When Canada gained a proper constitution, it entered the modern world as itself, with a distinct identity. In the 1980s, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau sought to streamline the many documents that made up Canada's constitution and transfer the powers back to Canada; before then, Canada could not come up with a proper amendment formula for the document, so Britain housed it. Also, after the failed Quebec Separatist Referendum in 1980, Trudeau wanted to create a document that unified Canada. Trudeau sought to repatriate the constitution- allowing it to be changed without the input of the United Kingdom- so he could craft a document with the following: A charter of rights and freedoms, a set definition of what powers belonged to the Federal and Provincial governments, and resolve disputes in Canada, such as French/English relations in New Brunswick. However, the road to these promises proved tumultuous, regions just couldn't agree upon a constitution. Eventually, the Premiers agreed on a package, with Quebec's Rene Levesque being a notable absence. Trudeau's constitution for Canada did include details to iron the dry politics of the day, but most important was the inclusion of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. On April 17th, 1982, the Constitution Act was passed, giving Canada a constitution.
The impact of the Constitution is immense. It both created a basic framework for our nation's political system, but also enshrined our most fundamental beliefs into a cohesive document. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for example, protects everything that it means to be Canadian: Freedom of Speech, Language Freedoms, Freedom of Religion, Et Cetra. Section 27 of the Charter reads the following: "This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians". This showcases Canada's devotion to multiculturalism and the creation of a broad, pluralistic Canada. Canadians often have difficulty thinking of a national identity, but the constitution surely includes many values that are undeniably Canadian.
Queen Elizabeth signing Canada's Constitution:
Trudeau speaking on the day the constitution was signed: