The Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada was established in February 1967 by the Pearson Liberal government in response to pressure from national women’s groups, especially the Committee on Equality for Women (1966-1971). Its mandate was “to inquire and report upon the status of women in Canada, and to recommend what steps might be taken by the Federal Government to ensure for women equal opportunities with men in all aspects of Canadian Society”.

The Commission, chaired by Florence Bird, toured the country in 1967-68 and reported in 1970. It held public hearings in 14 cities in all provinces and territories, most of which were broadcast on the CBC. It received 469 briefs and about 1000 letters and it commissioned 34 studies. The Report of the Commission included 488 pages and made 167 recommendations of which 122 recommendations fell under the federal government’s jurisdiction.