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1900- Women had no democratic rights
only men could vote in provincial and federal elections, visible minorities could not vote in provincial elections which means that they could also not vote in federal elections. This means that over half of the Canadian population at the time could not vote (aboriginals, women and other minorities had no democratic rights) -
The married womens property act
Women in Manitoba were given the same legal rights as men in owning property. (Married women could now own property)
Manitoba was the first province to give women these property rights in 1900, but the rest of Canada also followed in giving women these rights in the following order:
Prince Edward Island in 1903
Saskatchewan in 1907
Alberta in 1922
The rest of the provinces, gave women these rights later on along with other rights, as a combonation of rights -
Women get the right to vote in provincial elections
Women in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan were now allowed to vote in provinical elections. these were the first of the provinces to allow women to vote, the rest of the provinces followed in this order:
B.C in 1917
Ontario in 1917
Nova Scotia in 1918
New Brunswick in 1919
Prince Edward Island in 1922
Equal Suffrage Statutory Law Amendment Act -
Women get the right to vote in federal elections
Women are getting more and more democratic rights in Canada becuase they are being able to share their thoughts and opinions in who gets to govern Canada, by voting in federal elections. -
Women can be apointed to the Senate
Women can now be appointed to positions in the Senate of Canada. This was a very important milestone for women becuase now they can vote for whom they want to govern Canada, but they can also help to influence Canadas democracy, by being able to hold government positions. -
Women get the rights to vote in Quebec
Women now have the rights to vote in both provincial and federal elections in Quebec. Quebec did not follow through on giving women rights as quickly as the other provinces as you will see in the rest of this timeline, but they did eventually agree that women should have rights, and in 1940 women finally got the rights to contribute their votes in the province of Quebec.. -
The Human Rights Begin
The United Nations release the declaration of universal human rights which have anti discrimination laws. This was an important milestone for womens rights, because now the idea that both males and females should be treated equally, is a more known and accepted in the world. Womens rights are also more protected. -
Fair Employment for Women
Women get the same employment oppertunities as men. They will also have equal chances when applying for jobs as men. This was very important to women becuase now, if they truely and honestly qualify for a job, they will get it and not get discriminated against just for being women (in most cases).
This started in Ontario in 1951.
Saskatchewan in 1952
Manitoba in 1953
Quebec in 1964
Nova Scotia in 1953 -
Equal Pay
Women now have the right to get paid the same as their male counterparts. This was another important milestone becuase, now women would not get taken advantage of in the workplace, and would recive the same payment as their male counterparts. Ontario was the first province to introduce this idea in 1951 the rest of the provinces followed in this order:
Saskatchewan in 1952
Manitoba in 1956
Nova Scotia in 1956 -
Equal Legislation
Equal Legislation is passed in B.C. and in Alberta in 1957 -
Fair Employment Practises Act
Canada passes the fair employment practises act, which means that all provinces must give women and men the same job oppertunities, and equal treatment in the work place. -
Fair Wages Policey
The government introduces the fair wages policey to Canada, this policey says that women must be given fair wages for the jobs that they do, and they cannot be paid less than their male counterparts just because they are women. -
Female workers equal pay act
The federal government passes the female workers equal pay act. This act was to ensure that women were reciveing equal pay as their male counterparts and it reinforces the fair wages policey. -
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Quebec passes its Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, includes political rights, fundamental freedoms, anti-discriminatory provisions, and equal pay provisions. -
Key figures
There were many important people, who helped women to get the rights that they deserve. The famous 5 is a group of 5 women from across Canada who stood up for women and demanded to have their rights recognized and respected. The names of these 5 women are: Emily Muphy, Irene Marryat Parlby, Nellie Mooney McClung, Louise Crummy Mckinney, and Henrietta Muir Edwards. -
The constituation
The Canadian Charter of rights and freedoms is included as part of the constitution securing womens rights. This was an extremly important milestone for women becuase now that they could not be discriminated against in the work place or in soceity, they were more free to live their life the way they want to. This is important also becuase it ensures that women are (in law) treated equally as men.
