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Arpig -> RE: O Canada! What makes it special to you? (7/2/2011 10:25:13 AM)
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Close but not really. We didn't technically gain full independence from Great Britain until 1982. In 1867 we became a Dominion, effectively a self governing colony. We had full control of our internal affairs, but Britain still had substantial control of our external affairs, and the Parliament in London was the ultimate court of appeal. Our constitution was an act of the British Parliament, and therefore only they could alter it. When we made an amendment, it had to pass all the measures here, and then go to London to be officially amended.
I could go on to explain, if anybody is interested, the rest of the process of gradual devolution of powers from London to Ottawa, that led to the repatriation in 82. You'll note that phrase: repatriation of the constitution. That is because before we could make our own constitution, the parliament in Britain had to pass a motion assigning the BNA Act to the Canadian parliament, thereby allowing us to amend it in our Constitution Act. That process, whereby the BNA Act was sent to Canada, so to speak, is why it was called "repatriation" i.e. sending back it home.
ETA: they called REpatriation, because technically the BNA Act was passed in Charlottetown at the famous conference that led to confederation, then sent to the UK. so in 82, it was being sent "back".
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