Queen Elizabeth II Signs Canada Act and Ends Remaining Dependence of Canada on United Kingdom (1982)
On April 17, 1982, Queen Elizabeth II signed the Canada Act to end Canada’s legal dependence on the United Kingdom (UK). In particular, Queen Elizabeth II signed the Canada Act (or Constitution Act of 1982) on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada to make Canada a fully sovereign nation wholly independent of the UK.
The British ruled Canada for centuries as monarchy. Canada then came into existence as a separate county in 1867, but was still governed by the British in certain respects. Over time, the British continued to hold less control over Canada and the Canadian provinces debated on how to remove all legal ties from the British. Finally, the Canadian provinces created an agreement to remove legal ties with the British and the British agreed.
Then, on this day April 17, 1982, Queen Elizabeth II signed the Canada Act to grant full sovereignty to Canada. For the first time in Canada’s history, Canadians could amend their Constitution without approval from the British government – this is also known as "patriation."
However, the British Queen still acts as the dignitary Head of State of Canada. The Queen’s role as monarch of Canada is separate from her role as the British monarch and monarch of British Commonwealth nations. Still, there is a clear separation of roles in Canada between the Head of State (the British Queen) and the Head of Government (the Canadian Prime Minister). Canada’s Prime Minister holds the true political power in Canada and acts as an elected representative of Canada.
Today, Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a democratic parliament. Canada also has two official languages (English and French) and two systems of law: civil law and common law.