Everything Everywhere Daily The Canadian Parliament
Jan 7, 2025
Discover the fascinating intricacies of the Canadian parliamentary system and how it stands apart from its North American neighbors. Explore Canada's rich democratic history, including the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy and uprisings for representation. Learn about the evolution of Parliament since the 1839 Durham Report and the establishment of the Dominion in 1867. Uncover the unique mechanisms that allow for leadership changes without elections and the vital role of confidence votes in shaping political dynamics.
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Iroquois Confederacy: Early Democracy
- The Iroquois Confederacy, or Six Nations, represents one of the world's oldest participatory democracies.
- Their Great Law of Peace constitution, predating European contact, enshrined unity and shared governance.
British Influence and Early Canadian Governance
- Following the Treaty of Paris (1763), British institutions began shaping Canadian governance.
- The 1791 Constitutional Act introduced limited representative assemblies, but tensions with British-appointed authorities persisted.
Establishment of Canadian Parliament
- The 1867 British North America Act established Canada's federal parliamentary system, modeled on the British Westminster system.
- This act marked a key step, though full independence from Britain was a gradual process.