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Voting is established
For the first time in Canadian history, voting is established in Nova Scotia. By 1792, all provinces had established it. -
End of Slavery
Slavery is abolished, Black Canadians who own property can vote. -
Canadian Confederation
Confederation is established, forming the Dominion of Canada. -
Secret Ballots
Secret ballot is introduced with polling stations constantly monitored by police because of violence, this was the first time citizens could privately vote. Before this, voters had to publicly declare their vote. -
Indian Act 1876
John A Macdonald passes the Indian Act 1876, to “do away with the tribal system and assimilate the Indian people.” This disenfranchised the Indigenous peoples completely. To consider the devastating repercussions of this act, watch the following video: Indian Act -
Women's Suffrage Movement
John A Macdonald introduces bill in Parliament to allow women to vote, but reverses it after facing heavy opposition. -
Japanese Canadians Disenfranchised in British Colombia
Japanese Canadians lose the right to vote in BC. -
Provincial Disenfranchisement is Federal Disenfranchisement
Dominions Elections Act 1900 denies disenfranchised people provincially from voting in federal actions. -
Religious Discrimination
During the First World War, the War-Time Elections Act was passed by Robert Borden, banning Canadians born in enemy countries or speaking their languages from voting. Religious groups (namely the Mennonites and Hutterites) are banned from voting as well because of their pacifist beliefs and opposition to conscription. This lasts for 3 years. -
Most Women Can Vote
All women except for First Nations and Inuit women are granted suffrage federally. Women would soon be allowed to be elected, with Agnes McPhail being the first female representative. -
Religious Discrimination starts, Racism stops.
All South Asian Canadians can vote. Doukhobers, Hutterites, and Mennonites are banned from voting again. -
Japanese Canadian's Suffrage
Japanese Canadians are finally given the right to vote after the prime minister, Mackenzie King, states he didn’t know they wanted to vote. -
Aboriginal Canadian's Suffrage
Prime Minister John Difefenbaker passes the Canadian Bill of Rights, which receives royal assent. Aboriginal people are now allowed to vote. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is passed and entrenched into the Constitution. Everyone is granted equal rights regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, etc. This was because of Pierre Trudeau’s efforts to autonomize Canada. To learn more about the Charter, read this summary: Charter of Rights and Freedoms -
Canada Elections 1993
Canada Elections Act 1993 bans discrimination based on mental health, Candiands with mental illnesses can vote federally. -
Permanent residence
Citizens with no permanent lodging are allowed to vote. -
Prisoner's Suffrage
Because of Sauvé v. Canada, all prisoners are granted the right to vote, regardless of sentence length. To learn more about this case, read the following briefing Sauvé v. Canada -
Expat Canadians
Expat Canadians are allowed to vote. -
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Asian Canadians Are Banned
All people of Asian descent are banned from voting. In 1947, a clause of the Dominions Act 1920 stated that all Asian Canadians excluding Japanese Canadians could vote. Japanese Canadians were finally granted this right provincially in 1948, and federally in 1949. -
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Women's Suffrage Begins!
Women are granted suffrage, starting in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan. This excludes Japanese, Aboriginal, and South Asian women in most provinces. To learn more about this movement, read the following article written by Elections Canada: Women's Suffrage