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The Statute of Westminster (1931): Canada's "Declaration of Independence" - Page 3

© Joseph Sramek

"autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic and internal affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations." (5)

Five years later, this statement was translate into law -- the Statute of Westminster. Canada finally had its "Declaration of Independence," although it has technically never actually left, metaphorically speaking, the home of its parents. Even today, it's a proud member of the British Empire...oops, the Commonwealth of Nations!!! This should all give us something to think about when we celebrate on both sides of the border.

Footnotes:

(1) A.J.P. Taylor, English History, 1914-45, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1965), p. 2.

(2) Ibid, p. 452.

(3) Ibid., pp. 452-53.

(4) Ibid., p. 191.

(5) Ibid., p. 253.

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