Which document replaced the British North America Act over time?

The British North America Act (BNA Act), originally passed in 1867, was the foundational document for Canadian Confederation, establishing the country and delineating its provinces and territories. Over the years, as Canada grew and evolved, so did the need for a more comprehensive and updated constitutional framework. The Constitution Act, 1982 replaced the BNA Act, marking a significant moment in Canadian history.

The Constitution Act, 1982 includes several key components, notably the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all Canadians. It also introduced provisions for constitutional amending, allowing Canada to have greater control over its constitutional changes without requiring British approval. This act essentially patriated the Constitution, meaning it brought it home to Canada from the UK, giving Canada full sovereignty over its constitutional matters.

The Statute of Westminster, while instrumental in granting legislative independence to Canada in 1931, did not replace the BNA Act; instead, it acknowledged Canada's autonomy and allowed for its ability to amend its own laws. The Canada Act, also known as the Constitution Act, 1982 when viewed in the Canadian legal framework, is somewhat misleading as it typically refers to the entirety of the Act that includes the changes brought about