Is Canada A Better Country Now Than It Was Before?

Throughout History, Canada's advancements in women's rights, racial equality, and political equality have made Canada become a better country now than it was before. Through hard work and dedication, Women have stood up for rights such as voting, jobs, and to be given the same opportunities and respect as men. Canada has created federal laws to protect racial groups from discrimmintation such as The Canadian Human Rights Act and The Canadian Multiculturalism Act, and in 1970 the Canadian election act changed the minimum voting age to 18 and the vote was opened to all Canadian citizens. In later years they extended the vote to airline crews, lumber and survey teams, and trappers. These events in history have made Canada a better country today..

Canada has improved greatly in women's rights and equality for the sexes. Canada started in a dark place regarding Women's rights.They had little to no political presence, they were expected to stay home and take care of the house and children, while the men made the wages. Luckily progress in education for women started in 1842 when the percentage of girls in school rose from 23.1% to 75.6% in 1881.​^[1]​ During this increase, more women could receive training and opportunity to become paid teachers in the workforce. Education for girls and women has improved from before when young girls would attend "dame" schools run by Canadian women.​² Looking at the 1900s from 1914 to 1921 women's ​ rights and treatment has improved from prior​ to this time. The war helped women's political presence, as many decisions and opinions from the public were mostly women, due to men gone at war. Women were also given jobs that had never been offered to them before, like heavy labour force industry jobs. Jumping to 1960 to 1985 a huge women's rights movement took place. Women peacefully protested for equality in education, peace and disarmament, employment, birth control, and end of violence against women. It wasn't until 1980 that Canada signed the UN convention on eliminating all forms of discrimmination against women which is a international bill of rights for women. The movement continued in 1982 when the Canadian women's studies association was founded and incited five regional chairs in women's studies. These actions have inspired women in today's society to take initiative and advocate for gender equality. In the early 2000s feminists and unions advanced equality agendas from pay equity and anti-harassment initiatives, to parental leave and throughout the 21st century women continue to stand up for women's rights.^[2]​ ^​ The integrity and perseverance women have withheld to improve women's rights and equality have changed the way Canada as a country treats them and has made the country better and stronger because of it.

Canada is a better country now because of how far we have come in racial equality. Unfortunately, throughout World War One Austro Hungarians and German immigrants were not welcomed to Canada. They were named enemy aliens and faced many prejudices. Thousands were placed in internment camps while black, Chinese, and Japanese people faced harsh discrimination and unfairness in their everyday lives. It wasn't until after World War Two that some minorities were more respected after their service to the war, such as Ukraine Canadians and Chinese Canadians. Canada recognized these past mistakes and in 1948 when the country signed the United Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights which allowed South Asians the right to vote and Japanese Cnanadians the ability to vote in 1949.^[3]​ ^​ In 1982 the charter of rights and freedoms was extended from not just British and French but other ethnicities as well. The Charter Of Rights And Freedoms was to "specifically addresses the constitutional rights that are necessary in a democratic society, and all Canadian law must be consistent with the Charter" (Frideres)^[4]​ ^​ This act is targeted towards calling out discriminatory statements and inciting hatred to a group based on ethnicity and skin color. Canada's federal and provincial laws make Canada a safer place for religious groups, cultural expressions etc. Throughout the last couple decades Canada has improved in the protection of ethnic groups and fighting racism. Racial equality has improved since the beginning of World War One and our country's inclusion towards immigrants, other racial groups, religions, and cultures have been respected through The Charter Of Rights And Freedoms and various Acts.

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Canada's improvement in political equality has made the country better now than it was before. Throughout history, the Canadian has made poor decisions regarding the Canadian people and the country. In the 1900s political equality was looking better for Canadians. In 1914 parliament implemented the war measures act, federal law which gave the federal government the power to suspend all rights, transfer authority from parliament to cabinet. This act helped keep Canadians safe during the war from invasion or insurrection. During the second world war the government used the war measures act in order to execute the defence of Canada Regulations and for Wartime Prices and Trade Board. This was for the interest of the Canadian people, which helped Canadians pay rent and afford goods. In 1960, the Canadian Bill Of Rights adjusted the War measures act to protecting human rights and fundamental freedom. "The bill declared that fundamental freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and of the press were to be upheld regardless of race, national origin, color, religion or sex" (Smith).^[5]​ ^​ In section three of the Bill Of Rights is also declared that every citizen in Canada had the right to vote in an election. Aside from the bill of rights, during this era It had been unheard of for black, especially women, to be in a place of power. Rosemary Brown however accomplished great things in politics. In 1972 she ran for the New Democratic Party and won a seat as the first black woman in the legislative assembly of British Columbia.^[6]​ ^​ Canada has been prioritizing political equality since the 1900s. From the war measures act, to the Canadian Bill Of Rights to protect fundamental freedoms for all Canadians to opening politics up to other races and genders. This has evidently made Canada a much safer and free place to live.

Canada's improvement in women's rights, racial equality, and political equality have been seen and felt in today's society, making it a better country now than it was before. Through improvement in women's education, political presence, job opportunities and the treatment of women in Canada has released the gender norms of the past. Canada's racial equality and acceptance of all cultures and races has made this country better and safer than before. The standards of political equality through the prioritizing of keeping citizens safe, appointing a black woman to the legislative assembly and allowing everyone to vote have made Canada a better country now than it was before. Canada has made our country better than before through improving women's rights, racial equality, and political equality. The country has worked hard to make Canada a better country now than it was before.

[1] "Article Status of Women - The Canadian Encyclopedia." 7 Feb. 2006, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/status-of-wome2 n​. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

"Article Women and Education - The Canadian Encyclopedia." 7 Feb. 2006, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-and-education​. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

[2] ​"Article Women's Movements in Canada: 1985–present - The ...." 17 Oct. 2016, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/womens-movements-in-canada-1985present.​ Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

[3] "Prejudice and Discrimination in Canada | The Canadian ...." 10 Feb. 2011, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/prejudice-and-discrimination​. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

[4] "Racism | The Canadian Encyclopedia." 18 Jan. 2021, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/racism​. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

[5] "Article War Measures Act - The Canadian Encyclopedia." 25 Jul. 2013, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/war-measures-act.​ Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

[6] "Article Rosemary Brown - The Canadian Encyclopedia." 27 Jan. 2010, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rosemary-brown.​ Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.