Case study: Women

Context card

Context card	Source: Reg Innell, Toronto Star Photo Archive	In 1867, at Confederation, only men could vote in provincial and federal elections. In the decades that followed, women formed groups to promote equality and to fight for the right to vote. Their actions included lobbying governments, marching and presenting petitions. At the time, voters lists for both provincial and federal elections were created by the provinces. Because of this, women’s groups focused their efforts on getting the right to vote at the provincial level. The first successes came in 1916, when Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta gave women the vote. Two years later, in 1918, the federal election law changed to give women the same voting rights as men. This did not mean that all women could vote in federal elections. Some women continued to be barred from voting for reasons other than their gender. For example, women as well as men could be excluded based on their racial background. It was not until decades later that all Canadian citizens obtained the right to vote in federal elections.

Black and white photograph of a young women placing her ballot in a metal ballot box, while smiling. — Source: Reg Innell, Toronto Star Photo Archive

In 1867, at Confederation, only men could vote in provincial and federal elections. In the decades that followed, women formed groups to promote equality and to fight for the right to vote. Their actions included lobbying governments, marching and presenting petitions.

At the time, voters lists for both provincial and federal elections were created by the provinces. Because of this, women’s groups focused their efforts on getting the right to vote at the provincial level. The first successes came in 1916, when Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta gave women the vote.

Two years later, in 1918, the federal election law changed to give women the same voting rights as men. This did not mean that all women could vote in federal elections. Some women continued to be barred from voting for reasons other than their gender. For example, women as well as men could be excluded based on their racial background. It was not until decades later that all Canadian citizens obtained the right to vote in federal elections.

Activity cards

1867	Source: Library and Archives Canada, PA-091061	At Confederation, only men who are 21 or older and who own property are able to vote. Women are disqualified from voting both federally and provincially.

1876	Source: Library and Archives Canada, PA-028033	The National Council of Women is formed to fight for women’s right to vote. Similar groups spring up across Canada.

1885	Source: Library and Archives Canada, C-010143	Prime Minister John A. Macdonald proposes granting federal voting rights to widows or single women who own property. The proposal is withdrawn due to opposition in Parliament. Voting rights for women do not change.

1885

Black and white photograph of Sir John A. MacDonald standing in front of a fireplace, one hand on his hip, the other touching an open book on a small table beside him. — Source: Library and Archives Canada, C-010143

Prime Minister John A. Macdonald proposes granting federal voting rights to widows or single women who own property.

The proposal is withdrawn due to opposition in Parliament. Voting rights for women do not change.

1916	Source: Foote and James, Archives of Manitoba, PR1967-43, N9905	Manitoba is the first province in Canada to grant women the same voting rights as men. Some women are still barred from voting for reasons other than their gender. It took decades of political action for Manitoba women to achieve this success. Over 40,000 people signed the final petition for women’s voting rights.

1916

Black and white photograph showing four women seated around a table. On the table is a large stack of paper. — Source: Foote and James, Archives of Manitoba, PR1967-43, N9905

Manitoba is the first province in Canada to grant women the same voting rights as men. Some women are still barred from voting for reasons other than their gender.

It took decades of political action for Manitoba women to achieve this success. Over 40,000 people signed the final petition for women’s voting rights.

1917	Source: William Rider-Rider, Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-002279 (modified from the original). Colourized image courtesy of the Vimy Foundation.	During the First World War, some women are allowed to vote in federal elections. They can vote if they are serving in the war effort or are relatives of military men. Here, Canadian military nurses cast their ballots while serving in France.

1917

Photograph of a group of female military nurses lining up and voting outside during the First World War. — Source: William Rider-Rider, Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-002279 (modified from the original). Colourized image courtesy of the Vimy Foundation.

During the First World War, some women are allowed to vote in federal elections. They can vote if they are serving in the war effort or are relatives of military men.

Here, Canadian military nurses cast their ballots while serving in France.

1918	Source: The Grey Roots Archival Collection	Canadian women win the right to vote in federal elections under the same conditions as men. A year later, they also win the right to run as a candidate for the House of Commons. Agnes Macphail is the first woman elected to Parliament, in 1921.

1918

Black and white photograph of Agnes Macphail, seated. — Source: The Grey Roots Archival Collection

Canadian women win the right to vote in federal elections under the same conditions as men. A year later, they also win the right to run as a candidate for the House of Commons.

Agnes Macphail is the first woman elected to Parliament, in 1921.

1940	Source: André Larose, Library and Archives Canada, PA-178194	Quebec removes the gender restrictions on voting in provincial elections. It is the last province to do so, after opposing the idea for decades. It took the efforts of activists like Thérèse Casgrain to create this change.

1940

Black and white photograph of Thérèse Casgrain. — Source: André Larose, Library and Archives Canada, PA-178194

Quebec removes the gender restrictions on voting in provincial elections. It is the last province to do so, after opposing the idea for decades.

It took the efforts of activists like Thérèse Casgrain to create this change.

1960	Source: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, John G. Diefenbaker fonds MG 411, JGD 3636	All First Nations people, women and men, are given the right to vote in federal elections without any conditions. Before this, they could vote only if they gave up their Treaty rights and status. Here, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker greets a First Nations woman and child in Yellowknife.

1960

Black and white photograph showing Prime Minister John Diefenbaker shaking hands with a First Nations woman, amid a small crowd of people of all ages. The woman has her arm around a young child. — Source: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, John G. Diefenbaker fonds MG 411, JGD 3636

All First Nations people, women and men, are given the right to vote in federal elections without any conditions. Before this, they could vote only if they gave up their Treaty rights and status.

Here, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker greets a First Nations woman and child in Yellowknife.

1993	Source: The Canadian Press / Phil Snel	Kim Campbell becomes the first—and so far only—female prime minister of Canada. She takes over the position when the previous prime minister resigns.