SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Women's History Month

Honourable senators, today I mark Women’s History Month, which concludes on this final day of October.

I express my appreciation to the Algonquin Anishinaabeg peoples, who have lived on and cared for this unceded, unsurrendered territory for millennia such that I could have the opportunity to speak today.

It is important that we reflect on the history of achievements, milestones and progress of women in Canada. At the same time, it is imperative to recognize that these important milestones have often excluded Indigenous, Black and racialized women, who have been historically left out of that progress.

We know that not every human has always been considered a person by law, but did you know it’s been less than 100 years since women were included in the legal definition of “persons” in Canada? In 1927, the Supreme Court of Canada was asked if women were included in that definition. The answer was “no.” It took until October 18, 1929, for the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain in London to amend legislation such that women could legally be considered “persons.” This was an important moment in history for gender equality, but like many advancements toward gender justice, it failed to include all women. Marginalized women, including Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage, remained among those excluded from the legal definition of “personhood” established in 1929.

We must not forget that progress toward gender equality and justice has historically not been equal and that women, girls and gender-diverse people are far too often still excluded from important milestones. Even today, advancing gender equality in Canada isn’t just about closing gaps between men and women. People experience different barriers depending on many elements of their identities, including their sexuality, race, gender identity, ability and age. Pursuing true equality means recognizing and meeting all people’s diverse needs. We need to always be thinking of intersectionality and always applying that critical gender-based analysis with the initiatives that we take on, and we need to apply that lens consistently.

What can we do about it? Being an intersectional feminist ally means using our voice and privilege to advocate for inclusion and diversity, as well as supporting women and girls who face barriers and discrimination that we may not be facing ourselves.

We should be proud of the progress that has been made, without a doubt. At the same time, we need to ensure that women’s history in Canada is inclusive, just and leaves no one behind. Thank you. Meegwetch.