1. The evolution of liberalism in Canada
Has Canada exemplified the ideals of liberalism?

2. Why Human Rights? According to Liberal International:
Human rights are the core of liberalism;
Human rights are a precondition for progress and stability;
Human rights can only be secured by true democracy;
True democracy is inseparable from political and civil liberty
How does the protection of human rights promote the ideals of liberalism, including democracy and progress?

3. Philosophers: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau
Each had a different perspective on individual rights:
Hobbes: give up individual rights in return for security
Locke: individual rights (especially for property) essential, but some must be sacrificed for security
Rousseau: group rights should be decided by individuals, but then followed by the group
Philosophers: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau

4. What are human rights?
Rights granted to all people, regardless of nationality. Includes fundamental freedoms like freedom of expression and association

5. What are civil rights?
Rights granted to citizens of a state by their government. Includes the right to participate in a democracy

6. Influence of the French and American Revolutions
French Revolution
Declaration of the Rights of Man
American Revolution
Declaration of Independence
All men are created equal and have unalienable rights
To what degree were/are these principles followed?
What legislation do we have in Canada to promote human rights?

7. The earliest liberal actions taken by governments were in the interest of workers
Minimum wages
Hours of work
Safe working conditions
Child labor
John Stuart Mill – opposed collectivist tendencies while still placing emphasis on quality of life for the individual.
Also supported women’s suffrage and labor co-operatives (early unions)
Unions – many governments refused to protect unions because of wealthy lobby groups promoting the interests of business owners
Increasing support for liberal attitudes in the 20th century encouraged governments to create legislation protecting unions
Worker’s Rights

8. Classical views of women (unstable, less intelligent, there for the enjoyment of men)
Woman’s place is in the home
all MEN (= propertied class) created equal
Suffrage (right to vote) - evolution in Canada
First men and women of European extraction, then other ethnic groups, First Nations not until
1920s – “Persons Case”
Women’s Rights

9. Feminism
Women organized themselves into societies (eg. temperance society)
Suffragette movement – at times could be quite violent (which hurt the movement – proved women were “too emotional to participate in politics”)
WWI changed attitudes towards women

10. Modern Feminism
“The Feminine Mystique” Betty Friedan (myth of happy 1950s housewives)
Women’s Liberation Movement (1960s)
Equal pay for equal work
Today there are many strands of feminism (eco-feminism, multi-racial feminism, feminist theology)
Values in other societies – are we imposing our liberal values on others? (ex opposition to Sharia law (which is grossly misinterpreted [by Western cultures])

11. Rights and Liberal Society
Liberalism advocates civil rights for all citizens, irrespective of race, gender or class.
Liberals generally believe in neutral government, in the sense that it is not for the state to determine personal values (what constitutes the “good life” or what is morally right or wrong)
Affirmative action
Liberals support equal opportunity, but not necessarily equal outcome, so there is disagreement in the support for affirmative action programs.

12. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
issue: power to create laws is being transferred from the legislative branch to judicial branch
Proposed Canadian Museum for Human Rights

13. Important Rights Cases in Canada
Bill C-38 – Civil Marriage Act passed in to allow for the legalization of gay marriage
Bill 101 – Charter of the French Language passed in 1997

14. US Bill of Rights
issue: amendments

15. UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
issue: enforcement

16. International Criminal Court [ICC]
issue: lack of participation from major nations like USA

17. Two main groups in Canada enjoy these rights
Collective Rights
These are rights that are given to a group – often with the intention of supporting or protecting a minority group.
They are entrenched into the Constitution
Two main groups in Canada enjoy these rights
– Aboriginal Peoples and Francophones
Does this support or go against liberal values?

18. Aboriginal Collective Rights
Co-operation – competition – coercion
Proclamation of 1763, treaties, Indian Act
Efforts to eliminate those rights: White Paper (Red Paper response)
Efforts to restore and revitalize those rights: Royal Commission, land claims settlements and self-government
Aboriginal Collective Rights

19. Francophone Collective Rights
First settlers, Conquest of 1763
The Seven Years War from 1756 to 1763 involved all of the major European powers of the period. In North America, it involved a struggle between Britain and France for supremacy over their colonial lands and regions of fur trade control.
Quebec Act – promises made to protect culture
Future constitutions and actions reject this:
Not allowing Catholics to participate in government
Manitoba Schools question
Riel Resistance
Francophone Collective Rights

20. Francophone collective rights cont’d
Quiet Revolution – the response to the increasing marginalization of the francophone people
Bill 101
FLQ Crisis
Refusal to sign Constitution
1980 and 1995 referendums regarding separation
Today:
Creation of immigration guidelines, dwindling support for separatist parties
Francophone collective rights cont’d