British North America Act served as the main written part of Canada’s constitution from 1867 until 1982. The Constitution Act of 1982 replaced it as the basic governing document of Canada.
The British Parliament passed the British North America Act in March 1867 to provide for the formation of the Dominion of Canada. The act took effect on July 1, 1867 and united the three British colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada. Under the act, these colonies became four provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. The act divided the colony of Canada to create Ontario and Quebec.
The British North America Act established a federal union with a strong central government and limited provincial governments. Generally, the dominion government had the power to deal with matters of national interest. Each provincial government handled education, health, natural resources, and other local affairs.
The British Parliament amended the British North America Act many times. Canada won its independence from the United Kingdom in 1931, but amendments to the British North America Act continued to require British approval. This requirement finally ended when the British Parliament accepted Canadian proposals for a revised constitution and passed the Constitution Act of 1982. As a result of this act, the British North America Act was renamed the Constitution Act of 1867.
