Canadian Human Rights Timeline

By RKhanna

  • Women’s Voting Rights

    Women in Canada gained the right to vote gradually, starting with Manitoba in 1916 and achieving federal voting rights in 1918. This marked a significant step toward gender equality in Canadian democracy, allowing women to participate fully in the electoral process.

  • Persons Case

    This decision established that women are considered "persons" under Canadian law. Initially, the Supreme Court ruled against this, but the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain later overturned it, allowing women to be appointed to the Senate, thus advancing women's rights.

  • Indian Acts Revision

    The Indian Act removed discriminatory provisions that the government had set in place, allowing Indigenous peoples to practice their culture freely and gain more rights, such as voting without losing their status.

  • Indigenous Canadian’s Voting Rights

    In 1960, Indigenous peoples were granted the right to vote in federal elections without losing their treaty rights. This was a significant step toward recognizing their status as citizens and enhancing their political participation.

  • Canadian Bill of Right

    The Bill of Rights was the first federal law to protect human rights in Canada, recognizing freedoms such as speech and religion. It laid the groundwork for future rights protections, influencing later legislation.

  • Ontario Humans Right Code

    The Code protects individuals from discrimination in Ontario based on characteristics like, race, gender, and disability, promoting equality and human rights in the province.

  • Royal Commission on the Status of Women

    This commission studied that having women be in positions in the country improved the status and advocated for gender equality. Women were said to improve many areas such as, employment, and education.

  • Immigration

    This act introduced a points system being made for evaluating immigrants, the focus now being on them own skills and qualifications rather than their ethnicity or nationality. It made an equitable immigration policy in Canada.

  • Canadian Official Languages Act

    This act made French and English the two official languages of Canada. All citizens can use public services that provide both languages options for them.

  • Canadian Human Rights Act

    The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on many characteristics, establishing protections for all individuals in federal areas and promoting equality across Canada.

  • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    This part of Canada's Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of expression and the right to equality. The Charter has significantly shaped Canadian law and protected citizens against unjust laws.

  • R v Big M Drug Mart

    The Supreme Court ruled that a law prohibiting stores from opening on Sundays violated the freedom of religion. This case showed the importance of individual rights and freedoms in Canadian law, reinforcing the principle of religious liberty.

  • Canadian Employment Equity Act

    This act is aimed to promote fair employment practices nationwide and improve the representation of women, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities in the workforce, addressing systemic inequalities and bias.

  • R. v. Oakes

    This Supreme Court case established a legal test (the Oakes test) for determining when laws that limit rights can be justified. It clarified how the Charter should be applied, balancing individual rights with societal issues.

  • Abortion Rights

    The Supreme Court decriminalized abortion by ruling that existing laws violated women's rights to security of person. This decision was pivotal in affirming women's autonomy over their reproductive health.

  • Delgamuukw v. British Columbia

    This landmark case recognized Indigenous land rights and signified the importance of spoken history in understanding these rights. It was an important victory for Indigenous communities in asserting their claims to the land.

  • Vriend v. Alberta

    The Supreme Court ruled that excluding people because of their sexual orientation from the Alberta Human Rights act was discriminatory. It also reinforced LGBTQ+ rights all throughout Canada because of equality.

  • R. v. Marshall

    The Supreme Court ruled that Mi'kmaq fishers had the treaty right to fish outside the limits. This recognized the severity of respecting indigenous treaties and to honour historical agreements.

  • Same-Sex Marriage

    Canada was one of the first countries in the world to make same sex marriage legal nationwide. This solidified the LGBTQ+ rights in the country and promoted equality.

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission

    This was established to address what the legacy of the residential schools was in Canada and to spread the idea of healing the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous people. This was made to make a better society rather than just make an apology.