Canadian sovereignty

The location of Canada

The sovereignty of Canada is, in legal terms, the power of Canada to govern itself and its subjects; it is the ultimate source of Canada's law and order.[1] Sovereignty is also a major cultural matter in Canada.[2] Several matters currently define Canadian sovereignty: the Canadian monarchy, telecommunication, the autonomy of the provinces, and Canada's Arctic border.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Though unitary, the Canadian Crown is also "divided" equally among the country's 11 jurisdictions: one federal (wherein the sovereign is represented by the governor general[3]) and 10 provincial (the monarch being represented in each by a lieutenant governor[3]). The greater autonomy of each province and territory within the construct of Canadian federalism is also important to Canadian sovereignty. Quebec has twice voted on seceding from Canada.[4] Sovereignty has also been an issue for some of Canada's indigenous peoples.[1]

Canada's Telecommunications Act "specifies the need for national ownership and control of Canadian carriers".[5]

Since 2005, arctic ice melting in Northern Canada has caused issues affecting Canadian sovereignty, as some arctic countries have come in conflict over an agreement on who owns certain areas in the oil-rich Arctic.[6]

  1. ^ a b McWhinney, Edward Watson (8 October 2019), "Sovereignty", The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, retrieved 5 March 2023
  2. ^ Finlay, Karen A. (2004). The Force of Culture: Vincent Massey and Canadian Sovereignty. University of Toronto Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8020-3624-7.
  3. ^ a b "Forsey, Eugene; How Canadians Govern Themselves: The Institutions of Our Federal Government" (6th ed.). Library of Parliament. p. 1. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  4. ^ Mason, Christopher (27 March 2007), "Quebec Liberals Are Re-elected, Avoiding Another Secession Vote", The New York Times, retrieved 21 December 2008
  5. ^ "The Canadian Telecommunications Act (1993) - Overview". Media Awareness Network. 2003. Archived from the original on 30 April 2003. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  6. ^ Carter, Lee (23 August 2005). "Canada sends navy to Arctic north". BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2008.