WHAT: It's a Canadian Royal Commission that examines the status of women and recommends steps that might be taken by the federal government to ensure equal opportunities with men and women, which will ensure equality in *every aspect of Canadian society for women. Moreover, for those of you who don't know what a Canadian Royal Commission is, it's a formal public inquiry that investigates a matter of great importance and in this case it's the status of women in Canada. This investigation is independent from the government, so they won't do it personally but they will assign it to someone capable. 

WHEN: In February 3, 1967 

WHERE: House of Commons or the Parliament of Canada. 

WHY: Prime Minister Pearson was being threatened and pressured by THIRTY-TWO women's group and the media, so he had to take action. 

HOW: It was the women's movement protests, mounting pressure from the media and Laura Sabia’s ( leader of the groups and Ontario activist) threat of a march that contained 2 million women on Parliament Hill. All of the above promoted the Prime Minister to set up this commission right away. 

This is significant because it shows how much progress women have made in order to get this commission set up by Prime Minister Pearson . They banded together and started to raise their VOICES because of the inequality they've faced and seen. This led to the feminist movement being established and the journey of fighting for gender equality to continue. This journey will require organization, determination, and willingness to keep fighting on many different levels, which they've already proved they can do with this achievement. Also, this was the first commission for women and a major turning point that established women's rights. Nevertheless, it showed them that their is a long road ahead of them in their fight for equality with 167 recommendations. 

Causes: The establishment of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada was caused by the women's movement's mainstreamed protests and their threat to march with 2 million women on Parliament Hill. Moreover, the media also pressured the government as more people joined the women's movement. 
CONSEQUENCES: For women who wanted change this commission had its short comings. It did address abortion, birth control, and daycare but it did NOT address violence against women(by a spouse or male abuser). This was the most important thing they did not address because
 1 in 10 husbands beat their wives regularly and in North America 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime(at the time). Moreover, with daycare nothing was implemented in the law unlike abortion and birth control legislated in 1969.

Change:  Despite it's shortcomings, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada was undeniably a catalyst for social change. It united Canadian women to a greater extent than ever before and gave them a voice in shaping gender-responsive policies.

Continuity: Abortion and contraceptives were illegal even after this commission was established for two years until 1969.  There has not been any decrease in violence against women in the last 50 years in Canada. After this commission universal daycare was not implemented until 1996 but that was by  Quebec only. The rest of Canada childcare is paid for by the parents/guardians, but some provinces/territories NOW do pay a little direct operating costs of regulated child care (which reduces parent fees for daycare). BUT that took years for it to be established. 

Changes: More immigrants are flooding into Canada. More women are joining the work force because they have someone to look after the kids(only for upper/middle class). Moreover, our population and economic earnings is growing.

Continuity: There is still no Universal Daycare Act. The Live-In Caregiver program only helps upper and some middle class women but doesn't help all women with daycare(third world women). 

WHAT: This Act ensures equality of opportunity by outlawing discrimination on the basis of race, age, SEX(gender), etc. This Act only applies to people who work for the government , or First Nations, and to federally-regulated private companies(ex. banks /airlines). That means the employers of these companies/government civil workers have to equally distribute opportunities based on skill not GENDER, race, color of skin, age, etc. 

WHEN: In 1977

WHERE: The Parliament building is located in Ottawa, which is the seat of the federal government. 

WHY: The Canadian Human Rights Act was created and passed because they wanted(government/people of Canada) the guaranteed protection of the people in Canada from discrimination when they are employed by the federal government or receive services from them.  

HOW: This was created due to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948, and the constant change in law before and after the declaration to prohibit discrimination in some provinces in Canada This made Canadian lawmakers begin to consider a federal law that creates equal opportunities by outlawing discrimination. That led to the Canadian Bill of Right being established in 1960. Moreover, more laws were being established to prohibit discrimination and finally 3+ decades later of the first standalone human rights laws in Canada, Parliament introduced the Canadian Human Rights Act in 1977. 

SIGNIFICANT: This is a significant part in Canadian history for women because it protected them from discrimination on the grounds of gender and age. They can now find equal opportunities(ex. promotions/hiring) in the federal government and federally-regulated private companies thanks to this law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex/age. 

Causes: This was caused by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations and the 193 nations/countries ratification of at least one of the nine binding treaties determined in the declaration. Also, many of the countries and even provinces of Canada were implementing Human Rights in their laws and prohibiting discrimination in the span of those years after December 10 1948. 

Consequences: Women are challenging superiors and the federal government by relying on the Canadian Human Rights Act to argue that the differential treatment between women and men constituted discrimination on the basis of sex. For example, Brown vs. Canadian Armed Forces case. 

Changes: Some changes are that women are starting to use their voice and relying on laws like the Canadian Human Rights Act to establish gender equality. 

Continuity: Discrimination is still happening and can be overlooked by the court if they deem it so because it's not a supreme law. This Act was limited and inefficient when it came to upholding its declaration, so things like discriminating was still present in society. This continued for 5 years until the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was established in 1982, which was inscribed in Canada’s constitution making it the supreme law in courts.