The Movement for Inclusion: Suffragettes and the Struggle for Equality

The Role of Women The struggle of Canadian women to obtain the vote marked the first significant challenge to the existing political paradigms concerning equality In 1900, the prevalent societal view was that the proper sphere for women was the home, where they could raise the children and serve the needs of the wage-earner, the husband.

Change in Ideologies Most women who worked were employed as domestics. Others sought work in factories Women comprised nearly one-half of the textile factory workers. Women seeking employment in offices were given clerical positions.

Challenging the Norm There were women who were prepared to challenge the idea that domestic life or employment in lower paying positions were the only options for women. Gaining entrance to university level education remained an obstacle. It was not until 1884 that McGill became the first Canadian university to admit women. (2001) 57 per cent of undergraduate students in Universities were women

The Vote Activists believed that women should receive equal rights, including the right to vote.

The Rights of Immigrants Many women found it unacceptable that the thousands of foreign immigrants who came to Canada after 1896 quickly qualified for the vote, while they were still denied that right.

Who Could Vote? Prior to 1916, only adult men had the right to vote. Not until 1918, the federal government gave women the right to vote. Inuit received the right to vote in , that all Canadian First Nations peoples received the right to vote.

Provincial Voting Rights The right to vote was extended to women, in most provinces, by the early 1920s: Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta 1916 Ontario and British Columbia 1917 Nova Scotia (1918), New Brunswick (1919) Prince Edward Island (1922). The suffrage movement in Quebec faced the active opposition of the Catholic hierarchy. (1940)

Discussion Do you believe that the status of women's rights have changed much, since the early 20 th century? What does the future hold for women’s rights?