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In Canada, most women received the right to vote in federal elections in 1918, though not without a struggle. That was quite a leap towards equality. Women struggled to win the vote in the male leading society of previous times. It has brought more women into public life and opened new directions for them. -
Five women, known as the Famous Five, went to court to be recognized as "persons" under Canadian law. In 1929, the court agreed that women were indeed persons. This meant women could now be appointed to the Senate. It was a big win for gender equality. -
In 1951, the Indian Act was changed to remove some unfair rules. Before this, Indigenous people had very few rights. The changes gave them more freedom and allowed them to organize and speak out. It was a small but important move toward justice. -
The Canadian Bill of Rights was the first law to protect human rights across the country. It was passed in 1960 and listed important freedoms like speech and religion. Even though it was a federal law, it didn’t apply to provinces. Still, it was a big step forward. -
It was not until 1960 that Indigenous people in Canada were finally allowed to vote in federal elections without losing their treaty rights. Before this, they had to choose between giving up voting or keeping their special status. As a result they gained the same voting rights, thus proving another important step forward in the cause of fairness. -
Ontario passed the first human rights code in Canada in 1962. It made it illegal to treat people unfairly because of their race, religion, or gender. This law helped protect people at work, in housing, and in public places. Other provinces later made similar laws. -
In 1967, Canada changed how it chose immigrants. Instead of judging people by their race or country, it used a points system based on skills and education. This made immigration more fair and open to people from all over the world. It helped make Canada more diverse. -
This law made English and French the official languages of Canada. It meant people could get government services in either language. It helped protect French speaking communities. It also showed that Canada respects both of its founding cultures. -
This group was created to study how women were treated in Canada. In 1970, they shared a report with 167 ideas to make things more equal. They talked about jobs, education, and family life. Their work helped bring big changes for women’s rights. -
The Canadian Human Rights Act was passed in 1977 to stop discrimination. It protects people from being treated unfairly because of things like race, gender, or disability. It applies to jobs and services run by the federal government. This law helps make sure everyone is treated equally. -
The Charter became part of Canada’s Constitution in 1982. It protects important rights like freedom of speech, religion, and equality. It also helps people challenge unfair laws in court. The Charter is one of the most important documents in Canadian history. -
This case dealt with a store whose owner claimed a religious law as the reason for not closing on Sundays. The court declared the legislation as unjust for imposing one religion's practices on the whole population. This case has contributed to the preservation of religious freedom rights in Canada. It demonstrated that laws need to be considerate of all faiths. -
This case helped decide how courts should protect rights under the Charter. The court said that if a law takes away rights, the government must prove it’s really necessary. This became known as the “Oakes Test.” It’s still used today to check if laws are fair. -
This law helps make sure everyone has a fair chance at getting a job. It supports women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and visible minorities. Employers must try to remove barriers and treat everyone equally. It helps create more diverse workplaces. -
In 1988, the Supreme Court said Canada’s abortion law was unfair. It said the law hurt women’s rights to make choices about their own bodies. After this, abortion became legal in Canada. It was a big moment for women’s health and freedom. -
This case was about Indigenous land rights. The court said that oral history (stories passed down) could be used as evidence. It also said Indigenous people have rights to their land. This case helped protect Indigenous culture and land claims. -
Delwin Vriend was fired from his job for being gay. Alberta’s human rights law didn’t protect people based on sexual orientation. The court said that was wrong and added protection for LGBTQ+ people. This case helped make Canada more inclusive. -
Donald Marshall Jr., a Mi’kmaq man, was charged for fishing without a license. The court said he had a treaty right to fish and sell his catch. This case confirmed that old treaties still matter today. It was a big win for Indigenous rights. -
In 2005, Canada made same-sex marriage legal across the country. This meant that gay and lesbian couples could get married just like anyone else. It was a big step for equality and love. Canada was one of the first countries to do this. -
This group listened to stories from Indigenous people who went to residential schools. These schools tried to erase their culture and caused a lot of harm. The Commission shared the truth and gave 94 Calls to Action to help Canada heal. It was an important step toward justice.