The Charter of Rights and Freedoms pretty much put Canada on the map, in terms of human rights back then. Before 1982 (the year of its creation), there were numerous disgusting, foul acts done, by both the government and the public. The Charter was created to prevent these from happening. Without the Charter, no one would have any obligation to refrain from racism.
Examples of things the Charter was designed to prevent:
1. In 1858: Chinese "coolies" were paid pennies, many of them dying on the job, to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. They were not allowed to vote, or retain citizenship. They were basically slaves.
2. During the 1880's, "head taxes" were placed on Chinese immigrants in a veiled effort to stop them from immigrating to Canada. There was no reason for this, save xenophobia.
3. The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which basically banned immigration from China for no other reason besides xenophobia. Approximately six Chinese immigrants arrived during the time period this Bill was in place.
4. In 1907, a riot occured in Vancouver, targetting Chinese and Japanese stores. The Vancouver Police Departmentdid nothing.
5. Asian-Canadians were banned from voting up until 1947. That is a mere 60 years ago.
6. During WWII, many Japanese Canadians were forced into atrocious internment camps, and not compensated for being put through this ordeal for years. To this day, compensation has not been received for the discrimination put in place against Chinese Canadians decades ago.
7. To this very day, Aboriginal Affairs are largely dictated by a bill called the Indian Affairs Act, which is largely considered racist, but has been amended. Before 1960, and Aboriginal person would be required to give up his afforded rights in order to vote. I can't find any information on the schools they forced Aboriginal children through, but I do recall learning from my history textbook that they were frequently beaten, forced to conform to Canadian (read: white British) society norms, and were largely responsible for the loss of Aboriginal culture.
8. Up until The Rt. Hon. Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau's, P.C., C.C., C.H., Q.C., M.A., L.L.D., F.R.S.Cterm as Minister of Justice, being homosexual was illegal. The Charter was not introduced until his term as Prime Minister, I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Also, as Five noted above, the Charter guarantees freedom of speech, and democratic rights to EVERYONE. Something a lot of people didn't have "way back then"
:!: I couldn't restrain myself. I had to use color.
Copyright belongs to FiveParadox, I know. Sue me.
EDIT: Hey, it doesn't look right... Oh, I have to bold it.
Examples of things the Charter was designed to prevent:
1. In 1858: Chinese "coolies" were paid pennies, many of them dying on the job, to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. They were not allowed to vote, or retain citizenship. They were basically slaves.
2. During the 1880's, "head taxes" were placed on Chinese immigrants in a veiled effort to stop them from immigrating to Canada. There was no reason for this, save xenophobia.
3. The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which basically banned immigration from China for no other reason besides xenophobia. Approximately six Chinese immigrants arrived during the time period this Bill was in place.
4. In 1907, a riot occured in Vancouver, targetting Chinese and Japanese stores. The Vancouver Police Departmentdid nothing.
5. Asian-Canadians were banned from voting up until 1947. That is a mere 60 years ago.
6. During WWII, many Japanese Canadians were forced into atrocious internment camps, and not compensated for being put through this ordeal for years. To this day, compensation has not been received for the discrimination put in place against Chinese Canadians decades ago.
7. To this very day, Aboriginal Affairs are largely dictated by a bill called the Indian Affairs Act, which is largely considered racist, but has been amended. Before 1960, and Aboriginal person would be required to give up his afforded rights in order to vote. I can't find any information on the schools they forced Aboriginal children through, but I do recall learning from my history textbook that they were frequently beaten, forced to conform to Canadian (read: white British) society norms, and were largely responsible for the loss of Aboriginal culture.
8. Up until The Rt. Hon. Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau's, P.C., C.C., C.H., Q.C., M.A., L.L.D., F.R.S.Cterm as Minister of Justice, being homosexual was illegal. The Charter was not introduced until his term as Prime Minister, I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Also, as Five noted above, the Charter guarantees freedom of speech, and democratic rights to EVERYONE. Something a lot of people didn't have "way back then"
:!: I couldn't restrain myself. I had to use color.
Copyright belongs to FiveParadox, I know. Sue me.EDIT: Hey, it doesn't look right... Oh, I have to bold it.
