CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 01 WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION? Shigenori Matsui.
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Transcript of CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 01 WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION? Shigenori Matsui.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
01 WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION?
Shigenori Matsui
INTRODUCTION
1 What is the Constitution? 2 What is a history of Constitution in Canada? 3 What is the Constitution consisted of? 4 What are the most fundamental principles of
Canadian Constitution?
I WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION?
The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state.
It establishes the Government, authorizes the powers of the Government, structures the government process and places limits on the power of the Government.
Generally speaking, it consists with the structure of the Government and the bill of rights.
What is the difference between the Constitution and other laws?
II WHY DOES MANY COUNTRIES ENACT THE CONSTITUTION?
The concept of the Constitution developed in U.K.
But it was the United States that enacted the document called the Constitution for the first time in history: The U.S. Constitution (1787)
France followed this development and enacted the 1791 Constitution after the French Revolution.
Many countries in the world followed the French precedents.
3 Constitutional History of Canada: The Enactment of BNA
Early settlement in Canada treated Canada as unsettled land ignoring the existence of aboriginal people.
It was France which had established colony in Canada.
British government conquered New France (Treaty of Paris of 1763)
The British common law regarding reception of common law and the Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Quebec Act of 1774
The Constitution Act, 1791
Durham Report and the Union Act, 1840
Instability and deadlock in province of Canada and Quebec conference
The enactment of BNA Act, 1867
4 Canadian Constitutional History: After the Enactment of the BNA Act
Constitutional History after the BNA Act History of acquiring more autonomy
History of establishing responsible government
Admission of new provinces
Westminster Act, 1931
In search of amending power
Early attempts
1978 Trudeau’s proposal
The Canada Act, 1982 The Constitution Act, 1982
Quebec’s refusal and subsequent negotiation
Meech Lake Accord (1987)
The Charlottetown Accord (1992)
Aftermath Enactment of Regional Veto Act, 1996
Recognition of Quebec as a distinct society
The Clarity Act of 1999
3 WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION CONSISTED WITH? : SOURCES OF CONSTITUTION
52.(1) of the Constitutional Act, 1982 The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law
of Canada, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.”
52.(2) The Constitution of Canada includes (a) the Canada Act 1982, including this Act; (b) the Acts and orders referred to in the
schedule; and (c) amendment to any Act or order referred to
in paragraph (a) or (b).
52.(3) “Amendments to the Constitution of Canada
shall be made only in accordance with the authority contained in the Constitution of Canada.”
The Constitution requires the special procedure for constitutional amendment.
The Constitution is entrenched.
Is there any unwritten Constitution?
What is the role of convention?
4 WHAT ARE THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION?
Reference re Secession of Quebec (1998) Federalism Democracy Constitutionalism and the rule of law Respect for minorities
Is there any peculiar characteristic with Constitution of Canada?