On October 18, 1929, Canada’s courts recognized women as ‘persons’ – this was an important and hard fought court victory that changed the course of history for women in Canada.
Today, less than 100 years later, we remember the Famous Five and celebrate October 18th as Persons Day. We remember and salute Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Henrietta Muir Edwards, who all persisted in their historic fight for equality.
But while an important legal victory was reached in 1929, we still have a long way to go to ensure equality for women in Ontario. Indigenous women and racialized women still face a particularly discriminatory wage gap, and women as a whole are paid less than men for equal work performed. It is incumbent on all of us to work towards a fairer society.
As Ontario recovers from COVID-19, we must also keep in mind that much of the burden has been on women. We need a recovery that is inclusive for all.
On behalf of the Ontario Liberal Party, I join in celebrating Persons Day and commit to continue advocating for women’s equality in Ontario. We can do better and I know that working together – we will.