What was the Women's Suffrage?
The women's suffrage is the right for women to vote and participate in politics, such as running for electoral office. In the early 20th century Canadian women had very few rights concerning their properties, children, and belongings. Many countries around the world including Britain, the United States of America and Sweden were also trying to gain equal rights within the Government, personal belongings, and the workforce.
All adult Canadian women were given the right to vote in federal elections in the year 1918.
All adult Canadian women were given the right to vote in federal elections in the year 1918.
Nellie McClung
Nellie McClung was one of the prominent leaders of the women's suffrage in Canada. From a young age, Nellie felt like both boys and girls should have equal rights. At the age of 16, Nellie was enrolled in a Manitoba Normal school for preparation of a teaching career. Nellie made it her duty to teach the children right and wrong, and how the boys and girls should be able to play together. She felt a concern towards all children who were not happy; she understood that not all women were as fortunate as her and she wanted to change the future of that. The biggest influence in Nellie's life was the Minister's wife, Annie McClung. Shortly after Nellie became acquainted with Mrs. McClung, she was introduced to her son, Robert Wesley McClung, and shortly thereafter they began to court. Robert and Nellie were wed on August 25th, 1896. Nellie and Annie McClung shared similar views, and both thought that if women obtained the right to vote, they could succeed in changing the liquor laws. Mrs. McClung then joined the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in hopes to gain equal suffrage in Manitoba. Due to her strong views and opinions, she soon became the League's most popular public speaker. Although Nellie had already given birth to a few of her children at this time, she made sure that they were always cared for and never neglected while continuing to be an active suffragette. On January 27th,1914, several hundred women and men from the WCTU and multiple other supporting groups from Manitoba gathered to speak on behalf of equal rights for women and improving working conditions for women. Mrs. McClung spoke a very well written and strongly opinionated speech to the Minister of Parliament, but the case was declined as it was deemed unsafe for women to lead. The WCTU did not take no for an answer: the next night of January 28th, 1914, the women of the league held a mock parliament with the purpose of bringing to the public the whole question of equal rights for women. The mock parliament did considerably well, having preformed two shows which were filled with supporters. Three months after the mock parliament, Mrs. McClung and her colleagues tried to persuade the Liberals to support votes for women. The Liberals agreed on condition that a petition would have to be signed by a large amount of Manitoba women. The Liberals lost that election. However, in the following election in 1915 the Liberals won, and the suffragettes had accumulated over 39,000 signatures. In January of 1916, two years to the day that Nellie McClung and her orderly army of women marched upon the Capital and the desired amendment to the Manitoba Election Act was given a third reading and was immediately passed. Manitoba took an early lead in gaining women's suffrage, as all adult citizens of Manitoba were finally able to partake in elections. Nellie McClung was elected as a Liberal member of legislature in 1921.
"The economic dependence of women is perhaps the greatest injustice that has been done to us, and has worked the greatest injury to the race."
-Nellie McClung
Canadian Heritage Minute- Nellie McClung
Women's Right to Vote in Canada
1916 - Manitoba passes an act to amend the Manitoba Election Act
1916- Saskatchewan passes an act to amend that Saskatchewan Election Act
1916- Alberta passes the Equal Suffrage Law Amendment
1917- British Columbia passes the Provincial Election Act
1917- Ontario grants women the right to vote in provincial elections
1918- The Nova Scotia Franchise Act grants women the right to vote in provincial elections
1918- An act to Confer Electoral Franchise Upon Women grants women the right to vote in federal elections
1919- New Brunswick passes a law allowing women to vote
1919- Yukon passes an Elections Ordinance
1922- The P.E.I. Election Act grants women the right to vote in provincial elections
1925- Women in Newfoundland are able to vote in provincial elections
1940- The act Granting to Women the Right to Vote and be Eligible for Candidates passes in Quebec
1951- The Northwest Territories passes an Elections Ordinance allowing women to be able to vote in provincial elections
1916- Saskatchewan passes an act to amend that Saskatchewan Election Act
1916- Alberta passes the Equal Suffrage Law Amendment
1917- British Columbia passes the Provincial Election Act
1917- Ontario grants women the right to vote in provincial elections
1918- The Nova Scotia Franchise Act grants women the right to vote in provincial elections
1918- An act to Confer Electoral Franchise Upon Women grants women the right to vote in federal elections
1919- New Brunswick passes a law allowing women to vote
1919- Yukon passes an Elections Ordinance
1922- The P.E.I. Election Act grants women the right to vote in provincial elections
1925- Women in Newfoundland are able to vote in provincial elections
1940- The act Granting to Women the Right to Vote and be Eligible for Candidates passes in Quebec
1951- The Northwest Territories passes an Elections Ordinance allowing women to be able to vote in provincial elections