The development Canadian constitutional law has been heavily influenced by Canada's historical ties to the United Kingdom. Just as the UK’s unwritten constitution is not embodied in a single document, Canada’s constitution is an amalgamation of codified acts and unwritten, but nevertheless legally binding, rules of constitutional practice known as conventions.
The components of the Canadian constitution are set forth in Section 52(2) of the Constitution Act of 1982, one of two core constitutional texts, the other being the Constitution Act of 1867 (originally enacted as the British North America Act). The current constitution is particularly notable for its explicit recognition of the rights of Canada’s aboriginal peoples (First Nations) and for its commitment to reducing regional inequalities and disparities.
The Justice Laws website of Canada's Department of Justice provides electronic access to the following core constitutional texts:
Canadian Constitutional Law, 5th ed.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms: 30+ Years of Decisions That Shape Canadian Life
From Recognition to Reconciliation: Essays on the Constitutional Entrenchment of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
The Oxford Handbook of the Canadian Constitution
Understanding Charter Damages: The Judicial Evolution of a Charter Remedy
The Canadian Constitution, 2nd ed.
Canadian Constitutional Conventions: The Marriage of Law and Politics, 2nd edition
The Constitution of Canada: A Contextual Analysis
The Constitution of Canada: An Introduction to Its Development and Law
Made in Court: Supreme Court Decisions That Shaped CanadaTo locate additional materials on Canadian constitutional law from the Georgetown Law Library's collection, use the Advanced Search and select Law Library Catalog.
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