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Women’s Right to Vote
Women’s suffrage first developed attention in Canada, Manitoba, 1916, being the first province that had women which had the right to vote and over time this acceptance spread between provinces. However, unfortunately, indigenous women were granted the right to vote federally after 1960. Nonetheless, this historical change revolutionized how Canada recognized gender equality in politics and influenced future reforms to legal rights directed towards women. -
The Persons Case
Persons Case, in 1929 was where the Famous Five challenged women to be recognized by as “persons” under the Canadian law. In result, the British Privy Council recognized women as “persons." The significance of this case, was that it served as a pivotal opportunity of potentially greater women’s rights and political engagement—flooring the way for greater gender equality in Canada. -
Indian Act Revisions
The Indian Act Revisions of 1951, appealed bans on cultural practices done by the indigenous, as well as granted indigenous women to vote in band elections. The significance of this event was that it recognized indigenous rights and unbanned some restrictive laws. -
Canadian Bill of Rights
The Canadian Bill of Rights, which was established in 1960, and was enacted by Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker. This was Canada’s first-ever federal law directed towards human rights and freedoms. This law outlined the protection of human rights and freedoms within Canada. -
Indigenous Voting Rights
Indigenous Canadians Voting Rights (1960), which allowed Indigenous people in Canada to vote and participate in federal elections without the elimination of their rightful treaty rights. Nonetheless, the significance of this event was that it was a major point in Canadian history and a leap towards a more indigenous inclusive political environment. -
Ontario Human Rights Code
The Ontario Human Rights Code of 1962, is Canada’s first human rights code which restricted things like discrimination in relation to employment, housing and providing services. Overall, the significance of this Canadian event is that it stands as a precedent for human rights legislation in Canadian courts. -
The Immigration Act of 1967
The Immigration Act of 1967 was an act that introduced a points system--a system that involved criteria based upon family reunification, and skillset. This event was significantly important, as it allowed for greater inclusion in immigration policies, which in turn, contributed to Canada’s diverse cultural identity. -
The Canadian Official Languages Act
The Canadian Official Languages Act of 1969 was an act where Canada recognized and established that both, English and French, were the official languages of Canada. Which allowed for a promotion of bilingualism and contributed to language equality and cultural presence in Canadian identity. -
The Royal Commission on the Status of Women
The Royal Commission on the Status of Women in 1970, was an event where the commission introduced a report that promoted changes to gender equality and in areas like employment, education, and others. The significance of Canadian human rights and freedoms was that it allowed for major reworks involving women’s rights. -
The Canadian Human Rights Act
The Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977, prohibited discrimination, federally governing Canadian services, employers, and more to ensure a race, gender, age and disability-free environment. The significance was that the act served as an added element that is protected under the law for equality and non-discriminatory behaviors within Canada. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was enacted in 1982 and outlined various aspects of human rights/freedoms widely known and appreciated by all Canadians today such as democratic rights, equality rights and more. Nonetheless, this Charter protects Canadian rights/freedoms, even at a constitutional level. Thus, this event is significant to Canadian history as it serves as a revolutionary document, applicable nation-wide and allowed a shift of power; not parliamentary but constitutional. -
R. v. Big M Drug Mart Case
The Big M Drug Mart case was where the Supreme Court ruled that a law which requires stores to close on Sundays for Church. Furthermore, This was considered a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms under the freedom/right of religion act, which they claimed was being overwritten as store owners who weren’t Catholic and didn’t go to Church also had to close their stores. The significance, of this case, was that it further recognized that laws must respect constitutional rights/freedoms. -
The Canadian Employment Equity Act
The Canadian Employment Equity Act of 1986, was steered towards promoting workplace equity, focused primarily on Indigenous people, individuals with disabilities, and minorities. The significance was that it addresses equity-related issues in the workplace such as diversity, and discrimination. -
R. v. Oakes Case
The R. v. Oakes case which occurred in 1986, was where the Supreme Court of Canada established standards/instances when the Canadian Charter could be limited under the Charter’s Section 1. Furthermore, this case signified that the Charter rights were protected at a constitutional level, however, if the limit was of reasonable belief, in this case, public safety, then Oakes's limitation to his rights was deemed constitutional. -
R. v. Morgentaler Case
This event was where Dr. Henry Morgentaler, was convicted with unlawful abortions in his clinic, under the criminal code. he Abortion Rights (1988), was where the Supreme Court of Canada eliminated the abortion law and deemed it unconstitutional. The significance of this event is that it fortified reproductive rights within in Canada, which made it one of a few nations without federal abortion restrictions and prohibitions. -
The Vriend v. Alberta case
The Vriend v. Alberta case in 1988, was where the Supreme Court ruled that Alberta’s human rights code is required to include discrimination based on sexual orientation. This case was significant as it outlined and recognized LGBTQ+ individuals and deemed them as equal under the law. -
Delgamuukw v. British Columbia Case
Delgamuukw v. British Columbia was a case where the Supreme Court of Canada addressed Aboriginal title and fortified indigenous land rights in British Columbia. The significance of this case was that it served as a prideful win in relation to Indigenous land claims and rights. -
The R v. Marshall Case
The R v. Marshall case in 1999, was a case that involved the Supreme Court of Canada in making a decision that recognized Mi’kmaq rights in fishing, as per the treaty. The significance was that this decision made by the Supreme Court of Canada allowed for the greater recognition and evaluation of indigenous treaties and resource rights. -
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage was a revolutionary moment in Canadian history (2005), when Canada, one of four countries, legalized same-sex marriage and granted equal rights to same-sex couples. Furthermore, this promoted Canadian inclusivity and diversity and served as an important step towards LGBTQ+ rights. This showed Canada’s commitment to equality before the law. -
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission which lasted from 2008 to 2015, documented the tragic experiences and harsh realities of residential school survivors. This event was important for Canadian rights and freedoms, as it promoted awareness of this tragic event and contributed and took action towards establishing reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples and communities.