Newfoundland Act
Encyclopedia
The Newfoundland Act was an Act
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
that confirmed and gave effect to the Terms of Union agreed to between the then-separate Dominions of Canada
and Newfoundland
on March 23, 1949. It was originally titled the British North America Act 1949, but was renamed in Canada on the patriation
of the Canadian Constitution from the United Kingdom
in 1982.
In exchange for Newfoundland becoming a province, the Canadian government took tver the Newfoundland railway, Gander airport, public broadcasting, telegraph services and other services that fell under federal control. The federal government would assumed responsibility for Newfoundland's debt.
Newfoundland was also given statutory subsidies, a special subsidy of $1.1 million, the right to enter into tax rental agreements with the federal government and an additional transitional grant of $3.5 million, diminishing by 10 per cent per year for a total of 12 years. Also, a0as a safety net, it was agreed a Royal Commission would review finances.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
that confirmed and gave effect to the Terms of Union agreed to between the then-separate Dominions of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
on March 23, 1949. It was originally titled the British North America Act 1949, but was renamed in Canada on the patriation
Patriation
Patriation is a non-legal term used in Canada to describe a process of constitutional change also known as "homecoming" of the constitution. Up until 1982, Canada was governed by a constitution that was a British law and could be changed only by an Act of the British Parliament...
of the Canadian Constitution from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1982.
In exchange for Newfoundland becoming a province, the Canadian government took tver the Newfoundland railway, Gander airport, public broadcasting, telegraph services and other services that fell under federal control. The federal government would assumed responsibility for Newfoundland's debt.
Newfoundland was also given statutory subsidies, a special subsidy of $1.1 million, the right to enter into tax rental agreements with the federal government and an additional transitional grant of $3.5 million, diminishing by 10 per cent per year for a total of 12 years. Also, a0as a safety net, it was agreed a Royal Commission would review finances.