The BNA Act (now called the Constitutional Law of 1867) is regarded as the basic document of the Canadian Constitution. Outlined by the Fathers of Confederation, the act was a basic constitutional settlement by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. English constitutional principles and institutions would continue to operate in all the provinces "under the name of Canada" much the same as they functioned in Great Britain. The most significant changes concerned the fundamental rights of Québec. Québec legislative courts were allowed to function in both French and English and the province was also given its own civil law and religion for the most part. All provinces were given exclusive legislative power over a number of issues. While the provinces were guaranteed certain rights and privileges, they were to remain federally united as a single Dominion, subject to the royal authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Queen Victoria gave Royal Assent to the act in 1867. The new government was sworn in and the senate was formed on July 1, now celebrated as Canada Day to commemorate the event.

Eleanor Milne’s sculptures deal with twelve facets of the monumental statute.

Sculpture © Eleanor Milne. All photographs by Ron Devries © Ron Devries.

	1. Taxation: Family (showing that "No one escapes," as Milne says) and federal governmental agencies receiving benefits as a result of the implementation of the income tax.
	2. Education: The institution, the education and the arts: the responsibility of each province.
	3. House of Commons: Milne displays the Government with 3 faces, looking forward, backward and sideways to govern.
	4. Language (Bilingual Stone): The two founding nations are represented by a falcon (England) and a dolphin (France) demonstrating the bilingual nature of Canada.
	5. Communications: Face to face, with printing press or satellite dish, highways and railways.
	6. Franchise or The Vote: See full description on Elections Canada website (external link).
	7. Freedom of Speech: Represented as female figure.
	8. Uniting Provinces or Confederation.
	9. Criminal Law: Inscribed "Veritas," Latin for the Truth.
	10. The Senate: The standing committee panel carved from Maurice Joanisse's design is signed by him. Eleanor Milne originally conceived the idea.
	11. Civil Law: Property and water rights, dog bites and traffic accidents.
	12. Governor General: The Speech from the Throne, the giving of honours and literary prizes.

EXTERNAL LINKS:
Canada's constitution, excerpted from Beyond Quebec: Taking Stock of Canada.
The Vote at Elections Canada.

Back to Constitutional Law of 1867 (BNA Act) Album page.
Back to Parliament Gallery.