In My Opinion Beaches-York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon shares reasons to celebrate Persons Day and honour Canada’s Famous Five

By MARY-MARGARET McMAHON

MPP, BEACHES-EAST YORK

Happy Persons Day!

Last year, my Private Members’ Bill 211 to have Oct. 18th declared Persons Day in perpetuity honouring the democratic achievement known as the ‘Persons’ Case was approved unanimously at Queen’s Park on Dec. 11, 2024.

I am very grateful to have been supported by MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (NDP), MPP Aislinn Clancy (Green), and MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Independent). The Deputy Speaker that day was the Hon. Donna Skelly (Progressive Conservative)  – bringing our numbers to five.

We each had our reasons, but like the Famous Five (F5), we believe that it is important women are present everywhere and that more women and girls be inspired to become political leaders.

The first international legal declaration of the principle of equality happened on Oct. 18, 1929 thanks to the leadership of five Canadian women known as the Famous Five (F5) and their ‘Persons’ Case!

As individuals, the F5 were largely responsible for women securing the right to vote and the right to seek elected office provincially which led to federal enfranchisement.

However, having these rights still did not ensure that women’s voices were heard, that women’s issues were resolved, that women were participating in all levels of politics.

Canada’s first female judge, Emily Murphy wanted to be Canada’s first female Senator and so she invited four suffrage leaders to come for tea to her home in Edmonton on Aug. 27, 1927.

Henrietta Muir Edwards had established the Victorian Order of Nurses and the prototype for the Canadian YWCA in Montreal before moving west with her husband, a doctor serving Indigenous Nations in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Blackfoot paid tribute by naming her Otter Woman.

Louise McKinney was the first woman elected by both men and women in the British Empire when she became an Alberta MLA on June 7, 1917.

The Honourable Irene Parlby was a Minister Without Portfolio in the United Farmers of Alberta government even though she had organized dynamic United Farm Women of Alberta which provided much of their social programme and even funds.

The final guest was the remarkable Nellie McClung who, after securing the breakthrough for the women in Manitoba on Jan. 28, 1916, moved to Edmonton and became a Liberal MLA.

Like Emily and Louise, Nellie, too, was born in Ontario which allowed women franchise on April 12, 1917.

What happened as a result of this tea party completed an incredible transfer of power!

The five champions signed Judge Murphy’s letter to Prime Minister Mackenzie King urging him to appoint women to the Senate. However, the PM asked the Supreme Court of Canada for clarification with this question – Does the word ‘persons’ include female persons in Section 24 of the BNA Act of 1867?

The seven male Supreme Court Justices responded Negative!

They reasoned that our constitution did not contemplate women as being active politically. All the nouns, pronouns and adjustives in the BNA Act made it very clear who was to govern and who was to be governed. Besides, they said no woman served in the House of Lords in the United Kingdom so we should not break with this sacred tradition.

Luckily at that time, their decision could be appealed to a committee of the British Cabinet and on Oct. 18, 1929, five Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council stated that the word ‘person’ always included both women and men! They also said that Canada’s constitution was a ‘living tree’, able to evolve as Canadians did.

Persons Day also serves as a reminder of the work we still have to do to achieve gender equality for each, and every woman, and for gender diversity by challenging stereotypes and by creating inclusive workplaces and providing equal opportunities!

In Canada, Senate appointments are made by the Prime Minister and allocated on a geographic basis usually to those of the same party as the PM. In 1930, a vacancy opened in Ontario and Ottawa’s Cairine Wilson, the Mother of Refugees and a Liberal, became Canada’s first female Senator.

Currently 14 of the 24 Ontario Senators identify as females!

Let’s celebrate Persons Day by gathering our friends, discussing issues of concern, and committing to resolving injustices!

Have a Pink Tea and build a more inclusive and just Canada!

• By Mary-Margaret McMahon, MPP Beaches-East York, with assistance from Frances Wright, CEO/CoFounder, F5F