Section 56 of the Constitution Act, 1867

Section 56 of the Constitution Act, 1867 (French: article 56 de la Loi constitutionnelle de 1867) is a provision of the Constitution of Canada which previously set out the power of the British government to disallow laws passed by the Parliament of Canada. This power was only used once and no longer exists. The British government gave up the power as a result of the Balfour Declaration of 1926, which recognised Canada and the other British Dominions as equals of the United Kingdom.

The disallowance power in section 56 also applies indirectly to the provinces. Section 90 of the act provides that the provision respecting the disallowance of acts also applies to provincial laws. There is ambiguity whether the power still exists in relation to the provinces.

The Constitution Act, 1867 is the constitutional statute which established Canada. Originally named the British North America Act, 1867, the Act continues to be the foundational statute for the Constitution of Canada, although it has been amended many times since 1867. It is now recognised as part of the supreme law of Canada.

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