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On May 24 1918, women who were not indigenous or racialized were given the federal right to vote. Some provinces had not opened voting up to women in provincial elections. Women had to be 21 years old to vote.
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The right for women to be appointed to Senate in Canada came about from the Persons Case. This was a constitutional ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council that reversed the BNA Act that ruled women were not ‘persons”. Women could no longer be denied human rights in Canada based on a narrow interpretation of the law.
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- First ever time the Indian Act was edited through a joint committee with first nations communities
- Removed bans on ceremonies like potlatch and sun dance and allowed communities to file land claims against the government
- First Nations Women now allowed to vote in band council elections
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Until 1960 you had to give up your indigenous rights to vote.
On March 10th, 1960, John Diefenbaker's government amended section 14 of the Canadian Elections Act. -
The Canadian Bill of Rights was Canada’s first federal law to protect human rights and freedoms. The Bill of Rights was not effective as it was just a law and not in Canada’s constitution and could be changed by any new government. The Bill of Rights was superseded by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982.
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The commission was established on the 3rd of February 1967. The purpose of the committee is to reduce gender inequality across all Canadian spheres. Issues they wanted to fix included pay equity, abortion rights, and reforming family law.
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Big M. Drug Mart was found selling merchandise on a Sunday, going against the Lord’s Day Act that prohibited that. The court found that the statute according to the federal criminal law power found in s91 (27) of the Constitution Act, but was unconstitutional due to s2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as it violated freedom of religion
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In this case David Oakes was found owning illicit drugs, and was accused and charged with possession of drugs with the purpose of trafficking. Section 8 of the Narcotic Control Act stated that anybody found in possession of drugs is presumed that the accused was trying to traffic those drugs. Oakes argued that section 8 violates section 11(d) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which violates the right to be assumed innocent in a court of law.
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Morgentaler was a doctor who had been prosecuted for performing abortions. The supreme court of Canada found that the Criminal Code making abortions illegal violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and freedoms. It was not an inherent right to an abortion but it was an inherent right not have to deal with the horrible system to get one done legally.
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The Act ensures equality in the workplace. It does not allow for people to be denied employment based on their gender, disabilities, if they are a visible minority or indigenous person. The Act requires employers to remove barriers within the workplace environment.
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This case helped solidify the fact that an aboriginal title was protected under section 35(1) of the Constitution Act. The case also established the precedent that oral history was valid evidence in court.
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A supreme court of Canada case involving a male teacher at an Alberta college. He was promoted and his salary was increased until he disclosed, he was gay. He was then fired from his job. He won the case based on the fact that it went against the Canadian charter of Rights of Freedoms. In Canada employers cannot discriminate against anyone based on their sexual orientation.
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Donald Marshall Jr. Was an indigenous man who was charged with illegal fishing in Nova Scotia as he had an illegal net and it was closed- season times. He was charged and arrested under the federal Fisheries Act and the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations. The case was brought to the Canada Supreme Court and Donald won because his fishing activities fell within the treat rights of 1760-61 Peace and Friendship treaties.
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On July 20th, 2005, same-sex marriage became legal federally across Canada because of the Civil Marriage Act. This allowed same-sex couples to gain benefits from being married. The Supreme Court ruled that a religious official is not legally compelled to perform same-sex marriages if it goes against their religion.
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Originally launched in 2008 as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. Meant to teach the story of the residential school system, and lay a foundation for reconciliation in the future.