Miscellaneous Documents

Copyright 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 William F. Maton

The following documents are of historical, as well as in some cases, legal interest.

• The Quebec Resolutions of 1864
  • The first blueprint for a federal union between the British North American colonies.

• Colonial Laws Validity Act, 1865
  • Gave the United Kingdom Parliament the power to over-ride any conflicting colonial laws.
  • Repealed by the Statute of Westminster.

• London Resolutions of 1866
  • A refinement of the earlier Quebec Resolutions of 1864.

• Manitoba Boundaries Extension Act, 1881
  • Extended the boundaries of the province of Manitoba.
  • This effectively replaced section 1 of the Manitoba Act, 1870.

• The Quebec Boundary Extension Act, 1912
  • Extended the boundaries of the province of Quebec to their present-day limits.

• The Quebec Boundary Extension Act Amendment, 1946.
  • Included the populations of the territories added to Quebec by the Quebec Boundary Extension Act, 1912, to be counted in the decennial census for adjustment of representation in the House of Commons.

• The Executive Council Act, R.S.O. 1990
  • This Act defines the composition of the Ontario Cabinet and their salaries.
  • Replaces in practice section 63 of the Constitution Act, 1867.

• Quebec's French-only sign law (Bill 178), which invoked the Charter's "notwithstanding clause" (section 33), available here in French and English.

• The Motion to declare Quebec a Distinct Society, as passed by the House of Commons.

• Bill C-110, 1995, amended
  • A Federal, self-imposed amending formula.
  • An amended version of the bill, which now gives British Columbia a veto.
  • Passed by the House of Commons, 13 December, 1995.
  • Again, only legally binding on Parliament.