1. Canada’s Historical Rights & Freedoms Violations

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Indian Act

5. 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

6. 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”

7. Women’s Vote

8. Women’s Vote

9. Ukrainian Internment - Causes
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

10. 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

11. Ukrainian Internment

12. 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

13. Italian Internment - Effect
Much like the Ukrainians Italian Citizens are placed in Internment camps and forced into labor
From 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.

14. Italian Internment
Christmas in Internment Camp

15. 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

16. Japanese Internment - Effect
20,000 men, women, and children are forced to leave their communities & placed in camps
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

17. Japanese Internment

21. Japanese Internment