Inquiry and Seminar

Mid 1960’s to Mid 1980’s

Events Timeline

    • 1960- Native men and women are granted complete franchise on July 1.
    • public health men1960- In December, birth control pills are available for sale.
    • 1965 – Auto Pact – the landmark agreement with the United States that created thousands of job and made Canada a world leader in the car making industry.
    • 1965- Allan Gardens Riot
    • 1965 – Auto Pact – the landmark agreement with the United States that created thousands of job and made Canada a world leader in the car making industry.1967- The United Nations adopts the Declaration of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
    • 1967- Dr. Henry Morgentaler urges the repeal of the abortion laws and later opens an abortion clinic in Montreal.
    • 1968- The new Federal Divorce Act establishes a uniform divorce law, allowing for divorce on the basis of marital breakdown as well as for adultery and mental or physical cruelty.
    • 1969- The Criminal Code is amended to permit abortions under certain circumstances. In some hospitals, therapeutic abortion committees are formed.
    • 1969- The Criminal Code and Food and Drug Acts is amended, allowing contraceptive devices and certain drugs to be manufactured, sold, and advertised under the supervision of the Food and Drug Directorate.
    • 1969- White paper on Indian Policy written by the Federal Government proposing the abolishment of Indian status.
    • 1969- BC government creates the Human Rights Act
    • 1970- The Royal Commission of the Status of Women created
    • 1970- Domestic terrorists kidnapped a cabinet minister and a British trade commission to promote Quebec independence
    • 1970s- Radical and Socialist feminism have a major impact on Women’s Studies as the field develops in Canada.
    • 1971- Gwen Landolt forms "The Right to Life", an anti-abortion organization.
    • 1971- Amendments to the Canadian Labour Code include: prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sex and marital status, strong reinforcement of the principle of equal pay for equal work, and the provision of 17 weeks of maternity leave.
    • 1971- Gastown Riots
    • 1972- Rosemary Brown is the first black woman elected to a provincial legislatureRosemary Brown as a member of the NDP in Vancouver.
    • 1972- The Income Tax Act allows the deduction of the cost of childcare from the income of working mothers.
    • 1973- The Ontario Advisory Council on the Status of Women is set up with Laura Sabia as chair.
    • The group Montreal Gay Women publishes 1973- The first Canadian lesbian journal, Long Time Coming.
    • 1973- BC government passes the Human Rights Code
    • 1973- The National Native Women’s Association is established in Winnipeg.
    • 1974- First women joined the RCMP
    • 1976- Montreal Olympics
    • 1977-Task Force on Canadian Unity formed
    • 1978- The Canadian Human Rights Act ensures equal pay for work of equal value. It also prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex, disability, and race.
    • 1978- The Canadian Advisory Council for the Status of Women reports that 43 of 122 recommendations of the Royal Commission of the Status of Women, that fell within the jurisdiction of the federal government, are fully implemented. 53 are partially implemented, 24 remain untouched, and 2 are unapplicable.
    • 1978- In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada grants half the property acquired in her husband’s name to Saskatchewan farm wife Helene Marie Rathwell.
    • childcare1978- The Omnibus Bill is passed, eliminating pregnancy as a basis for layoff or dismissal.
    • 1978- Judy Cameron is the first woman pilot hired by Air Canada.
    • 1979- The Feminist Party of Canada is launched in Toronto on June 10.
    • 1979- The Canadian Association for Repeal of the Abortion Law protests reduction in federal grants for family planning.
    • 1980- Jeanne Suave is the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons.
    • 1980- Fishermen’s wives get jobless benefits as unemployment insurance is granted to 10,000 women working with their husbands.
    • 1982-Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms passed.
    • 1982- Bertha Wilson is the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court.
    • 1987- The Supreme Court states that sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination and that employers who tolerated it would be held responsible.