What significant impact did the Canada Act of 1982 have?

The Canada Act of 1982, also known as the Constitution Act, 1982, had a profound impact on Canadian sovereignty by ending the British Parliament's authority to amend Canada's constitution. Prior to this act, any constitutional changes required approval from the British Parliament, which meant that Canada was not fully autonomous in managing its own constitutional affairs. By patriating the constitution, Canada gained the full power to amend its own laws without the need for British approval. This autonomy was an important step in affirming Canada's independence and promoting self-governance.

While the act did include other significant components, such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the key takeaway is that it marked a definitive shift in Canada's legislative governance, allowing Canadians to make constitutional changes democratically and independently.