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- Granted federal voting rights to most Canadian women.
- Followed provincial victories starting with Manitoba in 1916.
- Excluded Indigenous women until 1960.
- Paved the way for women’s political participation.
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- Famous Five: Women activists challenged the definition of “persons.”
- Judicial victory: Women were legally recognized as “persons” under the law.
- Enabled Senate appointments: Women could now serve in the Senate.
- Symbol of feminist legal advocacy
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- Removed bans on cultural ceremonies like potlatches.
- Allowed Indigenous people to hire lawyers.
- Enabled legal challenges to federal policies.
- Marked a shift toward Indigenous rights recognition
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- Status Indians gained the right to vote federally without losing status.
- Marked a major civil rights milestone.
- Previously, voting required renouncing Indigenous status.
- Enabled fuller participation in Canadian democracy
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- First federal law to protect civil rights and freedoms.
- Introduced by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.
- Limited in scope applied only to federal matters.
- Influenced the later Charter of Rights and Freedoms
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- First provincial human rights legislation in Canada.
- Prohibited discrimination in employment, housing, and services.
- Covered race, gender, age, disability, and more.
- Became a model for other provinces
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- Introduced a non-discriminatory points system.
- Ended race-based immigration policies.
- Prioritized education, skills, and language ability.
- Transformed Canada into a multicultural society.
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- Promotes workplace diversity and inclusion.
- Targets women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.
- Applies to federally regulated employers.
- Requires proactive equity measures.
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- Made English and French Canada’s official languages.
- Ensured bilingual services in federal institutions.
- Promoted linguistic equality and cultural preservation.
- Strengthened national unity
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- Investigated gender inequality in Canada.
- Published 167 recommendations for reform.
- Influenced policies on education, employment, and law.
- Empowered feminist movements and advocacy
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- Applied to federally regulated organizations.
- Prohibited discrimination based on race, sex, disability, etc.
- Created the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
- Strengthened enforcement of equality rights
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- Supreme Court struck down abortion law as unconstitutional.
- Recognized women’s right to security of the person.
- Decriminalized abortion in Canada.
- Landmark for reproductive rights.
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- Recognized Aboriginal title and land rights.
- Clarified legal standards for proving title.
- Strengthened Indigenous sovereignty claims.
- Landmark in reconciliation efforts
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- Challenged exclusion of sexual orientation from Alberta’s human rights law.
- Supreme Court ruled Charter requires inclusion.
- Major victory for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Expanded equality protections nationwide.
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- Affirmed Mi’kmaq treaty rights to fish and trade.
- Recognized historical agreements as legally binding.
- Strengthened Indigenous economic rights.
- Sparked national debate on treaty interpretation
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- Civil Marriage Act legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
- Affirmed equality rights under the Charter.
- Canada became a global leader in LGBTQ+ rights.
- Major social and legal milestone
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- Investigated residential school abuses.
- Collected survivor testimonies and historical records.
- Issued 94 Calls to Action for reconciliation.
- Raised national awareness and accountability.