Constitutional debate in Canada

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The Constitutional debate of Canada is an ongoing debate covering various political issues regarding the fundamental law of the country. The debate can be traced back to the Royal Proclamation, issued on October 7, 1763, following the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1763) wherein France ceded most of New France to Great Britain in favour of keeping Guadeloupe.

Since the enactment of the Constitution Act, 1867, which brought the Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia together as Canada, the debate has focused on these issues:

• The interpretation of the Constitution
• The division of powers between the federal and provincial governments
• The type of federalism to be applied within the federation
• The way the constitution should be amended
• The inclusion of specific civil rights in the constitution