CONSTITUTION OF CANADA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 3

CONSTITUTION OF CANADA

Independent Amendment?

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) tl r> OT TAWA. January 19. *“ e Canadian Prime Minister Mr John Diefenbaker) said last night that he hoped it would be possible before long for Canada to amend its Constitution without reference to the British Parliament.

He made only a passing reference to the matter in beginning ms first major speech of this session of Parliament.

He said he hoped it would be nossible for the Federal and Provincial Governments to reach agreement on amendments to the Constitution—the British North America Act—without referring them to Westminster. The Canadian Federal State was established by an act of 1867. No provision was made in the act for amending it by any legislative authority in Canada but both Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures were given legislative jurisdiction with respect to some matters relating to government.

Parliament now may amend the act except with respect to the legislative authority of the provinces, the rights and privileges of Provincial Legislatures or Governments, schools, the use of the English or French language and duration of the Commons other than in the time of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection.