What does the Constitutional Act of 1867 outline?

The Constitutional Act of 1867, originally known as the British North America Act, is a foundational document that established the framework for Canada's system of government. It outlines the structure and powers of various levels of government within Canada, including the federal and provincial governments.

The Act delineates responsibilities, jurisdiction, and the distribution of powers, setting the groundwork for Canada's parliamentary democracy. By creating a federal system, it defined how governance is shared between the national and provincial authorities, ensuring that both levels of government have clearly defined roles in relation to each other and to the citizens of Canada.

This critical piece of legislation does not delve into individual rights, criminal codes, or local agency regulations but instead focuses on the governance framework, which continues to underpin Canadian constitutional law and governance. This context highlights the importance of the distribution of powers among different governmental levels, a key concept in understanding Canadian federalism.