Canada achieved full legal autonomy from Britain in 1931, but its political independence was a gradual and complex process that involved multiple events, actors, and factors from 1867 to 1982. Here are some key dates and milestones in Canada's journey to sovereignty:

• 1867: The British North America Act creates the Dominion of Canada, a federation of four provinces that gains the right to self-government, but remains under British authority for foreign and defence affairs. ^{1 3}
• 1919: Canada signs the Treaty of Versailles separately from Britain after participating in the First World War as part of the British Empire, asserting its autonomy in international affairs. ^{1 8}
• 1926: The Balfour Declaration recognizes Canada and other dominions as equal and independent members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. ^{1 9}
• 1982: The Constitution Act patriates the Canadian constitution from Britain, giving Canada the power to amend it without British consent. The act also includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a bill of rights that guarantees the civil liberties of Canadians. ^{1 3}