Equality for all is a concept many have difficulty accepting. However, Canada’s society has advanced far from the exclusive actions of the past and has grown to become a “cultural mosaic.” The many individuals and activist groups who have advocated fearlessly for equal human rights are credited for their outspoken manner and the change Canada underwent during the early 1900’s. Whether successful or not, these activist leaders forced the Canadian government to address social inequality as well as racist and problematic policies that were prevalent in society. During this time, women did not share the same political and workplace rights as men, which was the main concern of many women’s activist groups who fought for strong female roles and rights …show more content…
As a result, the development, strength and influence of unions as advocates for employees in Canada in the 1900’s has had tangible results. The Relief Camp Workers’ Union went on protest across Canada demanding increased salaries, better hygienic working conditions and recognition of their union. Deciding to directly put pressure on the Prime Minister, the union travelled to Regina, but was prevented passage by the RCMP. After the leaders were granted direct communication with the Prime Minister, they achieved double their original pay and the removal of the Department of National Defence’s control over the camps. While not all of the union’s demands were properly addressed, the strike sparked the development of unemployment insurance in 1940. “The relief camps were shut down, and the seeds were sown for a new welfare system, including unemployment insurance.” (“On-to-Ottawa Trek:Aftermath”) The first event on the road towards industrial unionism in Canada was the General Motors Strike that took place in Oshawa it became a time of celebration for workers across the country. Leaving their stable work, many Canadians supported the United Automobile Workers, who advocated for an eight hour work day, better work conditions and the acknowledgement of the newly formed union. The company recognized into the workers’ demands in order to remain competitive and the General Motor’s …show more content…
During the early 1900’s, Aboriginals became more integrated in society and became more conscious of the inequality and the rights they were denied. Angered by the discrimination, the Allied Tribes of British Columbia was created to force the British Council to make a legal resolution regarding the Aboriginals’ land claims and to gain support for equal rights. Although rejected by the council, the community honoured their attempt and believed they “contributed to the long and successful history of political activism among First Nations in British Columbia.” (UBCIC) Shocked by the denial, labour workers in coastal areas formed the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia, replacing the Allied Tribes. Their goal was to create “opportunities to build a native plan for the future” (Tonio Sadik) by rekindling the Allied Tribes’ demands, including concerns about education, taxes, healthcare and pension plans. Due to their success and popularity, the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia remained an organization which currently promotes fishing rights for the British Columbia community. Frederick Loft, a war veteran and nation activist, organized the League of Indians following World War Two. He hoped to achieve the right to vote without Aboriginals abandoning their status and to fish, trap or hunt on their reserves without interference from the
How were revolutionary industrial unionists in Winnipeg influenced to strike in 1919? All Canadians have heard of the Winnipeg General Strike, and many have studied its influences. Coming immediately after the First World War, yet coming before the Great Depression hit, many wonder why Winnipeg workers took up arms when they did? In truth, the strikers were primarily industrial unionists who wanted a revolution. The strikers were aiming for a major difference in the government. Now, to the non-Canadian, Canada has always seemed perfectly calm and neutral. Many would go as far as wondering how Canada could ever have any problems. Therefore, hardly anybody knows of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, let alone what caused the strike. Simply put, revolutionary industrial unionists within Canada were influenced to strike by Canada’s involvement in the First World War, the quick and incredible success of Russia’s revolution in 1917, and inflation within the country.
1919 Winnipeg General Strike was Canada's most influential labour action. After World War I many Canadian soldiers returned home to find few opportunities, all while companies had enjoyed enormous profits on war contracts. Wages and working conditions were dismal and labour regulations were mostly non-existent.
In the year 1957, Canada elected its first Prime minister without English or French root, John Diefenbaker. While growing up in the city of Toronto, because of his German name, he was often teased. [1] He grew up as an outcast, and so he was able to relate to the discrimination and inequality many of the minorities in Canada felt. This essay will attempt to answer the question: To what extent did Prime Minister John Diefenbaker help promote equality to the minority communities. . The minorities in this time period were the women, aboriginals, and immigrants. During his time as the Prime Minister, he was able to help protect the rights of this group because many of their rights were being abused by the society. Diefenbaker also helped the minorities to stand up for themselves and other groups. Diefenbaker was able to bring positive change to the minority communities by making an official Bill of Rights and appointing people of discriminated groups to the parliament while other members did not.
“Industrial unions dominated the landscape of the late nineteen century U.S. labor movement.” They gathered all level workers together without discrimination of gender, race, or nationality. They declared the eight-hour workday for the first time when normal work time should be 12. Low wage of workers caused the “Great Strike of 1877”, which began with railroad workers in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. After the “Great Strike”, industrial union started to
Technology played an important role in the daily lives of Americans in the 1920s. Many inventions and new developments occurred during this time. A large number of items that are used today were invented by individuals and teams in research laboratories. This technology brought many conveniences such as electrical power and indoor plumbing into the home. Radios gave people access to the news and provided entertainment. Mass culture was also born and the automobile became the largest consumer product of the decade. By 1929, one in five Americans had an automobile on the road. America experienced a decade of economic growth due to the impact of technology in the 1920s.
The 1920’s was a period of extremely economic growth and personal wealth. America was a striving nation and the American people had the potential to access products never manufactured before. Automobile were being made on an assembly line and were priced so that not just the rich had access to these vehicles, as well as, payment plans were made which gave the American people to purchase over time if they couldn't pay it all up front. Women during the First World War went to work in place of the men who went off to fight. When the men return the women did not give up their positions in the work force. Women being giving the responsibility outside the home gave them a more independent mindset, including the change of women's wardrobe, mainly in the shortening of their skirts.
During the 1960's and 70's, North America saw the rise of a counterculture movement which instigated societal change. During this time period, the Women's Liberation movement was able to establish females as being equal to males in virtually every aspect. It is this movement that educated society about the role of women in society being equal to the role of man. Many people however, now consider that women's liberation has been achieved; but this is far from the case. Despite being officially recognised as contributing members of society (achieved in 1982 with the final draft of the Constitution Act), as section 28 of...
Developed countries have often pride themselves as role models on issues of social equality to developing countries; however, gender, ethnic, and class disparity is prevalent in ‘wealthy’ countries. More importantly, it is implicit in that citizens believe that social equality exists, but in actuality disadvantaged individuals and groups still face several obstacles in reaching such equality. This paper will specifically focus on gender inequality in Canada. Canada is a country that has deemed itself as a progressive society due to its multicultural and hospitable character in which legislati...
The Person’s Case is a great example of a political change that took place in Canada during the time frame of 1914 and 1938. After The Famous Five won their case, some change began. This event slowly changed the outlook of women across Canada. It proved that women were also persons, and capable of being in politics. In the 1920’s, women were still mainly seen as homemakers. For example,”In 1929, shortly after the person’s case, women made up 20% of the workforce. But they only worked in traditional female jobs that paid less than men.” (1) But, after the war, “They were expected to give up their jobs, and take care of their husbands and families.” (2) Even though the Person’s Case was done due to the unequal treatment of women in politics and the labour force, it also affected their respect in other fields. After World War One, “women were considered to...
To begin, during the 19th and early 20th centuries Canada was industrializing; thus, there was a shift from rural farming to urban industrialism. This meant that women could no longer participate in the family earning, the family act of living off of the fruits of your labour from the farm because men were being moved to the factories were there existed a wage. Women were excluded from this type of employment because there of an ‘ideology of domesticity’ that claimed that “women were to be mothers and housewives and to exhibit piety, purity, domesticity and submissiveness.” There was a belief that if women entere...
Gender equality had always been a vast topic for the ancients to solve and for modern society to improve on. From the society's early beginning of Masculinity to the gender equality contemporary world that we are maintaining, year 2016 has been exactly a century since women in Canada had first received their right to vote in the 20th century. In today’s world, it is not uncommon or abnormal for abounding amounts of females voting or running for political parties. This hundred-year recognition was earned through many female’s and male’s withstand to rights for women to vote. Many trials and obstacles were present for women when they were fighting for their right
Systemic discrimination has been a part of Canada’s past. Women, racial and ethnic minorities as well as First Nations people have all faced discrimination in Canada. Policies such as, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal Human Rights Codes, as well has various employment equity programs have been placed in Canada’s constitution to fight and address discrimination issues. Despite these key documents placed for universal rights and freedoms Aboriginal and other minority populations in Canada continue to be discriminated against. Many believe there is no discrimination in Canada, and suggest any lack of success of these groups is a result of personal decisions and not systemic discrimination. While others feel that the legislation and equality policies have yet resulted in an equal society for all minorities. Racism is immersed in Canadian society; this is clearly shown by stories of racial profiling in law enforcement.
“Honey, you’re not a person, now get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich!” If a husband were to say these words to his wife today, he would likely receive a well-deserved smack to the face. It is not until recently that Canadian women have received their status as people and obtained equal rights as men. Women were excluded from an academic education and received a lesser pay than their male counter parts. With the many hardships women had to face, women were considered the “slave of slaves” (Women’s Rights). In the past century, women have fought for their rights, transitioning women from the point of being a piece of property to “holding twenty-five percent of senior positions in Canada” (More women in top senior positions: Report). The Married Women’s Property Act, World War I, The Person’s Case, and Canadian Human Rights Act have gained Canadian women their rights.
Society has long since considered women the lessor gender and one of the most highly debated topics in society through the years has been that of women’s equality. The debates began over the meaning between a man and woman’s morality and a woman’s rights and obligations in society. After the 19th Amendment was sanctioned around 1920, the ball started rolling on women’s suffrage. Modern times have brought about the union of these causes, but due to the differences between the genetic makeup and socio demographics, the battle over women’s equality issue still continues to exist. While men have always held the covenant role of the dominant sex, it was only since the end of the 19th century that the movement for women’s equality and the entitlement of women have become more prevalent. “The general consensus at the time was that men were more capable of dealing with the competitive work world they now found themselves thrust into. Women, it was assumed, were unable to handle the pressures outside of the home. They couldn’t vote, were discourages from working, and were excluded from politics. Their duty to society was raising moral children, passing on the values that were unjustly thrust upon them as society began to modernize” (America’s Job Exchange, 2013). Although there have been many improvements in the changes of women’s equality towards the lives of women’s freedom and rights in society, some liberals believe that women have a journey to go before they receive total equality. After WWII, women continued to progress in there crusade towards receiving equality in many areas such as pay and education, discrimination in employment, reproductive rights and later was followed by not only white women but women from other nationalities ...
The conflict over living conditions in Canada has been ongoing. Perhaps Canada’s most forceful movement towards change was the Winnipeg General Strike, during the summer of 1919. The strike was caused by the working class’ desire to rise out of poverty. The government hastily tried to suppress the strike by deporting the strike leaders, using gunfire to disperse crowds, and eventually ‘punishing’ the people by dismissing them from their jobs. The Winnipeg General Strike was ultimately detrimental to the wellbeing of working class Winnipeggers due to the government’s infringement of democratic ideals.