The History of

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The History of Democracy in Canada
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Today, Canada is known for being a democratic,
multicultural country. But how did we get here?
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The Iroquois
-practiced own version of democracy -basic
values agreement and participation -The Great
Binding Law of the Iroquois Nation - had 117
clauses and rules -the tribes would elect chiefs
to make decisions
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Nova Scotia, 1758
-on October 2, 1758, the Canadian parliamentary
system in was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia -any
British, Protestant male who was over the age of
21 and owned property in Nova Scotia was allowed
to vote in the election
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Confederation
-four colonies formed Canada -throughout the
1800s, all of the current provinces joined the
Confederation (Newfoundland did not join Canada
until 1949)
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John A. Macdonald
-first Prime Minister of Canada -born in
Scotland, and immigrated to Kingston, Upper
Canada at 5 years old -lawyer, and owned law
offices in Kingston and Napanee -helped write BNA
Act, which declared Canada as a democratic nation
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John A. Macdonald
FUN FACTS! -Macdonald was known as a
nation-builder and as a founding father of
Canadian democracy and responsible government -he
was also an extremely heavy drinker and was once
found naked, rolled up in a carpet and quoting
Hamlet -he also threw up on Governor Generals
daughter ?
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The Constitution, 1867
-outlines Canadas first system of government
breaks down the division of power of each branch
of government -originally called the BNA Act,
was renamed after Confederation
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The Constitution, 1982
-made several amendments to the Constitution from
1867 -emphasis on rights and freedoms -the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms makes up
the first 35 sections it guarantees every
Canadian certain rights
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The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
-only civil rights in the Constitution -came
into effect on April 17, 1982 -gives every
citizen of Canada protection from discrimination,
arrest without cause and many more -guarantees
rights such as the right to make a living, to
vote, and to speak either of out official
languages