The Road to Confederation and Governance · Term 3

Canada's Role in Space Exploration

Students learn about Canada's contributions to international space exploration and its scientific and technological impacts.

About This Topic

The British North America Act (now called the Constitution Act, 1867) is the founding legal document of Canada. It established the country as a federal dominion and, most importantly, divided powers between the federal government and the provincial governments (Sections 91 and 92). This division was a key compromise to ensure that provinces like Quebec could maintain control over local matters like education and culture, while the federal government handled national issues like defense and trade.

Students will also examine how the BNA Act failed to recognize the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, instead placing 'Indians and lands reserved for Indians' under federal control. This laid the groundwork for future colonial policies. This topic comes alive when students can analyze the 'to-do list' of each government level and see how these decisions still affect their lives today.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Power Sort

Groups are given a list of responsibilities (e.g., printing money, building hospitals, running post offices). They must use a simplified version of the BNA Act to sort them into 'Federal' or 'Provincial' categories.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Impact on Indigenous Rights

Students read Section 91(24) of the BNA Act. They discuss with a partner how it might feel to have a distant government make laws for your community without your input or consent.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Gallery Walk: The BNA Act in Pictures

Students look at historical photos of the first Parliament and the signing of the Act. They leave comments about what the images tell them about who held power in 1867.

⏱ 30 min·Individual

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The BNA Act made Canada completely independent from Britain.

What to Teach Instead

In 1867, Canada was still a 'dominion' and Britain still controlled our foreign policy and could change our constitution. A timeline showing the path to full independence (ending in 1982) helps students see the gradual process.

Common Misconception

The BNA Act was a treaty with Indigenous peoples.

What to Teach Instead

Indigenous peoples were not consulted on the BNA Act, and it was passed by the British Parliament without their consent. Comparing the BNA Act to a treaty like the Royal Proclamation can highlight this important difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the British North America Act?

It is the law passed by the British Parliament that created the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. It set out how the new country would be governed and how power would be shared between the federal and provincial governments.

How did the BNA Act divide power?

It gave the federal government power over things that affected the whole country, like the military and the postal service. It gave provincial governments power over local things, like schools, hospitals, and natural resources.

Why is the BNA Act called the Constitution Act today?

In 1982, Canada 'brought home' its constitution from Britain. At that time, the BNA Act was renamed the Constitution Act, 1867, to reflect that it is now a Canadian law that we can change ourselves.

How can active learning help students understand the BNA Act?

Active learning turns a dry legal document into a practical puzzle. By sorting government powers and discussing the real-world impact of those divisions, students understand the 'why' behind our system of government rather than just memorizing a list of facts.

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