Constitution Act, 1867
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the Government thereof; and for Purposes connected therewith. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 30 & 31 Vict. c. 3 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 29 March 1867 |
| Commencement | 1 July 1867 |
| Other legislation | |
| Relates to | Canada Act 1982 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Part of a series on the |
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The Constitution Act, 1867 (French: Loi constitutionnelle de 1867), originally enacted as the British North America Act, 1867 (BNA Act), is a major part of the Constitution of Canada. The act created Canada, a federal country, and defines much of its structure, including the Parliament of Canada (composed of the monarch, the House of Commons, and the Senate), the executive, parts of the court system, and the division of powers between the federal government and the provinces. The act also created two new provinces, Ontario and Quebec, and set out their constitutions.
In 1982, with the patriation of the Constitution, the British North America Acts which were originally enacted by the British Parliament, including this act, were renamed the Constitution Acts. However, the acts are still known by their original names in records of the United Kingdom. Amendments were also made at this time: section 92A was added, giving provinces greater control over non-renewable natural resources.
The long title is "An Act for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the Government Thereof; and for Purposes Connected Therewith."