unit 2 law culminating

By hockeyj26
  • Women’s Voting Rights (1916–1918)

    Women’s Voting Rights (1916–1918)

    Manitoba was the first province to grant women the vote in 1916. By 1918, most Canadian women could vote federally. Indigenous and racialized women were still excluded until later reforms.
  • Persons Case (1929)

    Persons Case (1929)

    The Famous Five challenged the legal definition of “persons.” The British Privy Council ruled women are “persons” under the law. This allowed women to be appointed to the Senate.
  • Indian Act Revisions (1951)

    Indian Act Revisions (1951)

    Lifted bans on cultural ceremonies like the potlatch. Allowed Indigenous people to hire legal counsel. Still maintained many colonial controls over Indigenous life.
  • Indigenous Canadians’ Voting Rights (1960)

    Indigenous Canadians’ Voting Rights (1960)

    Before 1960, Indigenous people had to give up status to vote federally. The law changed to allow full voting rights without assimilation. A major step toward political equality.
  • Canadian Bill of Rights (1960)

    Canadian Bill of Rights (1960)

    Introduced by PM John Diefenbaker to protect individual rights. First federal human rights law in Canada. Not part of the Constitution, so courts could override it.
  • Ontario Human Rights Code (1962)

    Ontario Human Rights Code (1962)

    First provincial human rights code in Canada. Prohibited discrimination in housing, employment, and services. Became a model for other provinces.
  • Immigration Act (1967)

    Immigration Act (1967)

    Introduced a points-based system for immigrants. Removed racial and national origin preferences. Promoted multiculturalism and diversity in Canada.
  • Royal Commission on the Status of Women (1967–1970)

    Royal Commission on the Status of Women (1967–1970)

    Investigated gender inequality in Canada. Recommended reforms in education, work, and reproductive rights. Influenced major policy changes in the 1970s.
  • Canadian Official Languages Act (1969)

    Canadian Official Languages Act (1969)

    Made English and French equal in federal institutions. Ensured bilingual services across Canada. Reinforced Canada’s commitment to linguistic duality.
  • Canadian Human Rights Act (1977)

    Canadian Human Rights Act (1977)

    prohibited discrimination in federally regulated sectors. Protected rights based on race, gender, disability, and more. Created the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
  • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

    Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

    Became part of the Constitution under PM Pierre Trudeau. Guarantees fundamental freedoms and legal rights. Courts can strike down laws that violate the Charter.
  • R. v. Big M Drug Mart (1985)

    R. v. Big M Drug Mart (1985)

    Challenged the Lord’s Day Act, which enforced Sunday closures. Supreme Court ruled it violated freedom of religion. Strengthened religious freedom under the Charter.
  • R. v. Oakes (1986)

    R. v. Oakes (1986)

    Established the “Oakes Test” to justify limits on Charter rights. Reinforced the presumption of innocence. Became a key legal tool in rights analysis.
  • Abortion Rights – R. v. Morgentaler (1988)

    Abortion Rights – R. v. Morgentaler (1988)

    Supreme Court struck down abortion restrictions as unconstitutional. Recognized women’s right to bodily autonomy. Made abortion legal and accessible across Canada.
  • Canadian Employment Equity Act (1995)

    Canadian Employment Equity Act (1995)

    Aimed to improve workplace representation for marginalized groups. Applied to federally regulated employers. Focused on women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.
  • Delgamuukw v. British Columbia (1997)

    Delgamuukw v. British Columbia (1997)

    Recognized Aboriginal title as a legal right. Emphasized the importance of oral history in land claims. Set a precedent for future Indigenous land rights cases.
  • Vriend v. Alberta (1998)

    Vriend v. Alberta (1998)

    Alberta’s human rights law excluded sexual orientation. Supreme Court ruled this violated the Charter. Forced provinces to protect LGBTQ+ rights.
  • R. v. Marshall (1999)

    R. v. Marshall (1999)

    Affirmed Mi’kmaq treaty rights to fish and trade. Recognized the legal validity of 18th-century treaties. Sparked national debate on Indigenous resource rights.
  • Same-Sex Marriage (2005)

    Same-Sex Marriage (2005)

    Civil Marriage Act legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Canada became the 4th country to do so. Affirmed equality and dignity for LGBTQ+ couples.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008–2015)

    Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008–2015)

    investigated the legacy of residential schools. Collected testimony from over 6,000 survivors. Issued 94 Calls to Action to promote reconciliation.