Constitutional debate in Canada

Part of a series on the
Constitution of Canada
Constitutional history Bill of Rights (1689) Act of Settlement (1701) Treaty of Paris (1763) Royal Proclamation (1763) Quebec Act (1774) Constitutional Act (1791) Act of Union (1840) Constitution Act (1867) Supreme Court Act (1875) Constitution Act (1886) British North America Acts (1867–1975) Treaty of Versailles Statute of Westminster (1931) Implied bill of rights Succession to the Throne Act (1937) Letters Patent (1947) Canada Act (1982) Constitution Act, 1982 Succession to the Throne Act, 2013
Document list Amendments Unsuccessful amendments
Constitutional law Constitutional debate Patriation Charter of Rights and Freedoms Canadian federalism Law of Canada Canadian Bill of Rights Implied bill of rights
Canada portal Law portal
v t e

The Constitutional debate of Canada is an ongoing debate covering various political issues regarding the fundamental law of the country. The debate can be traced back to the Royal Proclamation, issued on October 7, 1763, following the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1763) wherein France ceded most of New France to Great Britain in favour of keeping Guadeloupe.

Since the enactment of the Constitution Act, 1867, which brought the Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia together as Canada, the debate has focused on these issues:

• The interpretation of the Constitution
• The division of powers between the federal and provincial governments
• The type of federalism to be applied within the federation
• The way the constitution should be amended
• The inclusion of specific civil rights in the constitution