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Underground Railroad
The significance of this event was that it sparked a movement for freedom. This historical event helped many people begin to realize that everyone who is human should have the same rights as one another, ignoring their race. This event caused advancement for the human rights in Canada because it helped create the idea of having the right to freedom. Alongside the right to freedom, the right to equality also plays into part here. Letting people choose what they wanted to do in their lives. -
Slavery abolished (British Parliament)
The significance was that it helped affirm the rights to freedom, getting rid of the factor of "people owning people" because it goes against the idea of everyone being equal. This event happened due to the British and helped free more than 800,000 enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and South Africa, as well as any in Canada. As mentioned above, it helped affirm the right to freedom which can imply that it helped advance Canadian human rights. -
Canadian independence
The Canadian independence act helped implement the idea of having rights that only apply while being in Canada. It was the beginning of creating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Canadian independence act was a major factor when it came to advancing human rights in Canada, this was the start of creating separate equal rights in Canada. -
Chinese head tax
The idea of the Chinese head tax was that Chinese people were too poor to pay so when it came to getting paid they would lose money just for being Chinese. The significance of this event was that it caused Canada to reflect on their actions and apologize by paying them back. This event helped Canada advance in today's law because Canada is now a very welcoming country to immigrants and supports the idea of immigrating to Canada. -
Johnson v. Sparrow
The Johnson v. Sparrow case occurred when a man named Johnson was kicked out of a theatre due to being black. Johnson declined the idea of getting a refund and sued the theatre. Johnson won the trial due to everyone being equal under the law, fighting against the racism shown towards Johnson. This event helped Canada move forward in the law because it showed that everyone is equal under the law. -
Dominion Elections Act
The dominion elections act was when Canada let white women run for the Parliament of Canada. This was due to the movement Nellie McClung made when she was fighting for women's rights. The significance was that it was the first step towards letting women go into the government system. This event made Canada advance in terms of the law because women are now able to run and participate in discussion related back to the government. -
Persons Case
This case revolved around the idea of women being able to pursue a career in the government system, as well as allowing them to have the right to vote. This was due to the movement the Famous Five did. The significant was that it allowed women to vote and be a part in government systems. This was a major step in Canada as it now lets everyone who is a registered Canadian citizen have the right to vote for whoever they want, regardless of their gender, race, and ethnicity. -
MS St. Louis
The MS St.Louis case is significant because it showed the consequences of refugee rejection and the need for international protections for asylum seekers. This caused Canada to perpetuated human rights at the time of this event because it caused the death of many Jewish people when they could've been saved. -
Japanese internment
During this time, Japanese Canadians were sent to isolated camps, and their properties were sold off by the government. During the time of this event it perpetuated human rights in Canada, but later helped advance them. The government apologized for the actions and gave compensation to any survivors. -
First Nations peoples' votes
In 1958, Canada granted voting rights to First Nations people, removing the requirement to renounce their "Indian" status. This marked a significant shift towards Indigenous rights and political representation. This helped Canada advance, letting the rights to voting expand. -
Canadian Bill of Rights
The Canadian Bill of Rights was Canada's first federal human rights law, protecting freedoms like speech and religion. It paved the way for the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982. This was a major step in advancing human rights as it was the start of creating the Charter, which is a something that play a major part in human rights. -
Ontario Human Rights Code
The Ontario Human Rights Code, established in 1962, was Canada's first legislation to get rid of discrimination in employment, housing, and services. It created the Ontario Human Rights Commission and inspired other provinces, influencing the development of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This was a major advancement in Canadian human rights as well, taking a massive step towards wanting to keep everyone in Canada, specifically in Ontario, to be able to feel safe. -
Canadian Human Rights Act
Its significant because it helps keep every citizen safe and lets them be able to express themselves without the fear of being harmed. The Canadian Human Rights Act protects people from discrimination in federally regulated sectors. It has evolved over time, addressing transgender rights and promoting equality across Ontario and other provinces. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The significance of the Charter is that helps protect citizens and keep everyone under control due to the laws involved. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has significantly advanced human rights in Canada by guaranteeing rights, improving judicial oversight, and promoting accountability and equality in government actions. -
Employment Equity Act
The significance of the event was that it caused the equal employment rights, letting everyone have equal benefits or job opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability. This helped Canada advance because everyone is equal under the law and gets equal opportunities regardless of their current position. -
Same-sex marriage legalized
Canada legalized same sex marriage which is very significant towards those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. This advance human rights in Canada because it allows people to marry whoever they are in love with, regardless of their gender. -
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement was a major step for Canada when it came to addressing the actions Canada has made in the past which involved the abuse and death of many indigenous children. This agreement helped advance human rights in Canada because we acknowledged what occurred and took steps to avoid making the same decision we did in the past.