Böcker av R.B. Byers

Canada passed a major political milestone in 1982 with the patriation of its constitution. There were two snags that held up the passage of the Canada Act in the British Parliament: the challenge from Quebec that the accord was unconstitutional since it negated Quebec's right to veto any constitutional change, and the objection of native groups that Britain retained responsibility for treaty rights and could not approve a bill that violated those rights. However, the third reading of the bill was approved 25 March. Britain had relinquished its responsibility for Canadian constitutional law.Economic matters preoccupied Parliament and the Canadian people for much of the year, beginning with legislation neede to give effect to the budget introduced by Finance Minister Allan MacEachen the previous November. When the budget was widely criticized, the government introduced a new budget in June introducing voluntary wage and price guidelines - the 'six and five' campaign.For two weeks in March, Parliament has an unplanned recess when Conservative members kept the House of Commons waiting for an adjournment vote in protest over the government's introduction of energy legislation in the form of an omnibus bill.

The Canadian Annual Review has become an indispensable reference book for those concerned directly or indirectly with Canadian public affairs. It offers both a concise, convenient record of the year's events and a responsible appraisal of important developments. Compiled by a corps of Canadian scholars and experts, writing under the direction of an outstanding Canadian historian and political commentator, it is authoritative and eminently readable. Its articles can be read consecutively for interest and instruction, or they can be spot read with ease to locate particular information. A superb index greatly enhances the value of this annual, now in its third decade, as the definitive record of Canadian political developments.