Glossary of terms

• Author: Patrick J. Monahan, Byron Shaw
• Pages: 531-538

531

GLOSSA RY OF TER MS

Aboriginal peoples The origina l inhabitants of North America prior to

the arrival of European settlers. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982

def‌ines the “Aboriginal peoples of Canada” as includi ng the Indian,

Inuit, and Metis peoples of Canada.

Act A bill that has been approved or “read” three times by the Parlia-

ment or legislature and signed into law by t he queen’s representative (the

governor general or lieutenant governor). Also known as a statute.

Administrative (non-constitutional) judicial review A legal proceed-

ing in which a decision or action of a public body is challenged on the

basis that the decision or action exceeded the body’s legal powers.

British North America Act, 1867 The British statute creating Ca nada in

1867 out of the colonies of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

In 1982 it was renamed the Constitution Act, 1867.

Cabinet The group of ministers of state named by the prime minister

whose function is to advise t he prime minister and governor general on

measures for the admin istration of public affairs.

Canadian Bill of Rights A federal statute, enacted in 1960, which pro-

vided that all federal legislation should be interpreted so as not to in-

fringe on certain fundamental individual rights.

Charlottetown Accord The agreement reached in August 1992 between

the prime minister, premiers, territorial leaders, and Aboriginal lead-