Wellington Centre was a federal electoral district represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1867 to 1904. It was located in the province of Ontario .
68-667: It was created by the British North America Act of 1867 , which divided the County of Wellington, divided into North, South and Centre Ridings. The Centre Riding consisted of the Townships of Anson, Garrafraxa, Erin, Eramosa, Nichol, and Pilkington, and the Villages of Fergus and Elora. In 1872, it was defined to consist of the Townships of Pilkington, Elora, Nichol, Fergus, Garrafraxa West, Garrafraxa East, Peel and
136-741: A preamble declaring that the three provinces New Brunswick , Nova Scotia , and the Province of Canada (which later became Ontario and Quebec ) have requested to form "one Dominion ...with a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom ". This description of the Constitution has proven important in its interpretation. As Peter Hogg wrote in Constitutional Law of Canada , some have argued that, since
204-681: A free and self-governing people", the Charter was not going to have a preamble. The current preamble only first appeared in the April 1981 draft, which came relatively late in the process. It was included despite the fact there was no call for the Charter to have a preamble by the Special Joint Committee which was reviewing the Constitution, and that according to George Egerton, then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau , called it "strange" that some of his colleagues wanted God referenced in
272-586: A petition created by members of Humanist Canada in the House of Commons that the reference to God be struck from the preamble, citing concerns about Canada's diversity and those Canadians who did not believe in God. The proposal was controversial and the party responded by undermining Robinson's responsibilities and his position in the caucus. The preamble has proved valuable to some groups and political parties. The Christian Heritage Party of Canada , for example, quoted
340-419: A preamble are limited in some direct applications of the law but can help to determine how other sections of the Charter should be read and applied. In this particular case, however, Hogg expressed concern as to how much help this preamble could be, noting the term "rule of law" is "notoriously vague" and that the mention of the "supremacy of God" can be considered in some contexts as contrary to section 2 of
408-793: Is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen ". In section 10, the Governor General or an administrator of the government , is designated as "carrying on the Government of Canada on behalf and in the Name of the Queen". Section 11 creates the King's Privy Council for Canada . Section 12 states that the statutory powers of the executives of the former provinces of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick continue to exist, until modified by subsequent legislation. To
476-664: Is in a delimited federal competency like those listed under section 91 (see e.g. AG Canada v AG Ontario (Labour Conventions) , [1937] AC 326 (PC)). In 2019, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal sided with the federal government in a 3–2 split on the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act , allowing an expansion of the federal government's taxation power over the provinces in the wake of the climate change crisis, concurrently as Parliament joined with other national legislatures in declaring that
544-820: The British North America Act, 1867 ( BNA Act ), is a major part of the Constitution of Canada . The act created a federal dominion and defines much of the operation of the Government of Canada , including its federal structure , the House of Commons , the Senate , the justice system , and the taxation system. In 1982, with the patriation of the Constitution, the British North America Acts which were originally enacted by
612-482: The Manitoba Act ) might be a threat to the rule of law. This would render Manitoba nearly lawless, and the principle of the rule of law was defined as meaning no one is above the law and that laws must exist, as they uphold society's values. The court therefore confirmed the Charter 's preamble's importance by stating, "The constitutional status of the rule of law is beyond question." Consequently, some time
680-527: The Alberta Court of Appeal , Justice Belzil, wrote that the preamble to the Charter indicated Canada had a Christian heritage and thus courts should not use the section 2 right to freedom of religion to eliminate traditions of this heritage. After one version of the Charter drawn in June 1980 that lasted until September, which said in its preamble that Canadians "shall always be, with the help of God,
748-715: The British Parliament , including this Act, were renamed. 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." The act begins with
SECTION 10
#1732772386458816-492: The Charter , which protects freedom of conscience , which Hogg felt would include a right to atheism . In R v Morgentaler (1988), Justice Bertha Wilson defined freedom of conscience as protecting "conscientious beliefs which are not religiously motivated", and balanced the preamble out with the statement that "the values entrenched in the Charter are those which characterize a free and democratic society". In considering
884-594: The Charter . (Trudeau told his MPs, "I don't think God gives a damn whether he's in the constitution or not.") However, there were various religious and Conservative criticisms of the Charter during its drafting, with fears that denominational schools and Canada's abortion law were threatened. Also at this time, religious groups in Canada such as "100 Huntley Street" and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada were growing and wanted God acknowledged in
952-663: The Governor General in Council as the governor general acting with the advice of the Privy Council. Section 14 allows the Governor General to appoint deputies to exercise their powers in various parts of Canada. The Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces in Canada continues to be vested in the King under Section 15. Section 16 declares Ottawa to be the seat of government for Canada. The Parliament of Canada comprises
1020-604: The Maritime Provinces and the Western Provinces (at the time of the Union, there were 72 senators). Section 23 lays out the qualifications to become a senator. Senators are appointed by the governor general under Section 24 (which until the 1929 judicial decision in Edwards v Canada (AG) was interpreted as excluding women), and the first group of senators was proclaimed under section 25. Section 26 allows
1088-506: The exclusive jurisdiction of a section 96 court. To validate the jurisdiction of a federal or provincial tribunal it must satisfy a three-step inquiry first outlined in Reference Re Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario) . The tribunal must not touch upon what was historically intended as the jurisdiction of the superior court. The first stage of inquiry considers what matters were typically exclusive to
1156-589: The seats of government of the first four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick), but also allows those provinces to change their seats of government. Sections 69 and 70 establishes the Legislature of Ontario, comprising the lieutenant governor and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario , and Sections 71 to 80 establishes the Parliament of Quebec , which at the time comprised
1224-600: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms The preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the introductory sentence to the Constitution of Canada 's Charter of Rights and Constitution Act, 1982 . In full, it reads, "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law ". Writing in 1982, when the Charter came into force, constitutional scholar Peter Hogg noted that these words, being
1292-538: The Commons under Section 53 and must be proposed by the governor general (i.e. the government) under section 54. Sections 55, 56, and 57 allow the governor general to assent to in the Queen's name, withhold assent to or "reserve" for the "signification of the Queen's pleasure" any bill passed by both houses. Within two years of the governor general's royal assent to a bill, the Queen-in-Council may disallow
1360-511: The Commons, under Section 37, consists of 308 members : 106 for Ontario, 75 for Quebec, 11 for Nova Scotia, 10 for New Brunswick, 14 for Manitoba, 36 for British Columbia, 4 for Prince Edward Island, 28 for Alberta, 14 for Saskatchewan, 7 for Newfoundland and Labrador, 1 for Yukon, 1 for the Northwest Territories, and 1 for Nunavut. The House is summoned by the governor general under Section 38. Section 39 forbids senators to sit in
1428-407: The Commons. Section 41 divides the provinces in electoral districts and Section 41 continues electoral laws and voting qualifications of the time, subject to revision. Section 44 allows the house to elect its own speaker and allows the House to replace the speaker in the case of death (Section 45) or prolonged absence (47). A speaker is required to preside at all sittings of the House (46). Quorum for
SECTION 20
#17327723864581496-654: The Constitution. Despite the Liberal Party of Canada 's protests that a better preamble could be written after patriation was achieved and that therefore there was no need for the preamble being proposed at the time by the Conservatives, religious groups increased their activism. Trudeau's justice minister, Jean Chrétien , said it was the top issue in all of the letters the government was sent during patriation. The preamble has been politically controversial: in 1999, New Democratic MP Svend Robinson , presented
1564-637: The Crown to add four or eight senators at a time to the Senate, divided among the divisions, but according to section 27 no more senators can then be appointed until, by death or retirement, the number of senators drops below the regular limit of 24 per division. The maximum number of senators was set at 113, in Section 28. Senators are appointed for life (meaning until age 75 since 1965), under Section 29, though they can resign under Section 30 and can be removed under
1632-563: The Crown and the Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes basin together in a familial relationship, a relationship that exists to this day, exemplified by First Nations attendance at the coronation of King Charles III . Treaty rights would be incorporated into the 1982 Constitution. Section 91(27) gives Parliament the power to make law related to the "criminal law, except the constitution of courts of criminal jurisdiction, but including
1700-462: The God-clause is that it runs into an impossible dilemma, given the actual content of the Charter itself. More specifically, what it claims is either meaningless (and therefore worthless), or it has real meaning, in which case it strikes a blow against the very principles that the Charter is in place to protect (in which case it is pernicious)". In R v Big M Drug Mart Ltd , a dissenting judge on
1768-576: The Indians". Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), formerly known as Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), has been the main federal organization exercising this authority. This empowered the Canadian government to act as if the treaties between the Indigenous peoples and the British Crown preceding Confederation did not exist. The Treaty of Niagara of 1764 bound
1836-502: The King and two chambers (the House of Commons of Canada and the Senate of Canada ), as created by section 17. Section 18 defines its powers and privileges as being no greater than those of the British parliament . Section 19 states that Parliament's first session must begin six months after the passage of the act. The Senate has 105 senators (Section 21), most of whom represent (Section 22) one of four equal divisions: Ontario, Quebec,
1904-517: The National Assembly of Quebec. All federal and Quebec laws must be enacted in both languages, and both language versions have equal authority. Section 146 allows the federal government to negotiate the entry of new provinces into the Union without the need to seek the permission of the existing provinces. Section 147 establishes that Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland would have 4 senators upon joining Confederation. Preamble to
1972-515: The North American British "Provinces" (colonies) of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Section 3 established that the union would take effect within six months of passage of the act and Section 4 confirmed "Canada" as the name of the country (and the word "Canada" in the rest of the act refers to the new federation and not the old province). Section 5 listed the four provinces of the new federation. Those were formed by dividing
2040-503: The Provincial Provinces power over the competency of education, but there are significant restrictions designed to protect minority religious rights. This is due that it was created during a time when there was a significant controversy between Protestants and Catholics in Canada over whether schools should be parochial or non-denominational. Section 93(2) specifically extends all pre-existing denominational school rights into
2108-606: The United Kingdom had some freedom of expression in 1867, the preamble extended this right to Canada even before the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982; this was a supposed basis for the Implied Bill of Rights . In New Brunswick Broadcasting Co. v. Nova Scotia , the leading Canadian case on parliamentary privilege, the Supreme Court of Canada grounded its 1993 decision on
Wellington Centre - Misplaced Pages Continue
2176-564: The United Kingdom. Section 96 authorizes the federal government to appoint judges for "the Superior, District, and County Courts in each Province". No provinces have district or county courts anymore, but all provinces have superior courts. Although the provinces pay for these courts and determine their jurisdiction and procedural rules, the federal government appoints and pays their judges. Historically, this section has been interpreted as providing superior courts of inherent jurisdiction with
2244-478: The Village of Orangeville. In 1882, the township Maryboro' was added to the riding. The electoral district was abolished in 1903 when it was redistributed between Dufferin , Wellington North and Wellington South ridings. British North America Act of 1867 [REDACTED] Canada portal The Constitution Act, 1867 ( French : Loi constitutionnelle de 1867 ), originally enacted as
2312-478: The act is not the Constitution of Canada's only preamble. The Charter also has a preamble . Part I consists of just one extant section. Section 1 gives the short title of the act as Constitution Act, 1867 . Section 2 , repealed in 1893, originally stated that all references to the Queen (then Victoria ) equally apply to all her heirs and successors. The act established the Dominion of Canada by uniting
2380-459: The act; and within two years of the governor general's reservation, the Queen-in-Council may assent to the bill. The basic governing structures of the provinces are laid out in Part V of the act. (Specific mentions are made to the four founding provinces, but the general pattern holds for all the provinces.) Each province must have a lieutenant governor ( Section 58 ), who serves at the pleasure of
2448-673: The administration of justice which is founded upon a belief in 'the dignity and worth of the human person' (preamble to the Canadian Bill of Rights, R.S.C. 1970, App. III) and on "the rule of law" (preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms )." Some theologians and philosophers have questioned whether the preamble refers to a specific God (the Christian God or Jewish God) or to a more abstract concept that promotes civic virtue (i.e., civil religion ). For instance, Paul Russell has stated that "The basic problem with
2516-574: The better Administration of the Laws of Canada". Section 92(14) gives the provincial legislatures the power over the "Constitution, Maintenance, and Organization of Provincial Courts, both of Civil and of Criminal Jurisdiction". This power includes the creation of both the superior courts , both of original jurisdiction and appeal, as well as inferior tribunals. Superior courts are known as "courts of inherent jurisdiction", as they receive their constitutional authority from historical convention inherited from
2584-702: The better Administration of the Laws of Canada". Parliament has used this power to create the Supreme Court of Canada and lower federal courts. It has created the Supreme Court under both branches of s. 101. The lower federal courts, such as the Federal Court of Appeal , the Federal Court , the Tax Court of Canada and the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada are all created under the second branch, i.e. as "additional Courts for
2652-423: The constitutional authority to hear cases. The "section 96 courts" are typically characterized as the "anchor" of the justice system around which the other courts must conform. As their jurisdiction is said to be "inherent", the courts have the authority to try all matters of law except where the jurisdiction has been taken away by another court. However, courts created by the federal government under section 101 or by
2720-414: The court at the time of Confederation in 1867. In Sobeys Stores Ltd. v. Yeomans (1989) the Supreme Court stated that the "nature of the disputes" historically heard by the superior courts, not just the historical remedies provided, must be read broadly. If the tribunal is found to intrude on the historical jurisdiction of the superior court, the inquiry must turn to the second stage which considers whether
2788-445: The extent those pre-Confederation statutory powers now came within provincial jurisdiction, they could be exercised by the lieutenant governors of the provinces, either alone or by the advice of the provincial executive councils. To the extent the pre-Confederation statutory powers now came within federal jurisdiction, they could be exercised by the Governor General, either with the advice of the Privy Council or alone. Section 13 defines
Wellington Centre - Misplaced Pages Continue
2856-530: The federal Divorce Act is valid legislation, even though the Divorce Act has some incidental effects on child custody , which is usually considered to be within the provincial jurisdictions of "civil rights" (s. 92(13)) and "matters of a private nature" (s. 92(16)). Section 92(10) allows the federal government to declare any "works or undertakings" to be of national importance, and thereby remove them from provincial jurisdiction. Sections 93 and 93A give
2924-572: The federal Parliament the legislative power to implement treaties entered to by the British government on behalf of the Empire. With the acquisition of full sovereignty by Canada, this provision has limited effect. Section 133 establishes English and French as the official languages of the Parliament of Canada and the Legislature of Quebec. Either language can be used in the federal Parliament and
2992-419: The federal and provincial governments share power over agriculture and immigration. Either order of government can make laws in this area, but in the case of a conflict, federal law prevails. The authority over the judicial system in Canada is divided between Parliament and the provincial Legislatures. Section 101 gives Parliament power to create a "general court of appeal for Canada" and "additional Courts for
3060-422: The federal government is liable for the debts of the provinces (Sections 111–116). It establishes the tradition of the federal government supporting the provinces through fiscal transfers (Section 119). It creates a customs union which prohibits internal tariffs between the provinces ( Sections 121 –124). Section 125 prevents one order of government from taxing the lands or assets of the other. Section 132 gives
3128-433: The federal government power over divorce and marriage. On this basis, Parliament can legislate on the substantive law of marriage and divorce. However, the provinces have power over the procedural law governing the solemnization of marriage (section 92(12)). There are also several instances of overlap in laws relating to marriage and divorce, which in most cases is solved through interjurisdictional immunity . For instance,
3196-431: The former Province of Canada into two: its two subdivisions, Canada West and Canada East , renamed Ontario and Quebec , respectively, become full provinces in Section 6. Section 7 confirmed that the boundaries of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are not changed. And Section 8 provided that a national census of all provinces must be held every ten years. Section 9 confirms that all executive authority "of and over Canada
3264-420: The function of the tribunal and whether it operates as an adjudicative body. The final step assesses the context of the tribunal's exercise of power and looks to see if there are any further considerations to justify its encroachment upon the superior court's jurisdiction. Not all courts and tribunals have jurisdiction to hear constitutional challenges. The court, at the very least, must have jurisdiction to apply
3332-455: The governor general (Section 59), whose salary is paid by the federal parliament (Section 60), and who must swear the oath of allegiance (Section 61). The powers of a lieutenant governor can be substituted for by an administrator of government (Sections 62 and 66). All provinces also have an executive council (Sections 63 and 64). The lieutenant governor can exercise executive power alone or " in council " (Section 65). Section 68 establishes
3400-458: The house is set at 20 members, including the speaker by Section 48. Section 49 says that the speaker cannot vote except in the case of a tied vote. The maximum term for a house is five years between elections under Section 50. Section 51 sets out the rules by which Commons seats are to be redistributed following censuses, allowing for more seats to be added by section 52. " Money bills " (dealing with taxes or appropriation of funds) must originate in
3468-401: The law. In N.S. v. Martin; N.S. v. Laseur (2003) the Supreme Court re-articulated the test for constitutional jurisdiction from Cooper v. Canada . The inquiry must begin by determining whether the enabling legislation gives explicit authority to apply the law. If so, then the court may apply the constitution. The second line of inquiry looks into whether there was implied authority to apply
SECTION 50
#17327723864583536-401: The law. This can be found by examining the text of the act, its context, and the general nature and characteristics of the adjudicative body. See Section Twenty-four of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for the jurisdiction of the Charter . This Part lays out the financial functioning of the government of Canada and the provincial governments. It establishes a fiscal union where
3604-687: The legal implications of the preamble in the 1999 case R v Sharpe , the British Columbia Court of Appeal referred to it as a " dead letter " which the BC justices had "no authority to breathe life" into. The Supreme Court did consider the preamble's mention of the rule of law in Reference Re Manitoba Language Rights (1985), noting that striking down most of Manitoba's laws as unconstitutional (because they were not enacted in both languages as required by
3672-665: The lieutenant governor, the Legislative Assembly of Quebec (renamed in 1968 to the National Assembly of Quebec ), and the Legislative Council of Quebec (since abolished). The legislatures are summoned by the Lieutenant Governors (Section 82). Section 83 prohibits provincial civil servants (excluding cabinet ministers) from sitting in the provincial legislatures. Section 84 allows for existing election laws and voting requirements to continue after
3740-454: The nation was in a " climate emergency " on 17 June. In Grant Huscroft 's dissenting opinion on the Court of Appeal for Ontario , he provides that "counsel for Canada conceded that the act was not passed on the basis that climate change constitutes an emergency". Section 91(24) of the act provides that the federal government has the legislative jurisdiction for "Indians and lands reserved for
3808-505: The peace, order, and good government of Canada, in relation to all matters not coming within the classes of subjects by this Act assigned exclusively to the Legislatures of the provinces". Although the text of the act appears to give Parliament residuary powers to enact laws in any area that has not been allocated to the provincial governments , subsequent Privy Council jurisprudence held that the "peace, order, and good government" power
3876-509: The post-Confederation era. Section 94 allows for the provinces that use the British-derived common law system, in effect all but Quebec, to unify their property and civil rights laws. This power has never been used. Under Section 94A, the federal and provincial governments share power over Old Age Pensions. Either order of government can make laws in this area, but in the case of a conflict, provincial law prevails. Under Section 95,
3944-493: The preamble on the main page of their website, and the party called itself "Canada's only pro-Life , pro-family federal political party, and the only federal party that endorses the principles of the Preamble to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms ". The words "principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law" also appear in the party's official policies regarding what they feel all laws should be based upon, and
4012-549: The preamble. Moreover, since the UK had a tradition of judicial independence , the Supreme Court ruled in the Provincial Judges Reference of 1997 that the preamble shows judicial independence in Canada is constitutionally guaranteed. Political scientist Rand Dyck criticized the preamble in 2000, saying it was "seriously out of date". He claimed the act "lacks an inspirational introduction". The preamble to
4080-475: The procedure in criminal matters". It was on this authority that Parliament enacted and amends the Criminal Code . However, under section 92(14), the provinces are delegated the power to administer justice, "including the constitution, maintenance, and organization of provincial courts, both of civil and criminal jurisdictions, and including procedure in civil matters in both courts". This provision allows
4148-568: The provinces powers over the "prisons". This means that offenders sentenced to two years or more go to federal penitentiaries while those with lighter sentences go to provincial prisons. Section 92(13) gives the Provinces the exclusive power to make law related to " property and civil rights in the province". In practice, this power has been read broadly to give the provinces authority over numerous matters such as professional trades, labour relations , and consumer protection. Section 91(26) gives
SECTION 60
#17327723864584216-548: The provinces to create the courts of criminal jurisdiction and to create provincial police forces such as the OPP and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) . As a matter of policy dating back to Confederation, the federal government has delegated the prosecutorial function for almost all criminal offences to the provincial Attorneys General. Crown Prosecutors appointed under provincial law thus prosecute almost all Criminal Code offences across Canada. Section 91(28) gives Parliament exclusive power over "penitentiaries" while section 92(6) gives
4284-462: The provincial government under 92(14) are generally not allowed to intrude on the core jurisdiction of a section 96 court. The scope of the core jurisdiction of section 96 courts has been a matter of considerable debate and litigation. When commencing litigation a court's jurisdiction may be challenged on the basis that it does not have jurisdiction. The issue is typically whether the statutory court created under section 101 or 92(14) has encroached upon
4352-427: The provisions regarding money votes, royal assent, reservation and disallowance, as established for the federal Parliament to the provincial legislatures but with the governor general in the role of the Queen-in-Council. The powers of government are divided between the provinces and the federal government and are described in sections 91 to 95 of the act. Sections 91 and 92 are of particular importance, as they enumerate
4420-666: The subjects for which each jurisdiction can enact a law, with section 91 listing matters of federal jurisdiction and section 92 listing matters of provincial jurisdiction. Sections 92A and 93 and 93A are concerned with non-renewable natural resources and education, respectively (both are primarily provincial responsibilities). Section 94 leaves open a possible change to laws regarding property and civil rights , which so far has not been realized. Sections 94A and 95, meanwhile, address matters of shared jurisdiction, namely old age pensions (section 94A) and agriculture and immigration (section 95). Section 91 authorizes Parliament to "make laws for
4488-428: The terms of section 31, in which case the vacancy can be filled by the governor general (Section 32). Section 33 gives the Senate the power to rule on its own disputes over eligibility and vacancy. The speaker of the Senate is appointed and dismissed by governor general under Section 34. Quorum for the Senate is (initially) set at 15 senators by Section 35, and voting procedures are set by Section 36. The composition of
4556-439: The union. Section 85 sets the life of each legislature as no more than four years, with a session at least once every twelve months under Section 86. Section 87 extends the rules regarding speakers, by-elections, quorum, etc., as set for the federal House of Commons to the legislatures of Ontario and Quebec. Section 88 simply extends the pre-union constitutions of those provinces into the post-Confederation era. Section 90 extends
4624-404: Was given before the unconstitutional laws would expire. In Re BC Motor Vehicle Act (1985), the Supreme Court also linked the rule of law to the principles of fundamental justice , as illustrated by sections 8 to 14 of the Charter . The court noted the importance of these rights to the justice system, stating that sections 8 to 14 "have been recognized as essential elements of a system for
#457542