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| 25 May 2012 08:58 PM |
there was a time when canadian women could not vote, serve in public office, practice law, or even enroll in universities. what's more, women lost almost all of their rights - including the ability to own land - once they were married.
things began to change at the beginning of the 20th century when women started speaking up about the importance of equality. in the early 1900s, voting rights were granted in many provinces. by 1919, most women throughout the country were given the right to vote. it took another 42 years to extend that right to all women, regardless of race. |
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| 25 May 2012 09:03 PM |
| a landmark moment came in 1928 when a group of equality pioneers (later called the "famous five") petitioned for the right to be appointed to the senate. the constitution stated that "qualified persons" could serve on the senate, but many people assumed that this did not include women. the supreme court even ruled that the word "person" in section 24 of the british north america act did not include female persons. the famous five disagreed, and took their case to the judicial committee of the privy council, in london, england where the supreme court's ruling was overturned, allowing women to become senators. the first female senator, cairine reay wilson, was appointed four months later. |
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| 25 May 2012 09:17 PM |
key events in canadian women rights:
-1887 clara brett martin becomes canada's first lawyer and the first woman to practice law in the entire british empire.
-1919 most women are given the right to vote in federal elections.
-1921 agnes mcphail becomes canada's first female member of parliament. she is elected to the house of commons (canadian federal government building in ottawa) in the first federal election in which women were able to vote and run for president.
-1928 canada's olympic team includes women for the first time. the 4x100 meter relay team wins gold on the track, setting a world record in the process.
-1929 the judicial committee of the privy council overturns the supreme court of canada's decision that women could not be appointed to the senate. canada's first female senator is appointed four months later.
-1940 quebec (french speaking province of canada) becomes the final province to give women the right to vote in provincial elections.
-1956 the passing of the female employees equal pay act allows women to make the same amount of wages as men.
-1971 the federal government amends the canada labour code to prohibit discrimination based on gender and to reinforce equal pay for equal work.
-1977 march 8 is deemed international women's day in canada.
-1980 nova scotia's (maritime province in canada) alexa mcdonough is the first woman to be elected leader of a provincial political party holding seats in a legislature.
-1982 women's groups fight to ensure that the charter of rights and freedoms in the canadian constitution of 1982 includes gender equality.
-2000 beverly mclachlin is the first woman to become chief justice of canada. |
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signaal2
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| Joined: 10 Dec 2010 |
| Total Posts: 4234 |
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| 25 May 2012 09:20 PM |
| You are like goodbyejonathan exept with canada... |
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signaal2
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| Joined: 10 Dec 2010 |
| Total Posts: 4234 |
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| 25 May 2012 09:44 PM |
| I say we declare war on VAK, beca... Wait, wheres C&G? |
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| 25 May 2012 09:57 PM |
There was also a time when no women -not only in Canada, but in America, too- had no rights. And guess what? We have rights now. Really, don't bring this up.
Also,
inb4makemeasammich |
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