According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, everyone has right of “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication” (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982). But this wasn’t the case in the 30’s. Minority rights were neglected throughout Canadian history because of the lack of attention given to them. But now, since there are actions being enforced to help against discrimination and racism, it has helped Canada in a positive way. The War Measures Act was one example of minority rights starting to grow. The Christie Pits riot was one negative aspect, but was addressed and it was made sure that something like that would never happen again. Also, the Canadian Charter of Rights and …show more content…
It started with a group of men who were unfolding a black swastika painted on a bed sheet. Then, the Jewish baseball team who just finished a game rushed at them and tried to destroy the flag. And that was how the riot started. Everyone grabbed whatever came to hand. The Christie Pits riot changed Canada in a big way. We have had a good history and is known to be diverse, and when a great act of hate uproars like this, it would taint our history. According to an interview done by CBC, during Hitler’s time period, “Catholic’s were attacked and Jews, Blacks, and Chinese were hated” (CBC, 2013). Nobody had seen this much hate in Canada. If the province or government wanted to do something, they would have stepped in. But the event was unaccounted for. But after it happened, the Canadian government made sure that there would not be a second part. The Christie Pits was more towards a neutral event because it only occurred once and because after it happened, that’s when the government stepped in and made sure nothing else would happen. Although it was prevented from future repetition, it will not change what already
Making Canada great Again From 1942-1949 the Canadian government was responsible for the cruel internment of Japanese citizens in Canada. Ever since the first sailor Manzo-Nagano arrived in New Westminster, BC Japanese have experienced prejudice. Early BC settlers were extremely conscious of there ethnic origin and were extremely concerned with the racial origins of immigrants, they became obsessed with eliminating “undesirables” and as a result passed laws preventing them from voting, working in mines and other government funded projects.
With the example of the minor, in comparison, power imbalance between police and citizens, it is a valid point of concern that this inequality between individuals and the state could end very poorly. A group of respected, and notable Canadian Officials consisting of 22 significant political figures released a statement via the Globe and Mail and La Presse newspapers, expressing their concerns with the bill. Their main concern with the proposed ac was the fact it may lead to significant human rights violations: “… experience has shown that serious human rights abuses can occur in the name of maintaining national security.” Historical events, which have occurred in Canada, such as the War
When the Constitution Act was patriated, the role of courts in Canada changed significantly. The job of making sure that laws affecting individual rights are in accordance with the Charter now falls to them, and ultimately, the Supreme Court of Canada. Governments cannot pass laws that do not agree with the constitution - known as unconstitutional laws - because they can be stopped from ever coming into effect or getting ‘striked down’ by the courts. PM Trudeau had been a voice for a new Constitution since his first election campaign in 1965, in which he said, “I believe a constitution can permit the coexistence of several cultures and ethnic groups within a single state.” The Constitution Act of 1982 was also dedicated to shaping Canada’s independence.
The Canadian Government was not justified in its treatment of Japanese Canadians during the 1940’s as the government acted due to fear and prejudice rather than factual evidence. They were not a safety issue as it was proven even at the time that there was no security threat, the government itself realized it was not acceptable, and the fact that the injustice continued even after the war was over and a security threat was not even possible Although at the time there was a strong anti-Japnese sentiment which was heightened by propaganda, there were still high-level officials who believed in facts on why the treatment was unjustified and unacceptable in opposition to the government. The RCMP who were very concerned regarding the safety of the country found no evidence after conducting a search on Japanese Canadians. Stuart Wood, a RCMP commissioner, stated in a confidential letter, “ We have had no evidence of espionage or sabotage among the Japanese in British Columbia” (Wood).
Discrimination against minority groups has always been common, but invisible to the general public. The book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present by Maynard, Robyn highlights the “state violence against black persons in Canada” (Maynard, 2017, P.3). The author demonstrates solid connections between the issues of slavery in the past and the effects on modern society. Minority groups, especially African Canadians, who has been historically exploited and have been treated as tools more so than human beings. The book demonstrate these kind of treatment through Institutionalized racism, Neoliberalism and Deviance.
The standard of living is one of the highest in the world, it welcomes new immigrants, and there are many personal freedoms which are questioned in other parts of the world. Here, there is a Charter of Rights and Freedom that protects our individual rights. This charter, which came to be in 1982, is the basis of our Canadian society. It lays down the law, so that the limitations can be seen. Other countries also have similar documents, but Canada's has some unique qualities.
The city of Detroit is one of many cities that have had a significant impact on American culture. Moreover, Detroit also is important it was one of the cities that pioneered the civil rights movement. One of the major events that would go down as one of the most influential was the Race Riots of 1967, or more aptly known as the 12th Street Riots. The circumstances that lead to the riots were quite deep seated and bore historical significance. When, after the civil war slavery was abolished towards the end of the 19th century, many African Americans were left in doubts as to their future prospects.
McDuffie Riots The Biggest Riot In Dade County History After Arthur McDuffie was beaten to death by white Miami Dade County police officers, a series of riots broke out in Dade county, causing expensive damage and creating more racial tension. This riot placed 4th in America 's biggest riots, and had property damage of $181,000,000 . Miami 's Liberty City was filled with smoldering flames while people looted businesses. 18 people died, and more than $100,000,000 worth of property was destroyed.
Throughout the 1960’s, Pierre Trudeau made many significant changes regarding Canada’s Criminal Code through Bill C-150, after earning a seat in parliament for the Liberals in 1965. This bill took major steps towards the acceptance of homosexuality, made abortion possible for some women, put restrictions on firearms, made small scale gambling okay and put a limit on Blood Alcohol Concentration when driving. Before the late 1960's, there was a strong stigma around abortion and homosexuality, he started to change our country’s opinion on this as well as some other topics. Pierre was one of the people who began proving everyone was equal and began giving rights to those who otherwise had none. He created the basis of what our criminal code
Canadian/American relations have always been much like that of a brother and his younger sister. They are dependent on one another, and their bond is built off of friendship and trust. When battles occur, they ride in together, and when one is in need, support is given. In 1917, the Halifax Explosion devastated a section of Nova Scotia, and the size of the accident destroyed a large amount of both people and homes. The medicinal and reparation costs were more than the surrounding cities could afford.
Separatism is a very dangerous thing to play with because it will change not only Quebec but also the rest of Canada and not just how it looks on a map (Surette, 2014). If Canada’s most multicultural province separates at the cause of
Canada is now known to be a diverse, multicultural, bilingual and inclusive nation largely as a result of his work. Pierre Elliott Trudeau also believed in an equal Canada for all, he is primarily the one to introduce rights and freedoms to the citizens of Canada. While some view Pierre Trudeau as impulsive, for enforcing the War Measures Act, Trudeau enacted this for the protection of Canadian citizens against radical extremist and his actions were more rational than impulsive for the situation that had suddenly occurred. Pierre Trudeau was one of Canada’s greatest Prime Minister’s, who’s impact fundamentally changed the course of the nation by introducing multiculturalism, for introducing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and for paradoxically upholding democracy by strong action during the October Crisis.
Canadians are so used to this concept of freedom of speech that the government barely even bats an eyelash when it comes protests, democracy or change. A lot of Canadians take this for granted and some are even shocked when they hear that other people in the world get killed for speaking their mind. This culture of freedom has instilled an entitlement into Canadians even from when they were young, my daughter included. My daughter Sophie has grown up living a very privileged life, and sometimes look back and I’m amazed at the differences between our childhoods.
The improvement of the rights of the Canadian Immigrants Canada, as one of the biggest immigration countries, welcomes people from all over the the world and forms a representative multicultural atmosphere in today’s society. Over these few decays, the country has always been consummating the laws to provide immigrants equal rights and freedoms, and better treatments they could receive. However, Canadian immigration laws were not unprejudiced and it eventually caused a “legal discrimination” before 1976. The legal rights of the immigrant groups have improved significantly because of the demands of developing the country, the influences of the wars, and the globalization of the world. Since 1880s, more immigrants and foreigners came to Canada because of the railway construction project.
Before the Charter, many people may argue that Canada was a free and democratic country. Canadians had the freedom of expression, equality and the principles of fundamental justice. What changed with the creation of the Charter was that rights and freedoms were given constitutional status, and judges were given the power to strike down laws that infringed on them. In 1982, most Canadians agreed that the introduction of the Charter was going to monumental. But on the contrary, over 30 years later, numerous laws have been struck down by interpretation of the charter and remedial techniques that have been developed by courts.