# Statutes of Canada/1867-68/Chapter 1

Cited as: Interpretation Act, 31 V., SC 1867-68, c 1; Cited as: House of Commons Bill 2, Interpretation Act, 1st Session, 1st Parliament, 31 Victoria, 1867.
Note: This is the original Act as it was initially assented to. Any other subsequent amendments or consolidations hosted on Wikisource may be listed using What Links Here.
[Assented to 21st December, 1867.]
Preamble.
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Form of enacting clause.
1. The following words, may be inserted in the Preambles of Statutes and shall indicate the authority by virtue of which they are passed: “Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:”
Other clauses to follow in concise form.
2. After the insertion of the words aforesaid, which shall follow the setting forth of the considerations or reasons upon which the law is grounded, and which shall with these considerations or reasons constitute the entire Preamble, the various clauses of the Statute shall follow in a concise and enunciative form.
The interpretation clauses to apply to all Acts hereafter passed.
3. This section and the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth sections of this Act, and each provision thereof, shall extend and apply to every Act passed in the Session held in this thirtieth year of Her Majesty’s Reign, and in any future Session of the Parliament of Canada, except in so far as the provision is inconsistent with the intent and object of such Act, or the interpretation which such provision would give to any word, expression or clause is inconsistent with the context,—and except in so far as any provision thereof is in any such Act declared not applicable thereto;—Nor shall the omission in any Act of a declaration that the “Interpretation Act” shall apply thereto, be construed to prevent its so applying, although such express declaration may be inserted in some other Act or Acts of the same Session.
Date of Royal assent to be endorsed on every Act. Effect of such endorsement.
Every Act may be amended during session in which it passes.
How enactments shall be construed.
To apply to the whole Dominion.
Application of expressions in present tense.
“Shall” and “may.”
“Herein.”
Interpretation of certain words.
“Her Majesty,” &c.
“Governor,” &c.
“Governor in Council, &c.”
“Lieutenant-Governor, &c.”
“Lieutenant-Governor in Council, &c.”
“United Kingdom,” “United States,” names of places, &c.
Proclamation.
Governor acting by Proclamation.
County.
Number and gender.
“Person.”
“Writing,” “written.”
“Now” or “next.”
“Month.”
“Holiday.”
“Oath.” “Sworn.” “Affirmed.” Perjury.
“Sureties.” “Security.”
“Superior Courts.”
“Registrar,” “Register.”
Contravention of Acts.
Punishment for contravention.
Recovery of penalties when no other mode is prescribed. Appropriation.
Crown’s share when not otherwise appropriated to form part of Con. Rev. Fund.
Paying and accounting for moneys appropriated by statute.
“Magistrate” “Two Justices.” Power to do anything to include all necessary powers for doing it.
Imprisonment where to be, when no special place is mentioned.
Words giving power to appoint include power to remove.
Directions to public officer, to apply to his successors and his Deputy.
Appointments by Governor to be during pleasure.
Words constituting a corporation to vest certain powers in it.
Slight deviation from forms not to invalidate.
Power to make by-laws, what included by.
Acts not to affect the Crown, unless specially declared to do so. As to Acts of private nature.
Power always reserved to Parliament to repeal or amend any Act. As to Bank Charters.
Effect of repeal of Act on persons acting under it. Not to effect certain proceedings.
As to acts, &c., done before repeal.
Offences committed and penalties incurred not affected by repeal.
All Acts to be deemed Public Acts, as regards pleading. Proof of Acts.
Preamble to be a part of Act. All Acts remedial, and to be construed as such.
Applicable Rules of construction not excluded.
Provisions herein to apply to this Act.
Acts to be done by more than two.
Certified copy of every Act to be furnished to Queen’s Printer.
Printer to distribute printed copies of Acts.
Who shall receive such copies.
As to Bills assented to during and before the end of the session.
List to be furnished of persons to receive copies.
If any copies remain, &c.
How Statutes shall be printed and bound. Classification of Statutes.
Report by Printer as to number of copies distributed. And as to expense incurred by him.
Obligations of parties obtaining private Acts.
Short title.
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