Rights

After being largely shut out of constitutional discussions taking place between the government and Aboriginal organizations on the issue of Aboriginal right to self-governance, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) opposed the Charlottetown Accord reached by the federal and provincial leaders in 1992. It argued that their exclusion from the discussions was a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that they would not accept Aboriginal self-government without the equal rights of Indigenous women being protected in any new Constitution. During the 1992 round of constitutional debate the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) also took a controversial stand against the Charlottetown Accords, arguing for the need to protect the equality rights for women won in the 1982 Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In August 1992, the NAC and NWAC held a joint conference and consultation to share their points of view and discuss what action to take.

This subsection contains material on women’s rights in Canada, particularly related to the fight for inclusion and and later interpretations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as provincial, territorial and other Rights legislation, statements, and codes. There is significant overlap with materials in the subsection related to Laws especially where tied to implementation and interpretation of these Rights through governmental legislation and programs.

Archival Materials

Buttons
A Date with Equality – April 17, 1985

  • Year created:

    1985

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
This French language button was created for the Ad Hoc Women and the Constitution Conference held in Ottawa on February 14, 1981, during the debate over the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. About 1,300 women from across the country attended. The event was organized by feminist groups following the federal government’s cancellation of a constitutional conference planned by the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. The ad hoc conference called for a stronger equality-rights clause and a specific guarantee of equal rights between men and women. Both reforms were included in the final Charter.
Conférence Constitution. Ottawa – Feb 14 1981

  • Year created:

    1981

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    French
"Jobs and Rights for Women" is the theme of this button for the Toronto International Women's Day March and Rally in 1979.
International Women’s Day 1979 (Toronto) – Jobs and Rights for Women

  • Year created:

    1979

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
In 1988, Karen Andrews, with the support of her union CUPE, successfully took the Ontario Health Insurance Plan to court to broaden the definition of family to include her lesbian partner and her children so they could be covered by her benefits.
We are Family – Karen Andrews/Local 1996 – Access to OHIP Committee

  • Year created:

    1996

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
This button was produced by the Canadian government to mark 1975 as International Women's Year, so designated by the United Nations. The UN began marking March 8th as International Women's Day the same year. It also designated the decade from 1975-1985 as the Decade for Women. A world conference held in 1975 in Mexico established a set of goals to advance women's rights over these ten years. In 1985, the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the UN Decade for Women convened in Nairobi.
Why Not? International Women’s Year 1975

  • Year created:

    1975

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
On February 14, 1981, during the debate over the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, about 1,300 women from across the country held their own Ad Hoc Women and the Constitution Conference in Ottawa. This event was organized by feminist groups following the federal government’s cancellation of a constitutional conference planned by the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. The ad hoc conference called for a stronger equality-rights clause and a specific guarantee of equal rights between men and women. Both reforms were included in the final Charter.
Women and the Constitution – February 14 1981

  • Year created:

    1981

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English

Documents
1982 International Women’s Day Week (Ottawa)

  • Year created:

    1982

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Aboriginal Women’s Rights Are Human Rights: Canadian Human Rights Act Review

  • Year created:

    2000andafter

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
AGM & Lobby (1991): Annual Report (1990-1991)

  • Year created:

    1991

  • Author(s):

    Judy Rebick, Janet Maher

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English and French
Angela Davis: International Women’s Day 1985

  • Year created:

    1985

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Background Paper (Executive Summary): Women’s Reproductive Health, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Canada Health Act

  • Year created:

    1989

  • Author(s):

    Sheilah Martin

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Background Paper: Bill C-31, Equality or Disparity? The Effects of the New Indian Act on Native Women

  • Year created:

    1987

  • Author(s):

    Joan Holme

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Communiqué: CACSW Finds Federal Abortion Legislation Unconstitutional (Press Release)

  • Year created:

    1989

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Congress of Canadian Women – International Women’s Day Celebration 

  • Year created:

    1980

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Current Status of Abortion in Canada (The History of the Issue)

  • Year created:

    1975

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Highlights from Canadian Charter Equality Rights for Women: One Step Forward or Two Steps Back?

  • Year created:

    1989

  • Author(s):

    Gwen Brodsky, Shelagh Day

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Human Rights: Refugee Rights

  • Year created:

    1994

  • Author(s):

    Judith Ramirez

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
International Women’s Day Celebration

  • Year created:

    1974

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Issues & Campaigns (1991): Women Offer 52% Solution

  • Year created:

    1991

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Issues & Campaigns (1992): Come Out Against a Bad Deal

  • Year created:

    1992

  • Author(s):

    Diane Kilby, Anne Molgat

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Issues & Campaigns (1992): Women’s Constitutional Conference

  • Year created:

    1992

  • Author(s):

    Judy Rebick

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Letter – OSOMM and Political Activities (1984)

  • Year created:

    1984

  • Author(s):

    Lucie Richardson, Mary Anne Jablonski, Gayle Siford , Leslie Taylor , Susan Kerr

  • Region:

    Alberta

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Canada Infrastructure Works Safety Audits (1994)

  • Year created:

    1994

  • Author(s):

    Sheila Flinstone

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Canadian Forces Superannuation Act (2002)

  • Year created:

    2000andafter

  • Author(s):

    Neil R. Wilson

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Changes to Canadian Forces’ Regulations (1988)

  • Year created:

    1988

  • Author(s):

    Perrin Beatty

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Dependants Education System (1986)

  • Year created:

    1986

  • Author(s):

    Harvie Andre

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Education for Dependents of Military Members & Their Spouses (1986)

  • Year created:

    1986

  • Author(s):

    Harvie Andre

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Nancy Rowell Jackman Award (1990)

  • Year created:

    1990

  • Author(s):

    Mary Collins

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – OSOMM and Political Activities Response (1985)

  • Year created:

    1985

  • Author(s):

    Erik Nielsen

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Pension Advisory Committee (1992)

  • Year created:

    1992

  • Author(s):

    Mai Dang

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Pension Advisory Committee (1994)

  • Year created:

    1994

  • Author(s):

    Arthur C. Eggleton

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Pension Plan Lawsuit (1990)

  • Year created:

    1990

  • Author(s):

    Marlene Catterall

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Royal Commission Request (1985/1986)

  • Year created:

    1985

  • Author(s):

    Mary Anne Jablonski, Leslie Taylor, Lucie Richardson, Gayle Siford, Susan Kerr

  • Region:

    Alberta

  • Language:

    English
Letter – Social Change & National Defence Conference (1990)

  • Year created:

    1990

  • Author(s):

    Mary Collins

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letter to OSSOMM: Membership in NAC (1986)

  • Year created:

    1986

  • Author(s):

    Majorie Cohen, Moira Armour

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Letters – Fort Henry Heights Survey (1987)

  • Year created:

    1987

  • Author(s):

    Lucie Richardson, I. Fleming

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English and French
Letters – Petition Circulation (1987)

  • Year created:

    1987

  • Author(s):

    Lucie Richardson

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Letters – Political Activity (1985-1989)

  • Year created:

    --

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English and French
Letters – Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF) – 1985-1987

  • Year created:

    --

  • Author(s):

    Shelagh Day, Gwen Brodsky

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Letters Patent (1993)

  • Year created:

    1993

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Media Alert: CACSW Published Women’s Reproductive Health, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Canada Health Act

  • Year created:

    1989

  • Author(s):

    Sheilah Martin

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English and French
Minutes – Organization of Spouses of Military Members Meeting – April 1998

  • Year created:

    1998

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Minutes – Organization of Spouses of Military Members Meeting – June 2, 1990

  • Year created:

    1990

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
Native Women and the Constitution: An I.R.I.W. Publication

  • Year created:

    1981

  • Author(s):

    Indian Rights for Indian Women (IRIW)

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Never Again! Fight Back! Pamphlet

  • Year created:

    1981

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
New Feminists Letter on Human Rights Code

  • Year created:

    --

  • Region:

    Ontario

  • Language:

    English
News Release: Canadian Forces to Change Political Activities Regulations (1988)

  • Year created:

    1988

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Reports (1977): Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs

  • Year created:

    1977

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
Why You Need To Be At The Constitutional Table

  • Year created:

    --

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English

Films

Still from the film "Democracy à la Maude" featuring a black and white archival photograph of white women and children marching in the street.
Democracy à la Maude

  • Year created:

    1998

  • Filmmaker(s):

    Patricia Kearns

  • Language:

    English

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)
Still from footage of the constitutional conference in 1981 featuring a large group of white feminists sitting in a room in Parliament. Many of them are raising their hands to vote on a motion.
Footage from the Women and the Constitution Conference 1981

  • Year created:

    1981

  • Filmmaker(s):

    unknown

  • Language:

    English

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)
Still from the film "Rising Up Strong" featuring a blurry archival image of white women holding placards that say "Farah Workers Strike!".
Rising Up Strong: Women Organizing for Change

  • Year created:

    1981

  • Filmmaker(s):

    Linda Briskin and Lorna Weir

  • Language:

    English

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

Photos

Posters
The Women’s Constitutional Conference

  • Year created:

    1992

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English
After being largely shut out of constitutional discussions taking place between the government and Aboriginal organizations on the issue of Aboriginal right to self-governance, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) opposed the Charlottetown Accord reached by the federal and provincial leaders in 1992. It argued that their exclusion from the discussions was a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that they would not accept Aboriginal self-government without the equal rights of Indigenous women being protected in any new Constitution. During the 1992 round of constitutional debate the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) also took a controversial stand against the Charlottetown Accords, arguing for the need to protect the equality rights for women won in the 1982 Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In August 1992, the NAC and NWAC held a joint conference and consultation to share their points of view and discuss what action to take.
The Women’s Constitutional Conference – August 24, 1992

  • Year created:

    --

  • Region:

    National (all of Canada)

  • Language:

    English