Canada’s constitution was signed by Queen Elizabeth in 1982. Why was this important? The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution Act of 1982. Before 1982, Canada’s constitution was called the British North America Act of 1867. It could not be changed without the approval of British Parliament. When the Constitution Act of 1982 was signed by Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, it was patriated. Many commonly describe this as bringing the constitution home.

Photo Credit: Robert Cooper / Library and Archives Canada / e008300499

How do you think the repatriation of the constitution affected views of citizenship?