Charter

Human Rights Development in Canada

By Klyd_Miranda
  • Manitoba women became the first women in Canada to win the rights to vote and to hold provincial office.

    Manitoba women became the first women in Canada to win the rights to vote and to hold provincial office.

  • All female citizens aged 21 and over became eligible to vote in federal elections in Canada.

    All female citizens aged 21 and over became eligible to vote in federal elections in Canada.

  • Women in Canada gain the right to stand for the House of Commons

    Women in Canada gain the right to stand for the House of Commons

  • The Dominion Election Act gives the right to vote in federal elections to all adult Canadians, male and female. (However, the federal vote was not given to Aboriginal peoples, nor to visible minorities barred from provincial voters' lists, such as Asians

    The Dominion Election Act gives the right to vote in federal elections to all adult Canadians, male and female. (However, the federal vote was not given to Aboriginal peoples, nor to visible minorities barred from provincial voters' lists, such as Asians

  • Establishment of the League of Nations, with Canada as one of the original members

    Establishment of the League of Nations, with Canada as one of the original members

  • Women in Canada gain the right to hold a seat in a Senate.

    Women in Canada gain the right to hold a seat in a Senate.

  • Manitoba passes a Libel Act that allows legal action to stop personal attacks based on race or religion that expose people to hatred, contempt to ridicule

  • Women in Quebec obtain the vote

    Women in Quebec obtain the vote

  • British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt meet in Newfoundland to sign the Atlantic Charter, a declaration on the purposes of the war in fighting against fascism

    British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt meet in Newfoundland to sign the Atlantic Charter, a declaration on the purposes of the war in fighting against fascism

  • Ontario enacts the Racial Discrimination Act, Prohibiting the publication or display of any notice, sign, or symbol indicating racial discrimination

    Ontario enacts the Racial Discrimination Act, Prohibiting the publication or display of any notice, sign, or symbol indicating racial discrimination

  • Tommy Douglas becomes premier of Saskatchewan and enacts a "humanity first" policy in government, making available free health care to poor and to senior citizens.

    Tommy Douglas becomes premier of Saskatchewan and enacts a "humanity first" policy in government, making available free health care to poor and to senior citizens.

  • The B.C. Social Assistance Act of 1945 prohibits discrimination based on color, creed, race or political affiliation in social assistance programs

  • End of World War 2 and founding the United Nations "to save future generations from the scourge war"; Canada is one of the original members.

    End of World War 2 and founding the United Nations "to save future generations from the scourge war"; Canada is one of the original members.

  • The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights, Canada's first general law prohibiting discrimination, is passed under Tommy Douglas.

    The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights, Canada's first general law prohibiting discrimination, is passed under Tommy Douglas.

  • The federal Elections Act is changed so that race is no longer a ground for exclusion from voting in federal elections.

    The federal Elections Act is changed so that race is no longer a ground for exclusion from voting in federal elections.

  • Japanese Canadians receive the right to vote in federal elections.

    Japanese Canadians receive the right to vote in federal elections.

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is signed by the United Nations members. Canadian John Humphrey plays a large role in drafting the declarations, and Canada is among the signing nations

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is signed by the United Nations members. Canadian John Humphrey plays a large role in drafting the declarations, and Canada is among the signing nations

  • wartime restrictions and the War Measures Act are ended

  • The Indian Act is revised and some of the mire repressive feature of the act are removed

    The Indian Act is revised and some of the mire repressive feature of the act are removed

  • Doukhobors are given the right to vote in federal elections.

    Doukhobors are given the right to vote in federal elections.

  • Equal pay for Equal work law is adopted in Manitoba, preventing discrimination in salary based on gender

    Equal pay for Equal work law is adopted in Manitoba, preventing discrimination in salary based on gender

  • Aboriginal people receive the unrestricted right to vote in federal elections

    Aboriginal people receive the unrestricted right to vote in federal elections

  • The barring of immigrants based on nationality, citizenship, ethnic group, occupation, class or region of origin is ended in Canada.

  • Prime Minister John Diefenbaker brings in the Canadian Bill of Rights.

    Prime Minister John Diefenbaker brings in the Canadian Bill of Rights.

  • The last execution take place in Canada

    The last execution take place in Canada

  • The first anti-age discrimination law in Canada is passed in B.C.

    The first anti-age discrimination law in Canada is passed in B.C.

  • Laws requiring separate schools for blacks in Canada are removed.

    Laws requiring separate schools for blacks in Canada are removed.

  • Capital punishment in Canada is limited to the killing of on-duty police officers and prison guards.

    Capital punishment in Canada is limited to the killing of on-duty police officers and prison guards.

  • The Criminal Code is amended to decriminalize homosexuality.

    The Criminal Code is amended to decriminalize homosexuality.

  • Ontario becomes the first province to pass a law guaranteeing a blind person the legal right tp be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all facilities open to the public.

    Ontario becomes the first province to pass a law guaranteeing a blind person the legal right tp be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all facilities open to the public.

  • The Red Paper is written by Harold Cardinal in response to the 1969 white paper

    The Red Paper is written by Harold Cardinal in response to the 1969 white paper

  • The criminal code makes it a crime to advocate genocide or publicity incite hatred against people because of their color, race, religion, or ethnic identity.

    The criminal code makes it a crime to advocate genocide or publicity incite hatred against people because of their color, race, religion, or ethnic identity.

  • As a result of the Calder case involving the Nisga'a, Native title to land is proclaimed to exist under English law, predating colonization. This is seen to be the basis for contemporary Aboriginal law in Canada.

    As a result of the Calder case involving the Nisga'a, Native title to land is proclaimed to exist under English law, predating colonization. This is seen to be the basis for contemporary Aboriginal law in Canada.

  • Nova Scotia amends its Human Rights Act to prohibit employment discrimination against the physically handicapped, unless the handicap prevents an acceptable job performance.

    Nova Scotia amends its Human Rights Act to prohibit employment discrimination against the physically handicapped, unless the handicap prevents an acceptable job performance.

  • Quebec passes its Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

    Quebec passes its Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

  • Capital punishment is removed as a penalty for crime in Canada. (However, it is still permitted in the military for serious offenses.)

    Capital punishment is removed as a penalty for crime in Canada. (However, it is still permitted in the military for serious offenses.)

  • The federal government passes the Canadian Human Rights Act and sets up the Human Rights Commission.

    The federal government passes the Canadian Human Rights Act and sets up the Human Rights Commission.

  • The Immigration Act removes all restrictive regulations based on "nationality, citizenship, ethnic group, occupation, class or geographical area of origin.

  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms becomes part of Canada's constitution and the Canadian identity. Since that date many landmarks decisions have been made by the Supreme Court to uphold the human rights provisions of the Charter.

    The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms becomes part of Canada's constitution and the Canadian identity. Since that date many landmarks decisions have been made by the Supreme Court to uphold the human rights provisions of the Charter.

  • The Constitution Act specifically recognizes Aboriginal rights and Metis as an Aboriginal people.

    The Constitution Act specifically recognizes Aboriginal rights and Metis as an Aboriginal people.

  • Bill C-31 changes the Indian Act to end some forms of discrimination that had existed since the 1860s. Prior to Bill C-31, Indian women who married non-Indian men were no longer considered to be Indian, nor were their children.

    Bill C-31 changes the Indian Act to end some forms of discrimination that had existed since the 1860s. Prior to Bill C-31, Indian women who married non-Indian men were no longer considered to be Indian, nor were their children.

    They were now allowed to reclaim their status under the Indian Act. Other First Nations people were also allowed to reclaim their status as Indians under the Act: e.g., people who had lived outside of Canada for more than 5 years.
  • The federal Employment Equity Act comes into force

    The federal Employment Equity Act comes into force

  • A motion to reintroduce capital punishment is debated in the Canadian House of Commons and defeated on a free vote.

    A motion to reintroduce capital punishment is debated in the Canadian House of Commons and defeated on a free vote.

  • Prime Minister Brian Mulroney acknowledges Canada's wrongful actions against Japanese Canadians during WW2 and offers a compensation programs

    Prime Minister Brian Mulroney acknowledges Canada's wrongful actions against Japanese Canadians during WW2 and offers a compensation programs

  • Federal-Provincial Relations Directorate is created to coordinate federal and provincial activities regarding Aboriginal self-government.

    Federal-Provincial Relations Directorate is created to coordinate federal and provincial activities regarding Aboriginal self-government.

  • Elijah Harper, an Aboriginal Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, is instrumental in the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, as it neglected to acknowledge Aboriginal Canadians' significant role in shaping Canada's future.

    Elijah Harper, an Aboriginal Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, is instrumental in the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, as it neglected to acknowledge Aboriginal Canadians' significant role in shaping Canada's future.

  • The Sparrow case affirms that the constitutional rights of Aboriginal people cannot be infringed without justification.

    The Sparrow case affirms that the constitutional rights of Aboriginal people cannot be infringed without justification.

  • The federal government announces a five-year national plan to help bring persons with disabilities into society's mainstream.

  • The Anglican church apologizes to residential school victims.

    The Anglican church apologizes to residential school victims.

  • The Canadian government establishes a policy to move Aboriginal self-government policy forward.

    The Canadian government establishes a policy to move Aboriginal self-government policy forward.

  • The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report is issued.

    The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report is issued.

  • The Van der Peet, Gladstone, Smokehouse decisions by the Supreme Court affirm that Aboriginal rights existed prior to The Constitutional and are not extinguishable.

  • Sexual orientation is added as a grounds for discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act.

    Sexual orientation is added as a grounds for discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act.

  • The Delgamuukw decision of the Supreme Court of Canada confirms the existence of Aboriginal title in B.C.

    The Delgamuukw decision of the Supreme Court of Canada confirms the existence of Aboriginal title in B.C.

  • The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, an organization to promote racial harmony, opens its doors.

    The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, an organization to promote racial harmony, opens its doors.

  • Capital punishment is removed from Canadian military law.

    Capital punishment is removed from Canadian military law.

  • The Canadian government releases Gatherings Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, which expresses regret for damaging actions that have been committed against Aboriginal people, and sets out a plan to fully implement treaty terms,

    Strengthen Aboriginal self-government, and to provide resources to promote social, cultural, and economic development for Aboriginal communities.
  • The Canadian government issues a statement of reconciliation to residential school survivors and victims and establishes the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

    The Canadian government issues a statement of reconciliation to residential school survivors and victims and establishes the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

  • The Marshalls decision of the Supreme Court of Canada affirms treaty right of mi'kmaq to fish commercially.

    The Marshalls decision of the Supreme Court of Canada affirms treaty right of mi'kmaq to fish commercially.

  • Canada's Extradition Act states that Canada will refuse to forcibly return anyone to a country that wants to punish that person because of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, language, color, politician opinion, sex, sexual orientation, age,

    Canada's Extradition Act states that Canada will refuse to forcibly return anyone to a country that wants to punish that person because of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, language, color, politician opinion, sex, sexual orientation, age,

    mental or physical disability, or status.
  • The Powley case establishes that the rights of a particular Ontario Metis community to hint for food were infringed by provincial law.

    The Powley case establishes that the rights of a particular Ontario Metis community to hint for food were infringed by provincial law.

  • The Canadian government announces a $1.9 billion compensation package to benefit tens of thousands of survivors of abuse at native residential schools.

    The Canadian government announces a $1.9 billion compensation package to benefit tens of thousands of survivors of abuse at native residential schools.