Canada’s Historical Rights & Freedoms Violations

Indian Act - Causes 1867 – Canada becomes an independent country & former British Treaty’s with First Nations are no longer considered to adequately deal with the “Indian Problem” Canada’s colonial history means much of Canada has a predominately Ethnocentric point of view favoring white, western Europeans First Nations are not consulted about how to be Governed under the new Dominion of Canada 1876 – Canada Passes the Indian Act

Indian Act - Effect Restricted use of traditional clothing or ceremonies. Prevented First Nations involvement in politics Created ‘Reserve Land’ for FN use Indian Agents appointed by the gov’t overlook & ran all government on Reserves Created an Education Policy that led to Residential Schooling Needed to give up FN Status if you wanted the right to vote Still in effect today.

Indian Act https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHefD-cdTxU&t=23s

Women’s Vote - Causes Canada’s Elections Act banned Women (amongst others) from voting, or from running as candidates in elections – as they were not considered “full citizens” 1876 – Women begin to campaign for the right to vote Pro-Women’s vote groups begin to emerge, but must use “cover names” to avoid detection These beliefs are justified by the idea that women were too “sensitive”, ”disinterested” “uniformed” to be given such responsibility – and that it could cause the destruction of family & society! Women’s suffrage movements begin gaining momentum around the world

Women’s Vote - Effect 1918 – British Women over 21 receive the right to vote in Federal elections 1916 – 1940 – Women slowly gain the right to vote in Provincial elections – with Quebec being the last to concede in 1940 Eventual inspired changes to Canada’s electoral acts that see’s the lifting of voting bans on Asians, Inuits, and finally, First Nations Also inspired the continued advancement of Women’s rights in Canada – including right to be appointed to the Senate and to be declared “qualified persons”

Women’s Vote

Women’s Vote https://youtu.be/SdbG6EIHrbs

Ukrainian Internment - Causes 1914 - WWI begins and Canada goes to war against Germany and Austria- Hungary (which contains part of Ukraine) 1914 – Canada passes the War Measures Act for the gov’t to maintain “security” & “order” during the war. The War Measures act allowed for the government to make arrests (without just-cause) of German or Ukrainian Canadian Citizens Believed German/Ukrainian citizens may be acting as spies in Canada

Ukrainian Internment - Effect Homes & possession were seized Both Men and their families were detained in camps Had to work as laborer's and received no wages for work. Even after the War ended, many people were forced to stay in the camps and continue their work for free In 2005 Canada passes an Act recognizing this terrible event in Canadian History

Ukrainian Internment

Italian Internment - Causes June 10, 1940 – Italy declares War on Canada as we join WWII Canada uses War Measures Act to justify the arrests of Canadian citizens of Italian-descent Worried Italian-Canadians supported Italy’s/Mussolini’s fascist regime & harbored ill-will against Canada

Italian Internment - Effect Much like the Ukrainians Italian Citizens are placed in Internment camps and forced into labor From 1940-1943 Italian-Canadians were labelled “enemy aliens” therefore basically removing their title of “people” to justify treatments Approx 31,000 Canadians were labelled EA’s and 600 were sent to camps 1990 – PM Brian Mulroney officials apologizes.

Italian Internment Christmas in Internment Camp

Japanese Internment - Causes Canada already has Anti-Asian laws & values – including the Chinese Immigration ban & head tax Dec 7, 1941 – Japan attacks Pearl Harbor to announce its joining of WWII. USA & Canada promptly join WWII Citizens of Japanese ancestry are now considered potential enemies & are treated with suspicion & hatred Feb 1942 – Gov’t move ALL people of JPN origin away from West coast War Measures act is again used to justify treatment of Japanese-Canadians

Japanese Internment - Effect 20,000 men, women, and children are forced to leave their communities & placed in camps 1943 - Gov’t promised to safeguard their property, but instead sold off their homes, businesses, and possessions 1988 – Canadian gov’t formally apologizes to Japanese Canadians

Japanese Internment

Japanese Internment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8TQTuMqM9g