As Canada developed further as a country, it grew in population and diversity. Eventually, it was believed that protections needed to be included in the Constitution level of law to protect that diversity – thus the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Resources to Support Learning for This Section:

• 150 years of data on Canadian immigration:
  • check for the rate of immigration as it varied through the years
  • identify the percentage of foreign-born population in early Canada vs more recent
  • recognize the gradual change in composition of where immigrants were arriving from
• Image – Statute of Westminster 1931 – Britain frees six British Dominions from control
• Archives: The Kitchen Accord – negotiating between PM and Premiers for the new Constitution Act
• Archives: Amending the Constitution Act in 1983 – Negotiating First Nations rights with the new Constitution Act was deferred/left until later. FN groups met with government leaders two years after the original discussions to negotiate their place, their rights and provisions within Canada.

• Parliament and the Courts: Balancing the Roles