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Constitution comes home - with Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada. It forms the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Charter guarantees certain political rights and civil rights to Canadian citizens, from the policies and actions of all areas and levels of government. The Charter was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II of Canada on April 17, 1982 along with the rest of the Act. -
Pierre Trudeau Steps Down
rime Minister Pierre Trudeau steps down and John Turner becomes Prime Minister. Subsequent elections in September are won by the Progressive Conservatives under Brian Mulroney. Mulroney realigns foreign policy towards Europe and the US. -
Introducing the "Loonie"
The Canadian one dollar coin, earn the nickname of "loonie", is a gold-coloured one-dollar coin introduced in 1987. It bears images of a common loon, a bird which is common and well known in Canada, on the reverse, and of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. -
Canada - U.S. Free Trade Agreement
The Canada - Uited States free trade agreement is signed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The agreement phased out a wide range of trade restrictions in stages over a ten-year period, and resulted in a great increase in cross-border trade. -
Shutdown of Newfoundland's Cod Fishery
With cod stocks dwindling, Fisheries Minister John Crobsbie announces a two-year shutdown for Newfoundland's nothern cod fishery. This was called the Moratorium. Over the next few years, fish processing plants across the island closed and about 8,000 people left the province. Many were leaving places where they had always lived, and where their families had lived for generations. Many did not want to go. -
Quebec Referedum
The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second referendum to ask voters in the Canadian province of Quebec whether Quebec should proclaim national sovereignty and become an independent state. Quebecers narrowly reject seperation, with 50.6% voting "no". -
Canadian Human Rights Act - No Discrmination Aganst Homosexual
The Commons aproves changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act; now included a prohibition of discrimination against gays and lesbians. -
Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Canada. Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide with the enactment of the Civil Marriage Act which provided a gender-neutral marriage definition. -
Apology to the Aboriginal People
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issues a formal apology for the abuse suffered by Aboriginals in the residential school system. The treatment of children in residential schools is a sad chapter in canada’s history. -
Canadian Ends Mission in Afghanistsn
After 12 years, the loss of 162 lives and endless debate at home, the military mission formally ended with a ceremony in Kabul. The Canadian flag is lowered at the NATO headquaters in Kabul, marking the formal end to Canada's operations in Afghanistan.
