British North America.

LONDON, ENGLAND March 1867

Once introduced into the Westminster Parliament, the British North America Bill has received swift passage. With little or no debate, the Bill has gone from introduction to Royal Assent, on 29 March, in just 46 days.

It seems the British are in some haste to create the new Dominion of Canada. Perhaps, they want to get rid of us. The Times of London has written: "We look to Confederation as the means of saving this country [Great Britain] from much expense and much embarrassment."

Mr. Macdonald has remarked on the speed of passage. He says the British Parliament has treated the Bill with little more concern than a "private bill uniting two or three English parishes." In fact, the second-reading debate was carried through in double-quick time so the House could deal, on the same day, with the Duty on Dogs Bill.

The Act may be of little concern to British Members of Parliament but it stands as a Constitution for Canadians.

It is based on British principle. In this system, Parliament has supreme power. Its authority is backed by an unwritten Constitution based on centuries of tradition.

However, the British North America Act is written to ensure areas of jurisdiction are clearly understood. It sets up a strong central government over the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

All powers not specifically mentioned in the Act belong to the central government. The provinces are confined to passing laws on "Generally all matters of a merely local ... nature ..."

The federal government has exclusive authority over the regulation of trade and commerce, the raising of revenue by any form of taxation, defence, criminal law, penitentiaries, fisheries, banking, coinage and paper money, and a number of other economic matters.

Some issues, such as agriculture and immigration, are shared between federal and provincial governments. However, in the case of a conflict, the federal government has over-riding authority. Members of the Senate are to be appointed for life and representation will be on a regional rather than provincial basis.

There are those who say the Constitution lacks popular support. The Act does not mention any specific individual rights for people. Critics say the British North America Act is the realization of the dreams of a powerful political elite. They add that if the people were given the chance to vote on it, the Constitution would be defeated everywhere except in Ontario.

A VISION OF THE FUTURE

While most of the British politicians and people have paid little attention to the creation of the Dominion of Canada, Lord Carnarvon has been closely involved. As Britain's Colonial Secretary he has shepherded the British North America Act through the House of Lords. His Lordship believes the new nation has a bright Future and has written: "In geographical area this Confederation of the British North American Provinces is even now large--it may become one day second only in extent to the vast territories of Russia--and in population, in revenue, in trade, in shipping it is superior to the Thirteen Colonies when, not a century ago, in the Declaration of Independence, they became the United States of America. We are laying the foundations of a great state--perhaps one which at a future date may even overshadow this country."

THE WEST WANTS IN

Even before Queen Victoria has signed the British North America Act others want to join the new nation. A motion has been introduced into British Columbia's Legislative Council promoting the union of the colony with the Dominion of Canada.

The 18 March motion is the work of the eccentric editor of the British Colonist newspaper Amor De Cosmos. The newspaper has written that, "Were the colony polled tomorrow there is little doubt that the vote in favour of a close communion with our brethren on the other side of the Rocky Mountains would be 10 to one."

In 1812, the non-Native population of the Atlantic colonies was just under 100,000; that of Lower Canada was 330,000; and, Upper Canada had 90,000 non-Native inhabitants.

In 1807, Ezekial Hart won a by-election in Trois-Rivieres. However, the Lower Canada House of Assembly refused to allow Mr. Hart to take his seat because he was a Jew.