An independent Canadian knowledge projectPilot collection · EN / FR
Citizen.caCanadian knowledge, verified
Knowledge base/CA-K077
CA-K077History

The Persons Case: 18 October 1929

The “Women Are Persons!” monument on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, honouring the five women; a modern sculpture photographed in 2009, not a historical image.
The “Women Are Persons!” monument on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, honouring the five women; a modern sculpture photographed in 2009, not a historical image. Ottawa Parliament Gardens Famous Five Women are Persons · John.B.Codrington · Photo source · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.
Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

No recorded challenge is not proof of accuracy. A challenge under review is not a finding that the item is false.

On 18 October 1929, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled that women were “persons” under section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, and therefore eligible for appointment to the Senate. The appeal followed a 1928 Supreme Court of Canada decision and a campaign by five Alberta women: Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby.

Scope & context

Women’s eligibility for the Senate, not the federal vote (see CA-K036) or every legal barrier women faced.

Sources behind this record

1
Persons Case National Historic Event ↗

Parks Canada (Directory of Federal Heritage Designations)

Description of historic importance