Canadian Human Rights Timeline

By GCBALLA
  • Women’s Voting Rights

    Women’s Voting Rights

    Women in Canada finally got the right to vote in federal elections in 1918 after years of fighting for it. It was a huge deal becuase it showed that womens voices mattered just as much as mens. It was one of the first big steps for gender equality in Canada.
  • Persons Case

    Persons Case

    This case was about if women could be called “persons” under the law. The Famous Five fought for this and won, lettigng women be appointed to the Senate. It proved women deserved the same legal rights as men, even though it took a long time.
  • Indian Act Revisions

    Indian Act Revisions

    The Indian Act got updated in 1951 and took out some of the super unfair rules against Indigenous people. Before that the government had way too much control over their lives. The changes helped a bit but didn’t fix eeverything.
  • Canadian Bill of Rights

    Canadian Bill of Rights

    The Bill of Rights was made to protect basic freedoms like religion, speech and equality. Prime Minister John Diefenbaker created it, but it wasn’t part of the Constitution so it didn’t have as much power. Still, it was a big step forward for human rights in Canada.
  • Indigenous Canadians Voting Rights

    Indigenous Canadians Voting Rights

    In 1960, Indigenous people finally got the right to vote in federal elections without losing their status. It took way too long for this to happen and showed how unfair things were before. It was a huge step for equality.
  • Ontario Human Rights Code

    Ontario Human Rights Code

    This was the first law in Canada that banned discrimination in jobs and housing. It made it ilegal to treat people unfair cause of race, gender or religion. It was a huge example for other provinces to make their own codes too.
  • Immigration Act

    Immigration Act

    The Immigration Act made a points system so people were judged by there skills and education instead of skin color or race. It made immigration way more fair and helped Canada become more diverse. It was a big change in who could come to Canada.
  • Canadian Official Languages Act

    Canadian Official Languages Act

    This law made both English and French the official languages of Canada. It helped protect french speakers and made sure they got services in there own language. It made Canada more united and fair for both cultures.
  • Royal Commission on the Status of Women

    Royal Commission on the Status of Women

    This commision looked at how women were treated and gave recommendations to make things better. They talked about equal pay and more job and education chances for women. It was a key moment in womens rights in Canada.
  • Canadian Human Rights Act

    Canadian Human Rights Act

    This act made sure no one was discriminated against for race, gender, age or disabilty. It made workplaces and services fairer for everyone. It showed Canada was starting to take human rights seriously.
  • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    The Charter became part of the Constitution and gave Canadians stronger legal rights like equality, speech and religion. It means no one even the goverment can take away basic freedoms. It’s probaly the most important law in Canada.
  • R. v. Big M Drug Mart

    R. v. Big M Drug Mart

    This case ended a law that forced stores to close on Sundays for religious reasons. The court said it went against freedom of religion in the Charter. It was a big win for personal freedom and choice
  • Canadian Employment Equity Act

    Canadian Employment Equity Act

    This law made employers give fair chances to women, Indigenous people, and people with disabiltys. It was about fixing unfair hiring and helping equality at work. It showed Canada wanted more fairness for everyone.
  • R. v. Oakes

    R. v. Oakes

    This case made the Oaakes Test that helps judges decide if limits on rights are fair. It’s still used today to make sure laws don’t go too far. It made the Charter stronger and more fair.
  • Abortion Rights

    Abortion Rights

    In 1988, the Supreme Court said the abortion law violated womens rights to security and freedom. It gave women the right to choose what happens to there body. It was a huge step for women’s rights and control.
  • Delgamuukw v. British Columbia

    Delgamuukw v. British Columbia

    This case was about Indigenous land rights and the court said oral history was real evidence too. It showed that Indigenous people still had rights to there land. It was a big win for justice and respect.
  • Vriend v. Alberta

    Vriend v. Alberta

    Delwin Vriend got fired for being gay and Alberta didn’t protect him. The Supreme Court said the law had to include sexual orientation. It was a massive victory for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.
  • R. v. Marshall

    R. v. Marshall

    Donald Marshall Jr. won a case that said Indigenous people had treaty rights to fish and hunt. It forced the goverment to respect old treaties that were ignored for years. It was another important Indigenous rights case.
  • Same Sex Marriage

    Same Sex Marriage

    In 2005, Canada made samemsex marriage legal everywhere in the country. It showed that love and equality were for everyone. It was a proud and historic moment for LGBTQ+ Canadians.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission

    Truth and Reconciliation Commission

    The TRC looked into what happened in residential schools and listened to survivors stories. It was super emotional and hard but helped Canada start healing. It was an important step for truth and change.