In your example, when you call vector::resize() method, the constructor is called instead of the copy constructor. That is why you do not see assert being triggered.
As for why you need the copy-constructor (and move constructor, which you haven't defined and declared), is that the template types have to be Copy-constructable and move-constructable. [container.requirements.general]/15 defines the requirements for container's type :
— T is DefaultInsertable into X means that the following expression is well-formed: allocator_traits<A>::construct(m, p);
— An element of X is default-inserted if it is initialized by evaluation of the expression allocator_traits<A>::construct(m, p);
where p is the address of the uninitialized storage for the element allocated within X.
— T is CopyInsertable into X means that the following expression is well-formed: allocator_traits<A>::construct(m, p, v);
— T is MoveInsertable into X means that the following expression is well-formed: allocator_traits<A>::construct(m, p, rv);
— T is EmplaceConstructible into X from args , for zero or more arguments args, means that the following expression is well-formed: allocator_traits<A>::construct(m, p, args);
— T is Erasable from X means that the following expression is well-formed: allocator_traits<A>::destroy(m, p);