Document Information

Date: 2023-07-11 [Updated 2025-08-08]
By: PrimaryDocuments.ca
Citation: PrimaryDocuments.ca, Section 31, Legislative Powers Not Extended: Compilation of primary documents to assist in interpreting the public meaning of Section 31 of the Constitution Act, 1982, Second Ed. (August 2025).
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).
Please Note: Due to recent discoveries of new Charter drafts (which will be published in an upcoming academic paper and are available on our site), users are advised to consult this table, which has an up-to-date drafting history for Section 31. This table replaces the drafting history found below in this report. 

The PDF and HTML below will not always align. The PDF serves as a record in time, whereas the HTML will constantly be updated. The PDF will be updated occasionally and all former versions of the report will be available for download when a new version is uploaded. For now, the PDF contains the original version of the report.

SECTION 31

Legislative Powers Not Extended

Compilation of primary documents to assist in interpreting the public meaning of Section 31 of the Constitution Act, 1982

Second Edition

August, 2025

The Constitution Act, 1982

Part I. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

General

Legislative powers not extended

Section 31 Nothing in this Charter extends the legislative powers of any body or authority.

PART 1:

Drafting History of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Pertaining to Section 31’s Public Meaning

Drafts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

October 17, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (October 22-23, 1979)
November 5, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Meeting of Officials on the Constitution (November 15-16, 1979)
July 4, 1980: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Discussion Draft (July 8-11, 1980)
July 4, 1980: Comité Permanent des Ministres sur la Constitution, Droits et Libertés à l’Interieur de la Fédération Canadienne, Document de Travail (July 8-11, 1980)
July 16, 1980: Revised Discussion Draft with Memo re Section 1 (July 18, 1980)
August 5, 1980: Revised Discussion Draft with Memo (August 5, 1980)
August 8, 1980: Formalities to Bill: Joint Resolution (August 8, 1980)
August 22, 1980: Discussion Draft (Federal) (August 26-29, 1980)
August 28, 1980: Provincial Proposal (In the event that there is going to be entrenchment) (August 26-29, 1980)
September 3, 1980: Revised Discussion Draft (September 8-12, 1980)
September 3, 1980 : Conference Fédérale-Provinciale des Premiers Ministres, Document de Travail, Charte Canadienne des Droits et Libertés (September 3, 1980)
September 24, 1980: Resolution for joint address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the constitution of Canada (September 24, 1980)
October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada with Handwritten Notes [Draft, Version1] (October 2, 1980)
October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada with Handwritten Notes [Draft, Version 2] (October 2, 1980)
October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada

Statutes and International Agreements:

1978: Bill C-60: An Act to amend the Constitution of Canada

[This section is incomplete]

—————o0o—————

Drafts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

October 17, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (October 22-23, 1979)

20. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative authority on any competent body or authority in that behalf in Canada, except as expressly contemplated by this Charter.

(Source: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation Federal Draft , [October 17, 1979] (Halifax: 22-23 October, 1979). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

November 5, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Meeting of Officials on the Constitution (November 15-16, 1979)

20. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative authority on any competent body or authority in that behalf in Canada, except as expressly contemplated by this Charter.

(Source: Meeting of Officials on the Constitution, Rights & Freedoms within Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, [November 5, 1979], Doc 840-177/005 (Toronto: 15-16 November, 1979). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

July 4, 1980: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Discussion Draft

21. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative authority on any competent body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Meeting of the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Discussion Draft. Tabled by the Delegation of the Government of Canada, 4 July 1980, Doc 830-81/027 (Montreal: 8-11 July 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

July 16, 1980: Revised Discussion Draft with Memo re Section 1

21. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative authority on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Memo from Fred Jordan to Roger Tassé re Charter of Rights – Possible Modifications [with Possible Alternatives to Section 1 of July 4, 1980 Draft & Revised Discussion Draft (16 July 1980)] (18 July 1980). This text is found on p. 2. Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

August 5, 1980: Revised Discussion Draft with Memo 

21. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative authority on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Memo from Deputy Minister of Justice to Prime Minister, Charter of Rights incl. Discussion Draft, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (5 August 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

August 8, 1980: Formalities to Bill: Joint Resolution

21. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative authority on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Canada, Formalities to Bill, Draft Joint Resolution, An Act to Amend the Constitution of Canada (8 August 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

August 22, 1980: Discussion Draft (Federal)

29. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative power on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Discussion Draft [Federal], (August 22, 1980), Doc 830-84/004 (Ottawa: 26-29 August 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

August 28, 1980: Provincial Proposal (In the event that there is going to be entrenchment)

29. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative power on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Provincial Proposal: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (August 28, 1980), Doc 830-84/031 (Ottawa: 26-29 August, 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

September 3, 1980: Revised Discussion Draft

27. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative power on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Federal-Provincial First Ministers’ Conference, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Revised Discussion Draft, Federal, [September 3, 1980] Doc 800-14/064 (Ottawa: 8-12 September 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

September 24, 1980: Resolution for joint address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the constitution of Canada

27. Nothing in this Charter confers any legislative power on any body or authority except as expressly provided by this Charter.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, DRAFT, “Resolution for joint address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the constitution of Canada” (24 September 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada with Handwritten Notes [Draft, Version1]

28. Nothing in this Charter extends the legislative powers of any body or authority.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, DRAFT, Proposed Resolution for Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen Respecting the Constitution of Canada, Version 1 (2 October 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada with Handwritten Notes [Draft, Version 2]

28. Nothing in this Charter extends the legislative powers of any body or authority.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, DRAFT, Proposed Resolution for Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen Respecting the Constitution of Canada, Version 2 with Handwritten Notes (2 October 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada

28. Nothing in this Charter extends the legislative powers of any body or authority.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, “Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada” in Sessional Papers (1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

French

July 4, 1980: Comité Permanent des Ministres sur la Constitution, Droits et Libertés à l’Interieur de la Fédération Canadienne, Document de Travail

21. La présente Charte ne confère aux organes législatifs du Canada aucun pouvoir législatif autre que ceux qu’elle prévoit expressément.

(Source: Comité Permanent des Ministres sur la Constitution, Droits et Libertés à l’Interieur de la Fédération Canadienne, Document de Travail, Doc: 830-81/027 (Montréal: 8-11 juillet 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

September 3, 1980 : Conference Fédérale-Provinciale des Premiers Ministres, Document de Travail, Charte Canadienne des Droits et Libertés

27. La présente Charte ne confère aucun pouvoir législatif autre que ceux qu’elle prévoit expressément.

(Source: Conference Fédérale-Provinciale des Premiers Ministres, Document de Travail, Charte Canadienne des Droits et Libertés (3 septembre 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

September 24, 1980: Resolution for joint address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the constitution of Canada

27. La présente charte ne confère à aucun organisme des compétences législatives autres que celles qui y sont expressément prévues.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, DRAFT, “Resolution for joint address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the constitution of Canada” (24 September 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada with Handwritten Notes [Draft, Version1]

28. La présente charte n’élargit pas les compétences législatives de quelque organisme ou autorité que ce soit.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, DRAFT, Proposed Resolution for Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen Respecting the Constitution of Canada, Version 1 (2 October 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada with Handwritten Notes [Draft, Version 2]

28. La présente charte n’élargit pas les compétences législatives de quelque organisme ou autorité que ce soit.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, DRAFT, Proposed Resolution for Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen Respecting the Constitution of Canada, Version 2 with Handwritten Notes (2 October 1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada

28. La présente charte n’élargit pas les compétences législatives de quelque organisme ou autorité que ce soit.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, “Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada” in Sessional Papers (1980). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

Statutes and International Agreements

June 20, 1978: Bill C-60: An Act to amend the Constitution of Canada

29. Nothing in this Charter shall be held to confer any legislative authority on any competent body or authority in that behalf in Canada, except as expressly contemplated by this Charter.

(Source: Bill C-60, An Act to amend the Constitution of Canada with respect to matters coming within the legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada, and to approve and authorize the taking of measures necessary for the amendment of the Constitution with respect to certain other matters, 3rd Sess, 30th Parl, SC, 1978 (June 20, 1978). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

Previous Versions of this Report: [Version 1]