Which of the following granted independence for Canada?
A. the Act of Union
B. the Quebec Act
C. the British North America Act
D. the Statute of Westminster
C. the British North America Act
D. the Statute of Westminster
The answer is C. the British North America Act. To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the historical context of Canada's independence and the significance of each of the options provided.
Option A, the Act of Union, refers to an agreement in 1840 that united Upper Canada (now Ontario) and Lower Canada (now Quebec) into the Province of Canada. While this act played a role in shaping Canada's political landscape, it did not grant Canada independence.
Option B, the Quebec Act, passed in 1774, was an important legislation that aimed to address the concerns of French Canadians living in the territory of Quebec. However, it did not grant independence to Canada.
Option C, the British North America Act, was passed in 1867. This act established the Dominion of Canada, which included four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The British North America Act is considered a significant milestone in Canada's path to independence.
Option D, the Statute of Westminster, was passed by the British Parliament in 1931. While this statute granted legislative independence to the countries of the British Empire, including Canada, it did not officially grant Canada independence. Canada had already gained significant autonomy through the British North America Act, and the Statute of Westminster further solidified its independence.
To summarize, the correct answer is C. the British North America Act, as it played a crucial role in granting Canada a measure of self-governance and establishing it as a distinct nation within the British Empire.