The legislation amended the Constitution Act, 1867 and modified the redistricting process contained within it. Amendments affecting proportionate representation between the provinces, require support of seven provinces representing at least 50% of the population of Canada. Because the Fair Representation Act did not affect the proportionate representation of the provinces, it was passed without approval of the provinces. The legislation could be passed by the Parliament of Canada alone, under section 44 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
