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Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an anti-slavery movement that brought tens of thousands of African American people from the United States to Canada. This advanced Human Rights because slaves were allowed to come to Canada and live their own lives through the 1793 Act to Limit Slavery. -
Slavery Abolished by British Parliament
The significance of the Slavery Abolition Act was put into effect in 1833. It abolished slavery in the majority of British colonies, freeing over 800,000 people from Africa and the Caribbean. This allowed for former slaves to live how they wished. -
Canadian Independence
The significance of the Canadian Independence act allowed Canada to have full independence and gave Canada to change the Constitution without permission from Britain. It also put the Charter of Rights and Freedoms into the Constitution. -
Chinese Head Tax
The purpose of the Chinese Head Tax was to limit immigration after labor was not necessary to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, by making Chinese people pay a head tax to come into Canada. Chinese immigrants had to pay at least $50 to come into the country, it was then raised to $100 then $500. The head tax was removed when the Chinese Immigration Act was passed in 1923. By that time Chinese people had paid almost $23 million in head tax. -
Johnson v. Sparrow
Fred Johnson had two tickets to watch a show which he got from his employer. When he went to sit, the usher refused since it was orchestra seating, and the manager offered a refund. When the case was appealed the judge decided the only problem was breach of contract since the tickets had already been purchased. The significance of this case is that in Canadian Human Rights Act in 1985 created a law that banned discrimination based on race, gender, or gender identity. -
First Women Elected into Parliment
Louise McKinney was the first women elected in the British Empire, becoming . She was also a major advocate for the Persons Case which allowed women to be considered people under the law. She paved the way for women in government positions, however, she also played a huge part in eugenics in Canada. -
Dominion Elections Act
The passing of the Dominion Election Act allowed white women to run for office. However, women from all minorities were not given this right. The reason the law was passed was because of the advocacy of Nellie McClung who was a women's rights activist from Manitoba. -
Persons Case
The significance of the Persons Case is that it finally made women people under the law. In 1928, the Supreme Court ruled that women were not considered "persons" based on the British North America Act. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council opposed the Court's decision in 1929. The Persons Case allowed for women to change rules in the House of Commons and the Senate, while also making sure women's rights could not be denied. -
MS St. Louis
A German ship called the St. Louis went from Germany to Cuba. The boat was mostly full of Jewish refugees. Neither the US nor Canada accepted the passengers, and they were sent back to Europe where they were allowed to dock. 254 of the passengers died in the Holocaust. This event is significant because is upheld the antisemitic views a lot of the world held at the time. Refuges coming into Canada can now file Humanitarian grounds to stay in the country if it is unsafe for them to return home. -
Japanese Internment
Japanese people were had limited job opportunities and rights because white settlers saw them as undesirable. After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Canadians were taken to camps. This moment is important because changes have been made to the War Measures Act to protect racialised groups. -
Canadian Bill of Rights
The Canadian Bill of Rights was the first bill put in place to protect human rights and freedoms in Canada. It was the precursor to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This bill is significant because it was one of the first works put in place to protect human rights in Canada. -
First Nations Peoples Votes
Originally, if an Indigenous person wanted to vote, they would have to give up their status meaning they could no longer live on a reserve with their families. This was just one more example of laws put in place that were meant to encourage the enfranchisement of Indigenous people. In 1982, an update was made to the Constitution Act allowing Inuit, Metis and First Nations people to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections. -
Ontario Human Rights Code
The purpose of the Ontario Human Rights Code is to provide equal rights and opportunities to everyone under the law. This law is significant because it over powers any other set of laws and they must be followed at all times. -
Canadian Human Rights Act
The Canadian Human Rights Act is based off Universal Human Rights and is meant to protect the fundamental freedoms that all people are entitled too. This is one of the Acts that solidified human rights in Canada. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter is part of the Canadian Constitution, and says that anyone in Canada (citizens to newcomers) have the freedoms that are in the Charter. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is significant because it guarantees rights to Canadian citizens, keeps people accountable, and has advanced human rights. -
Same-sex Marriage Legalized
In 2003 a same-sex couple got support from the court of appeal, and same-sex marriage was immediately recognized in Ontario. This encouraged other provinces to do the same over the next couple years. The Civil Marriage Act is what legalized same-sex marriage in Canada, which further supported LGBTQ+ rights in Canada. -
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
This agreement initially recognized the impact of what residential schools had on Indigenous peoples, and a fund was created to support recovery. The Act gave each former student $10,000 for their first year at the residential schools, and $3,000 for every year after that. The Act is part of Canada's work towards Truth and Reconciliation.