Which law first defined the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments?
- The British North America Act of 1867, now the Constitution Act, 1867
- The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- The Official Languages Act
- The Royal Proclamation of 1763
Answer: The British North America Act of 1867, now the Constitution Act, 1867
The British North America Act of 1867 set out the powers of the federal and provincial governments at Confederation. It is now called the Constitution Act, 1867. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms came much later, in 1982.
Learn more: Federal state: who does what
- Canada has federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments.
- Federal and provincial powers were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now the Constitution Act, 1867.
- Federal responsibilities: defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
- Provincial responsibilities: municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
- The federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration. The table of government responsibilities also lists the environment as shared.
- Health care is a provincial and territorial responsibility; the Canada Health Act ensures common elements and a basic standard of coverage.
- Federalism lets provinces tailor policies to their own populations and experiment with new ideas.