Constitution Act, 1886
The Constitution Act, 1886 (UK), 58 & 59 Vict, c 35, (the Act) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and forms part of the Constitution of Canada. It was originally known as the British North America Act, 1886, but it was renamed Constitution Act, 1886 by the Constitution Act, 1982.
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| Act of Parliament | |
Parliament of the United Kingdom | |
| Long title | An Act respecting the representation in the Parliament of Canada of territories which for the time being form part of the Dominion of Canada, but are not included in any province. |
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| Citation | 49 & 50 Vict c. 35 |
| Territorial extent | Canada |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 25 June 1886 |
| Commencement | 25 June 1886 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
Section 1 of the Constitution Act, 1886 provides that "the Parliament of Canada may...make provision for the representation in the Senate and House of Commons, or in either of them, of any territories which for the time being form part of the Dominion of Canada, but are not included in any Province thereof."
Section 2 of the Constitution Act, 1886 clarifies that Parliament can, by providing for the representation of the territories in the Senate, increase the normal and maximum total number of Senators under the Constitution Act, 1867, and, by providing for the representation of the territories in the House of Commons, increase the number of members of the House of Commons. Section 2 also retroactively validates an 1886 law providing for the representation of the Northwest Territories in the House of Commons.