Canadian Constitution

CANADIAN CONSTITUTION

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/charter/
(click for the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)

Much of the Canadian political environment is symbolically summarized in the Constitution

It is the nature of Constitution to formally present the ideal type of a society. To symbolically represent the guiding principles of our political society

What constitutions do:

Define the limits of state power

Reflect historical struggles of the state

Continue to be dynamic and areas of contention and debate

Outline the distribution of power in the State

Expression of integral power balance in a society

Canada – hybrid Constitutional tradition

Primary Principles:

Parliament supremacy

Democracy

Federalism

Rule of Law - Constitutionalism

Protection of Minorities

Relationship between Executive, legislature, and judiciary

Geographical relationship:

Judicial review:

Relationship to citizens:

Fundamental Freedoms

Democratic Rights

Mobility Rights

Legal Rights

Equality Rights

Language Rights

Aboriginal Rights

Parliamentary supremacy, if it has not been replaced, has been significantly qualified by constitutional supremacy

Amendment Procedure

Citizen Participation in Constitutional Reform