act of 1774 restored French civil law in the Province of Quebec while British criminal law remained. It also allowed Roman Catholics to practise their faith.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Diliff · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.5 · Credit & contextJudicial independence means that judges can decide cases on the basis of law and facts, free from improper influence by government or other outside parties. It supports the rule of law.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. It identifies Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples for this provision.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextThe Statute of Westminster, 1931 recognized the Dominions’ legal autonomy. Canada retained a reservation concerning amendments to the British North America Acts; domestic constitutional amendment procedures followed in 1982.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Diliff · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.5 · Credit & context
Many women gained the federal vote in 1918 when the gender barrier was removed. Other eligibility restrictions still excluded some women, so the change did not establish universal voting rights.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: John.B.Codrington · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The federal government introduced a head tax on Chinese immigrants in 1885. This discriminatory measure was distinct from the restrictive Chinese Immigration Act adopted in 1923, which severely limited Chinese immigration.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Northwest · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Provinces exercise constitutionally recognized legislative powers. Territorial governments exercise powers delegated under federal legislation. Devolution has transferred additional responsibilities to territorial governments over time.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: OhanaUnited · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextEach member of Parliament represents a constituency in the House of Commons. Members consider legislation, work on committees and carry out duties in their constituencies as well as in Parliament.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Section 3 of the Canada Elections Act defines a qualified elector as a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on polling day. Registration and identification are separate parts of the voting process.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Coastal Elite from Halifax, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
A federal bill must be adopted in identical form by the House of Commons and the Senate and receive royal assent to become law. Its provisions may come into force at a later date.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Kelvin Chan · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextThe prime minister and Cabinet must answer to the House of Commons for their actions. The government must maintain the confidence of the House to remain in office under Canada’s system of responsible government.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Canada has a federal system. Its Constitution distributes legislative powers between the federal Parliament and provincial legislatures, rather than placing every area of government under one legislature.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context