How did Canada achieve its independence from Great Britain?

Answer 1

Let me take this question to mean, when did Canada attain formal legal independence from the United Kingdom? (It's important to note that Canada is still bound by a variety of international agreements.)

Although Canada joined the League of Nations as an independent nation in 1919 it was not until 1931 that it became independent of the UK under the Statute of Westminster. Under the terms of the British North America Act, prior to that time, the UK had assumed responsibility for Canada's foreign relations.

Answer 2

Quebec hasn't gained independance, not really. They have been declared a distinct society, but nothing has changed. At least not sufficiently to appease the separatist movements. They want to protect their culture and language (a language difficult for most anglophones to learn because it can't be done, effectively, through a passive media like television, as is true with english). When the average anglophone tries to learn French, they are overwhelmed by tenses and grammarically important categorizations, that don't exist in English. So they quit their studies believing that the French are just being difficult and making it too hard. Unfortunately this adds to the perpetual argument that the Quebecois are never satisfied. And on the other side, it's always the french that have to learn to communicate with the english, and not the other way around.

Answer 3

In a word, slowly. In theory Canada gained full independence in 1982 with the passing of the Constitution Act. Before this time, under the British North America Act all Canadian laws were ratified by the British parliament, but this was a formality, they -never- said no. Mostly the shift of authority was in tradition and happened very gradually over the course of the 20th century.