Canadian Human Rights Timeline

By Egg45172634671

  • Women's Voting Rights

    In 1916, women from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan gained voting rights. Later, on April 5th, 1917, women in British Columbia were allowed to vote. Lastly, Ontario allowed women to vote on April 12th, 1917, giving all women voting rights in Canada. This progressive movement towards gender equality was a crutial step towards equality rights in Canada for women. “Women’s Suffrage.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1 Jan. 2024, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/womens-suffrage.

  • Indigenous Canadians Voting Rights

    On January 1st, 1924, Indigenous veterans who fought in World War I were allowed to vote. Much later on July 10th, 1960, all Indigenous peoples were allowed to vote in federal elections. Creating a milestone for Indigenous rights and freedoms. “Indigenous Suffrage.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1 Jan. 1400, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/indigenous-suffrage.

  • The Persons Case

    The Persons Case was introduced on February 2nd, 1927. It was sought out by the Supreme Court of Canada to consider if women were actually people. Originally the court ruled against it until it was appealed in Britain. This significant event created a new landmark for women's rights in Canada. “Persons Case.” Edited by Andrew McIntosh, The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/persons-case.

  • Indian Act Revision (1951)

    The Indian Act Revision was aimed to improve indigenous peoples righst and freedoms. To impove equality, restrictions were removed on First Nations peoples. Although many Indigenous issues remained, this brough Canada a step closer to equality. “The Indian Act.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1 Jan. 1755, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/the-indian-act.

  • Canadian Bill of Rights

    The Canadian Bill of Rights, one of the first federal laws that protected people's rights and freedoms. It recognized basic rights like freedom of speech and religion. Although it's crucial, the Bill of Rights is overridden by other charters. “For OPP Members.” For OPP Members - Ontario Pension Board, www.opb.ca/current-members/for-opp-members#:~:text=OPP%20officers,-In%202024%2C%20your&text=9.7%25%20of%20your%20annual%20salary,annual%20salary%20above%20the%20YMPE. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.

  • Ontario Human Rights Code

    The Ontario Human Rights Code is aimed to protect individuals from discrimination based on various grounds. It provides a structure for addressing human rights complaints in Ontario. The Ontario Human Rights Code represents a comitment to permoting equallity and discouraging discrminination. “The Ontario Human Rights Code and System.” The Ontario Human Rights Code | Ontario Human Rights Commission, www3.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-human-rights-code. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

  • Imagration Act (1967)

    The Immigration Act aimed to select immigrants based on their skills and qualifications. This approach shifted focus away from race, gender, or country of origin. It marked a step away from discriminatory immigration policies. Dirks, Gerald.“Immigration Policy in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/immigration-policy#:~:text=Immigration%20Act%2C%201976&text=It%20established%20for%20the%20first,diversity%2C%20and%20non%2Ddiscrimination.

  • Royal Commission on the Status of Women

    The Royal Commission on the Status of Women was created to look at women's issues in Canada. The commission created recommendations like education and healthcare accessible for women. Leading to more improved rights for women in Canada. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 14 Apr. 2021, www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/royal-commission-status-women-canada.html#.

  • Canadian Official Languages Act

    This act designates French and English as the official Languages. Its purpose is to promote bilingualism in the government. The Act also guarantees equal treatment for both language communities. Hudon, Marie Eve.“Research Publications.”The Official Languages Act: Understanding Its Principles and Implementation, 17 Oct. 2023, lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/201155E#:~:text=2a%20and%202b-,Executive%20Summary,sociodemographic%20realities%20of%20our%20time.

  • Canadian Human Rights Act

    The Canadian Human Rights Act was passed to protect people from discrimination. It created the Human Rights Commission to handle complaints and promote equality in Canada. The aim of the act is to ensure everyone is treated equally regardless of their gender, race, etc. “Human Rights in Canada.” Human Rights, 10 Sept. 2024, www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en/about-human-rights/human-rights-canada.

  • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was introduced on April 17, 1982. It guarantees rights such as mobility, equality, and legal rights, along with freedoms like religion, thought, assembly, and association. These protections help ensure safety from discrimination in Canada. Heritage, Canadian. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 2 Aug. 2024, www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/how-rights-protected/guide-canadian-charter-rights-freedoms.html.

  • Big M Drug Mart

    In 1985, in the Big M Drug Mart case, the Supreme Court ruled that every Sunday was Lord's Day, which meant that all businesses should be closed. The court found that this law was interfering with the charter's freedom of religion. So the Supreme Court decided to strike the law down allowing all businesses the freedom to open and close during their set times. R. V. Big M Drug Mart Ltd. - SCC Cases, 11 Apr. 2024, decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/43/index.do.

  • Canadian Employment Equality Act

    The Canadian Employment Equality Act was created to ensure individuals in a workplace are treated equally. It is aimed to eliminate barriers such as gender, age, race, and religion. This act ensures that business owners treat all employees equally without discrimination. Canada, Employment and Social Development. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 26 Sept. 2024, www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/labour/programs/employment-equity.html#.

  • R. V. Oakes

    The R. V. Oakes case involved limiting Canadian rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Supreme Court ruled that a law about drug trafficking violated the rights of people. So the Oakes test was created to see if the law was reasonable or necessary. Beaudoin, Gerald. “Oakes Case (R V. Oakes).” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/oakes-case.

  • Abortion RIghts (1988)

    Abortion rights were ruled by the Supreme Court of Canada. The court struck down the previous abortion rights, stating that it violated a woman's rights to the security of a person. This was a landmarking ruling decriminalizing abortion and giving women the right to choose. Canada, Public Health Agency of. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 11 Oct. 2024, www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/sexual-health/abortion-canada.html.

  • Deltamuuk v. Brittish Colombia (1997)

    This case revolved around Indigenous Land rights. The Supreme Court of Canada approved the oral history of the First Nations people and affirmed Indigenous land claims. This emphasizes the importance of respecting First Nations' lands and traditions. Beaudoin, Gerald. “Delgamuukw Case.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 18 Aug. 2017, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/delgamuukw-case.

  • Vriend V. Alberta

    In the Vriend V. Alberta case, the Supreme Court said it was wrong to exclude sexual orientation from the Alberta Human Rights Act. The court decided that this would violate people's equality rights. This decision helped protect people from the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination. Wiki, Contributors to Case Brief. “Vriend v Alberta.” Case Brief Wiki, Fandom, Inc., casebrief.fandom.com/wiki/Vriend_v_Alberta. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

  • R. v. Marshall (1999)

    The R. v. Marshall case confirmed that the Mi'maq people had the right to fish based on treaty agreements. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that they can fish only for commercial purposes. This was a important decision for recodnising Indigenouse treatys and rights, hilighting the commitment to Canadas equality rights. Conn, Heather. “Marshall Case.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 11 Apr. 2020, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/marshall-case.

  • Same Sex Marriages

    Same-sex was legalized in Canada in 2005 along with the Civil Marage Act. Allowing same sex couples the same rights as straight couples. Aiming to treat everyone equally. Eichler, Margrit. “Same-Sex Marriage in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 21 Sept. 2016, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/same-sex-marriage-in-canada.

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission

    The TRC recognizes all of the Indigenous peoples who suffered in residential schools. It documents the experiences of survivors and aims to promote healing. This highlights the importance of acknowledging past injustices. Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.” Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 28 May 2024, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525.