Constitutional Crossroads: Reflections on Charter Rights, Reconciliation, and Change

An insightful analysis of the Canadian Constitution’s legacy, focusing on the themes of rights, reconciliation, and constitutional change.

Four decades have passed since the adoption of the Constitution Act, 1982. Now it is time to assess its legacy. As Constitutional Crossroads makes clear, the 1982 constitutional package raised a host of questions about several important issues, including identity and pluralism, the scope and limits of rights, competing constitutional visions, the relationship between the state and Indigenous peoples, and the nature of constitutional change. This collection brings together an impressive assembly of established and rising stars of political science and law, who not only provide a robust account of the 1982 reform but also analyze the ensuing scholarship that has shaped our understanding of the constitution. Contributors bypass historical descriptions to offer reflective analyses of different aspects of Canada’s constitution as it is understood in the twenty-first century. With a focus on the themes of rights, reconciliation, and constitutional change, Constitutional Crossroads provides profound insights into institutional relationships, public policy, and the state of the fields of law and politics.

Kate Puddister is assistant professor of political science at the University of Guelph and the author of Seeking the Court’s Advice.

Emmett Macfarlane is associate professor of political science at the University of Waterloo. He is the author of several books, including Constitutional Amendment in Canada and Constitutional Pariah.