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The Indian Act
The Indian Act was introduced to regulate the lives of First Nations people in Canada. It restricted cultural practices, governance, and movement.
Key People/Governments: Government of Canada under Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie.
Impact: While the act was intended to “assimilate” Indigenous peoples, it led to decades of systemic discrimination. It laid the groundwork for future Indigenous rights movements. -
War Measures Act Passed
this law gave the Canadian government the power to suspend civil liberties, imprison people without trial, and control the economy during wartime or emergencies. It was controversially used to imprison Japanese Canadians, Italian Canadians, and others during WWII
Key People: Prime Ministers Robert Borden (WWI) and Pierre Trudeau
Impact: The misuse of this act exposed the fragility of civil rights in emergencies, leading to its replacement by the more rights-focused Emergencies Act in 1988. -
Persons Case Decision
The “Famous Five,” a group of women activists, challenged the Canadian legal system’s refusal to recognize women as “persons” under the law. The British Privy Council overturned a Supreme Court decision, allowing women to be appointed to the Senate for the first time.
Key People: Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, Henrietta Muir Edwards.
Impact: A critical moment for women’s rights in Canada, this case expanded legal equality and empowered future gender justice reforms. -
Canadian Citizenship Act Comes Into Effect
Before this act, Canadians were considered British subjects. The new law officially recognized Canadian citizenship and granted new rights like holding a Canadian passport and being protected by Canadian laws abroad. It also began breaking away from British colonial identity.
Key People: Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Impact: This law helped define a national identity and was the first legal step toward individual citizenship rights in Canada. -
Canadian Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was Canada’s first federal legislation to protect civil rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and equality before the law. However, it wasn’t part of the Constitution and could be overruled by other laws.
Key People: Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.
Impact: Though limited, it was a starting point for national human rights legislation and led to the later creation of the Charter. -
Ontario Human Rights Code Enacted
Ontario became the first Canadian province to pass a law banning discrimination in housing, employment, and public services based on race, religion, and other protected grounds. It also created a commission to investigate complaints.
Key People: Ontario Premier John Robarts and provincial legislators.
Impact: Set the stage for other provinces and territories to pass similar legislation, helping build a culture of equality across Canada. -
Canadian Human Rights Act Passed
This federal act outlawed discrimination by federally regulated employers and service providers. It protected people from unfair treatment due to race, gender, age, disability, and other factors.
Key People: Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Justice Minister Ron Basford.
Impact: Strengthened federal accountability and helped ensure Canadians were treated fairly in areas like banking, telecommunications, and government services. -
Charter of Rights and Freedoms Becomes Law
It guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, the right to equality, and more. The Charter forms part of the Canadian Constitution and provides a framework for protecting these rights against infringement by the government
Key People: Pierre Trudeau and Justice Minister Jean Chrétien.
Impact: Considered the most powerful legal tool for protecting human rights in Canada today. It influences almost every court decision related to freedoms and equality. -
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized Nationwide
Canada passed Bill C-38, making it the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage across the country. The law followed years of court decisions that recognized equality under the Charter.
Key People: Prime Minister Paul Martin and LGBTQ+ activists.
Impact: A landmark victory for LGBTQ+ rights and a major moment in the fight for full legal equality in Canada. -
Accessible Canada Act Comes Into Force
The Accessible Canada Act is a federal law that aims to identify, remove and prevent barriers facing people with disabilities. The federal government adopted the Act in 2019. The goal of the Act is to create a Canada without barriers by 2040.
Key People: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Carla Qualtrough.
Impact: This law represents a major step toward full inclusion for people with disabilities, changing how Canada addresses accessibility as a human right.