The Constitution Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, resulted in several significant developments for Canada:
-
Canada became a self-governing dominion: The Act established the Dominion of Canada, marking a significant step towards Canadian independence, though it did not completely sever ties with England. Canada was still a part of the British Empire and subject to British legislation in certain matters.
-
Established federalism: The Act created a federal system of government, dividing powers between the national government and the provinces. This was crucial in shaping the political landscape of Canada.
-
The role of the Prime Minister: While the Act did not explicitly establish the role of Prime Minister, it laid the groundwork for parliamentary democracy in Canada, where the Prime Minister would emerge as the leader of the government.
-
Language provisions: The Act did not designate English as the only official language; rather, it acknowledged both English and French, recognizing the bilingual nature of Canada, especially in relation to the province of Quebec.
In summary, the Constitution Act of 1867 marked the beginning of Canada as a self-governing entity within the British Empire without completely breaking ties but laid the foundation for further independence in the future.