The Statute of Westminster & Constitution Act

WHAT IS A CONSTITUTION? A constitution provides the fundamental rules and principles that govern a country. It creates many of the institutions and branches of government, and defines their powers.1 The Canadian Constitution exists as a series of written documents, as well as a number of unwritten conventions and principles.

THE STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER (1931) Ratified by the British Parliament in 1931, the Statute of Westminster redefined the relationship of the Crown with the Dominions within the self-governing British Empire. The Statue formalized what was already happening in practice: The King could now only be advised by their respective prime minister regarding matters related to a particular dominion. The Statute of Westminster is regarded as the moment Canada achieved legislative autonomy from the United Kingdom. From this moment, the British Parliament could no longer pass laws affecting Canada.