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Date: 1980-08-13
By:
Citation:Preamble and Fundamental Aims of the Constitution (13 August 1980).
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Preamble and Fundamental Aims of the Constitution

WHEREAS THE PROVINCES OF Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan have expressed their desire to remain freely united in a Federation [under the Crown of Canada], with a Constitution similar in principle to the present Constitution; AND WHEREAS

CANADA is sovereign and independent among nations; AND WHEREAS

THE RENEWAL of the Federation would promote the freedom and well-being of Canadians

THE PARLIAMENT OF CANADA–

TO GUARANTEE the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians;

TO ENSURE that laws and political institutions are founded on the will and consent of the people;

TO ACHIEVE social justice, more equal economic opportunity and greater cultural security for all Canadians;

TO CONTRIBUTE to the attainment of these ends by all mankind —

PROCLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE CONSTITUTION OF CANADA, hereby adopted and henceforth to be amended in Canada by Canadians.

#2

Joint Resolution

– Begins:

WHEREAS THE PROVINCES of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan have expressed their desire to remain freely united in a Federation [under the Crown of Canada], with a Constitution similar in principle to the present Constitution; AND WHEREAS

CANADA is sovereign and independent among nations; AND WHEREAS

THE RENEWAL of the Federation would promote the freedom and well-being of Canadians

THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA in Parliament assembled, wishing —

TO GUARANTEE the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians;

TO ENSURE that laws and political institutions are founded on the will and consent of the people;

TO ACHIEVE social justice, more equal economic opportunity and greater cultural security for all Canadians;

TO CONTRIBUTE to the attainment of these ends by all mankind —

DESIRING THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF CANADA be adopted and henceforth be amendable solely in Canada and by Canadians

RESOLVE THAT: “A respectful address … etc.”

#3

Schedule

1. The British North America Act, 1867, as amended, is further amended by replacing the title “THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT, 1867” with the following – “THE CANADIAN CONSTITUTION ACT, 1981”, and by deleting all the words before Section 1. and replacing them with the following heading and preamble:

Preamble and Fundamental Aims of the Constitution

WHEREAS THE PROVINCES of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan have expressed their desire to remain freely united in a Federation [under the Crown of Canada], with a Constitution similar in principle to the present Constitution; AND WHEREAS

CANADA is sovereign and independent among nations; AND WHEREAS

THE RENEWAL of the Federation would promote the freedom and well-being of Canadians

THE FUNDAMENTAL AIMS OF THE CONSTITUTION SHALL BE:

TO GUARANTEE the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians;

TO ENSURE that laws and political institutions are founded on the will and consent of the people;

TO ACHIEVE social justice, more equal economic opportunity and greater cultural security for all Canadians;

AND

TO CONTRIBUTE to the attainment of these ends by all mankind.