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Women’s Suffrage
In Canada, women gained the right to vote in different provinces, starting with Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta in 1916. On May 24, 1918, women across Canada (except Quebec) were granted the right to vote in federal elections through the War-time Elections Act. However, it wasn’t until 1940 that women in Quebec gained the right to vote provincially. -
The Persons Case
The Persons Case was a key legal victory for women in Canada. On October 18, 1929, the British Privy Council ruled that women could be considered "persons" under Canadian law, allowing them to serve in the Senate. This decision was a huge step forward for women's rights in Canada, as it recognized women as full legal individuals with the right to hold public office. -
Indian Act Revisions of 1951
On June 20, 1951, the Canadian government revised the Indian Act, lifting restrictions on cultural practices like the potlatch and sun dance. These changes allowed greater freedom for Indigenous peoples, though the Act still controlled many aspects of their lives. The revisions were a small step toward less oppressive policies, but full Indigenous rights were still not recognized. -
Indigenous Canadians Receive Voting Rights
Indigenous Canadians gained the right to vote in federal elections on May 12, 1960, when the Canadian government removed the voting restrictions on them. Before this, Indigenous people could only vote if they gave up their Indian status. This change allowed Indigenous peoples to fully participate in Canadian democracy, though it did not end all forms of discrimination. -
Canadian Bill of Rights
The Canadian Bill of Rights was enacted on August 10, 1960, guaranteeing basic rights and freedoms to all Canadians, including the right to vote, freedom of speech, and equality before the law. It was a significant step towards protecting human rights, though it applied only at the federal level. The Bill of Rights laid the groundwork for further legal protections, leading to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982. -
Ontario Human Rights Code
The Ontario Human Rights Code was enacted on June 15, 1962, making it illegal to discriminate based on race, sex, religion, disability, and other factors in areas like employment and housing. This was a major step in protecting individual rights in Ontario. The Code laid the foundation for broader human rights protections in the province, helping to promote equality and fairness for all residents. -
Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada
The Royal Commission on the Status of Women was established on April 22, 1967, to examine and make recommendations on issues affecting women’s equality in Canada. The Commission's report in 1970 highlighted areas such as employment, education, and legal rights where women faced discrimination. It played a key role in advancing women's rights and gender equality in Canada. -
Immigration Act of 1967
The Immigration Act of 1967 came into effect on May 17, 1967, changing Canada's immigration system to a points-based system. This shift removed racial and ethnic barriers, allowing immigrants to be selected based on skills, education, and work experience. The new policy marked a significant step toward a more inclusive and non-discriminatory immigration system in Canada. -
Canadian Official Languages Act
The Official Languages Act was passed on July 7, 1969, making English and French the official languages of Canada. This law required federal government services and communications to be available in both languages. It was a major step towards recognizing Canada's linguistic diversity and promoting bilingualism at the federal level. -
Canadian Human Rights Act
The Canadian Human Rights Act was passed on June 15, 1977, making it illegal to discriminate based on race, sex, disability, and other factors in areas like employment and services under federal jurisdiction. The Act created the Canadian Human Rights Commission to investigate complaints and promote equality. It was a significant step forward in protecting individual rights and fostering equality in Canada. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect on April 17, 1982, as part of the Constitution Act, 1982. It guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and equality before the law. The Charter is a cornerstone of Canadian law, ensuring the protection of individual rights at all levels of government. -
Big M Drug Mart Ltd. vs Canada
The Big M Drug Mart case was decided on May 30, 1985, by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court ruled that Sunday closing laws in Ontario, which forced businesses to close on Sundays, violated the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This decision was a key moment in balancing religious freedom and government laws, marking a significant interpretation of Charter rights. -
R. vs Oakes
The R v. Oakes decision was made on February 28, 1986, by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms's Section 1 (which allows limits on rights under certain circumstances) was used to justify the presumption of innocence being limited in certain drug-related cases. This case established the Oakes Test, a legal framework for determining when rights can be limited under the Charter. -
Abortion Rights (R. vs Morgentaler)
On January 28, 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the Criminal Code’s abortion law in the landmark case R. v. Morgentaler. The Court ruled that the law, which required women to get approval from a committee of doctors before having an abortion, violated a woman's right to security of the person under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This decision effectively decriminalized abortion in Canada, making it legal and accessible without the need for government approval. -
Employment Equity Act
The Employment Equity Act came into effect on October 24, 1996. It required federally regulated employers to take proactive measures to ensure equal employment opportunities for four designated groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. The Act aimed to eliminate workplace discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion in federal employment. -
Delgamuukw vs British Columbia
The Delgamuukw v. British Columbia case was decided on December 11, 1997, by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court ruled that Indigenous peoples have collective land rights and that oral history and testimony should be given equal weight as written evidence in proving those rights. This landmark decision was crucial in recognizing the importance of Indigenous oral traditions in legal claims for land and title in Canada. -
Vriend vs Alberta
The Vriend v. Alberta case was decided on December 2, 1998, by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court ruled that sexual orientation should be included as a protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act, which initially did not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. This landmark decision expanded LGBTQ+ rights in Canada, affirming that individuals cannot be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. -
R. vs Marshall
The R. v. Marshall case was decided on September 17, 1999, by the Supreme Court of Canada. The case involved the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations’ Aboriginal rights to fish for a "moderate livelihood," as guaranteed under their historic treaties. The Court ruled in favor of Donald Marshall Jr., affirming that Indigenous peoples had a right to fish for a moderate livelihood, even outside of regulated seasons, based on their treaty rights. -
Legalization of Same Sex Marriage
The legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada was achieved with the passage of the Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005. This made Canada the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, after the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. The Act defined marriage as the union of two persons, ensuring that same-sex couples had the same legal rights as opposite-sex couples, including the right to marry and have their marriages recognized. -
Truth and Reconciliation Comission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in 2008 to investigate the legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada. Its goal was to uncover the truth about the experiences of Indigenous children who were forced into these schools and to promote healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.