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Description
ADDENDUM-BOARD MEMBERS

The Addendum – Board Members subseries contains 6 files discussing the activities of board members. Files are arranged by Board member. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, notes, press releases, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and contact information. The specific topics this subseries covers are details on the work conducted by Human Rights Institute of Canada Board Members and their support for the Human Rights Institute of Canada.

The Addendum – Jews, Israel, Anti-Semitism subseries consists of two files of newspaper clippings and research discussing Israeli politics and conflicts, anti-Semitism, Jews, and Zionism. This subseries contains a variety of document types including conference documents, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and Senate debates. Specific topics in this subseries discusses are Arab-Israeli conflicts, Palestine, Holocaust deniers, criticisms of Israel, support of Israel from the Canadian government, and anti-Semitism.

ADDENDUMS-DIALOGUE MAGAZINES

The Dialogue Magazine subseries consists of 2 files of Dialogue Magazines. Files are arranged chronologically for a period of approximately 10 years. The time span shows changing views in Canada and changes in the publishing situation of the magazine. The specific topics covered in Dialogue Magazines in this subseries are the Liberal sponsorship scandal, same-sex marriage, various provincial and federal elections, Ottawa becoming bilingual, Quebec separation politics, and Senate reform.

The Addendums – Missing Women – The Truth About Women’s Appointments to the Senate – Persons Case II subseries contains 12 files discussing the Human Rights Institute of Canada conference “Reaching up: A Conference on Equity of Access to Power for Women” on Senate reform for Persons Case II. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, Senate debates, newspaper clippings, memorandum, historical research, pamphlets, speeches, submissions and descriptions of Senate Committees, transcripts, lists of Senators and their biographies, House of Commons debates, legislation, conference planning materials, briefs, and tracking sheets for media contacts. The specific topics this subseries covers are Senate reform, Persons Case II, women in government and politics, and conferences held by the Human Rights Institute of Canada.

ADDENDUMS-NATIVE-INDIANS

The Addendums – Native - Indians subseries contains 1 file. This subseries contains a variety of document types including encyclopedia entries, newspaper clippings, External Affairs and International Trade Canada consultations, correspondence, and transcripts. The specific topics this subseries covers are the First Nations of Canada, social issues in aboriginal communities, missing and murdered aboriginal women, the status of aboriginal peoples, Elijah Harper stopping the Meech Lake Accord, the Indian Act, residential schools, and discrimination against aboriginals. Also includes the National Indian Brotherhood General By-Laws.

ADDENDUMS-WOMEN

The Addendums - Women subseries contains 2 files discussing the status of women and women’s rights. Files are arranged by subject and type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorandum, reports, legislation, booklets, Senate debates, and House of Commons debates. The specific topics this subseries covers are the status of women, the status of aboriginal women, funding for women’s organizations, pension equality, equal pay, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, violence against women, female genital mutilation, honour killing, the Persons Case, and the beliefs of the the Famous Five on eugenics.

BILINGUALISM

The Bilingualism subseries contains 64 files discussing the city of Ottawa by-law making Ottawa officially bilingual. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, newsletters, press releases, memorandum, court documents, background info, reports, legislation, Dialogue Magazine, research, speeches, meeting agendas for anglophone rights groups, meeting agendas for Human Rights Institute of Canada public meetings about bilingualism, census data for statistics on language use and population, job postings with bilingualism as a pre-requisite, telephone transcripts, implementation manuals, and bilingualism policies. The specific topics this subseries covers are a bilingualism by-law in the city of Ottawa after amalgamation, bilingual education in Ontario, Moncton being declared a bilingual city, the Monfort Hospital in Ottawa offering French language medical training, bilingualism as a job requirement in the federal government as well as municipal jobs in bilingual cities, funding through Heritage Canada for translation and language training, cost associated with translation and language training at the federal level to implement a bilingual government, language rights in Quebec, Quebec language laws, discrimination against Anglophones in Quebec, activism of English rights groups such as Alliance for the Preservation of English in Canada (APEC), opinions on bilingualism and multiculturalism, support from Human Rights Institute of Canada members for the Institute’s work on bilingualism, organising screenings of a documentary called “The Rise and Fall of English Montreal,” and mutual support between the Institute and anglophone rights groups. Marguerite Ritchie and the Human Rights Institute of Canada opposed the implementation of bilingualism in the federal government and for the city of Ottawa because anglophones made up the majority of the population and francophones are significantly more likely to be bilingual. The Institute was concerned that official bilingualism in Ottawa would lead to discrimination against anglophones in municipal funding for cultural groups and in employment with the city by placing language qualifications above other qualifications. Marguerite Ritchie also questioned whether it was legal for a by-law to make a city bilingual without the permission of the province. The Government of Ontario stated that being the Capital Region, Ottawa was considered exempt from that rule, however Gatineau did not become bilingual despite being part of the Capital Region. Subseries includes some correspondence with board members and Institute members resigning in protest of the Institute’s position on bilingualism.

The Bilingualism – Political Warfare subseries contains 1 file discussing the National Citizens Coalition’s activism on bilingualism and the constitution. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, newsletters, newspaper clippings, press releases, brochures, background information, and court documents. The specific topics this subseries covers are the National Citizens Coalition lawsuits, politics, civil service, requests for help on constitutional issues to the Human Rights Institute of Canada, unions, and health care.

The Challenges for the Future – World War II subseries contains 11 files discussing the political opinions of veterans who were Human Rights Institute of Canada supporters and research on the World Wars. Files are arranged by source and topic, while general correspondence is chronological. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, letters to the editor, biographies, United Nations conventions, postcards and greeting cards, legislation, and book chapters. The specific topics this subseries covers are case examples of veterans and their activism in Canadian politics, work Marguerite Ritchie did while at the Department of Justice on reparations and enemy assets, research on Canadian armed forces in both World Wars, and international treaties.

The Challenges to Injustice – Women – Application of the Merit Principle to Women in the Public Service of Canada subseries contains 7 files of research, drafts, and final version of Alexis Clark's report "The Application of the Merit Principle to Women in The Public Service: How Governments and Bureaucrats Manipulate Equality in the Public Service." Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, research notes, background materials, memorandum, definitions, legislation, and papers.

The Challenges to Injustice – Women – Merit Principle in the Public Service of Canada subseries contains 21 files discussing evaluations of equal opportunity employment for women based on the merit principle. Files are arranged by source or material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, background documentation, memorandum, notes, presentations, working papers, conference reports, House of Commons debates, newspaper clippings, resolutions, brochures, transcripts, court documents, letters to the editor, press releases, questionnaires, legislation, Senate debates, and annual reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are employment equity, disability applications under the Canadian Pension Plan, sexual harassment in the workplace, the Merit Principle, women in public service, gender discrimination, the Archibald Report on equal opportunity regardless of gender, Public Service Commission reports, Glassco Commission (Royal Commission on Government Organization), equal pay, and a brochure from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) regarding their union representation of Bonnie Robichaud and her sexual harassment case against the Treasury Board.

CHRONOLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE

The Chronological Correspondence subseries contains 169 files of all correspondence sent out by the Human Rights Institute of Canada. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types, predominately correspondence, along with memorandum, reports, submissions, proposals, and press releases sent as enclosures with correspondence. The specific topics this subseries covers are communications with Human Rights Institute of Canada members, conference and session planning, general activities of the Human Rights Institute of Canada, as well as Human Rights Institute of Canada stances and opinions on politics, social issues, and human rights at home and abroad.

The Constitution of Canada – Constitution and the Law – Justice Department subseries contains 8 files discussing the role and function of the Department of Justice on legislation. Files are arranged by type and chronology. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, newspaper clippings, memorandum, working documents, background information, biographies, lists, and court documents. The specific topics this subseries covers are the role, history, and function of the Department of Justice, requests for a reference for Persons Case II, the Department of Justice's National Symposium on Woman, Supreme Court of Canada cases on social issues including hate speech, Commissioner and Associate Deputy Minister of Justice Mary Dawson drafting the constitution, and the Department of Justice’s role in drafting legislation.

The Constitution of Canada – Constitution Overload subseries contains 17 files discussing the formation of Canada, constitutional changes, and Canadian history. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including political cartoons, research materials, House of Commons debates, memorandum, correspondence, newspaper clippings, presentations made to Parliamentary committees, press releases, and reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are the effect of politics and ideology on the historicizing of events, political cartoons critiquing Canadian politics, the Meech Lake Accord, constitutional reform, the role of Queen Victoria in the British North America Act of 1867, corruption at the trial of Louis Riel, the push for unity leading up to the 1995 Quebec separatism referendum, and the Supreme Court case establishing rules for sovereignty.

The Constitution of Canada – Government of Canada - Parliament subseries contains 13 files discussing the rules, regulations, and procedures of Parliament and limits of power. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, research, legislation, Senate debates, meeting minutes, memorandum, reports, and court documents. The specific topics this subseries covers are blank private members bills, oaths sworn by elected Members of Parliament, meetings leading up to the 1982 constitution, election rules and election reform for federal government, regulations for Parliament, the power of the Prime Minister, the role and functioning of Parliament, legal history, and secrecy in government as a result of redaction for privacy in Access to Information requests.

The Constitution of Canada – Government of Canada – Parliament – Falsification of History and Constitution subseries contains 16 files discussing Canadian history and modernising traditions. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, research, notes, memorandum, reports, press releases, and magazine articles. The specific topics this subseries covers are Canadian history including the On to Ottawa Trek and the Winnipeg General Strike, whitewashing history, censorship to avoid offending minorities and francophones, the importance of the Magna Carta, hanging portraits of French monarchs from the age of “New France” in Canadian Parliament, changing the lyrics of “O Canada” to be gender neutral, renaming federal departments, honouring French historical figures with statues on Parliament Hill, changing immigration tests to reflect modern political ideology, bilingual health care services, changing the flag of Canada from a Union Jack to a maple leaf, Canada distancing itself from Britain, and proposals to remove the Queen of England as the Head of State.

DIALOGUE MAGAZINES

The Dialogue Magazine subseries consists of 36 files of Dialogue Magazines. Files are arranged chronologically for a period of approximately 20 years. The time span shows changing points of view in Canada and changes in the publishing situation of the magazine. The specific topics covered in Dialogue Magazines in this subseries are the Meech Lake Accord, the Charlottetown Accord, the Liberal sponsorship scandal, same-sex marriage, various provincial and federal elections, Ottawa becoming bilingual, Quebec separation politics, the Expropriation of Nanoose Bay, the Oka Crisis, and Senate reform.

The Dr. Marguerite E. Ritchie’s Credentials subseries contains 44 files discussing Marguerite Ritchie’s accomplishments and life. Files are arranged by topic and chronology. This subseries contains a variety of document types including resumes, biographies, correspondence, certificates and awards, newspaper clippings, portraits, newsletters, speeches, programmes, press releases, information packets, legislation, Access to Information requests, law reviews, book chapters, journals, master’s thesis, employment contracts, lecture notes, minutes of the Privy Council, reports, invitations, greeting cards, and day planners. The specific topics this subseries covers are personal biographical information on Marguerite Ritchie, including Access to Information requests to the federal government for all documentation on her work at the Department of Justice, government documentation on the Human Rights Institute of Canada, government documentation on the statue and plaque for the Famous Five at Parliament, Marguerite Ritchie’s resume, her employment records and work from the Department of Justice and the Anti-Dumping Tribunal, teaching records from a Constitutional Law course Marguerite Ritchie taught at Carlton University and communications with her students, work on international conventions and human rights, important legal articles Marguerite Ritchie wrote on women’s legal rights such as ‘Alice Through the Statutes,’ Marguerite Ritchie’s masters of law (LL.M.) thesis about skyjacking/ hijacking of airplanes, and documents about getting her LLM at the McGill Law School. This subseries also includes Marguerite Ritchie’s awards and accomplishments, including the Order of Canada, the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, and Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta, as well as documentation of Marguerite Ritchie being nominated for the Order of Ontario and the ensuing complications of not having been awarded it. Marguerite Ritchie filed Access to Information requests to discover why she had not been awarded the Order of Ontario and believed the province was withholding the award as a result of her language rights beliefs and activism against the city of Ottawa’s bilingualism policy.

The Dr. Marguerite E. Ritchie’s Credentials – Family and Friends subseries contains 26 files of personal correspondence and documents friends and family felt may be of interest to Marguerite Ritchie, such as articles on women’s rights and human rights. Files are arranged partially by source or type, while general correspondence files are chronological. This subseries contains a variety of document types including personal correspondence, memorandum, greeting cards, newspaper clippings, short stories, magazine articles, postcards, budgets, journals, sheet music, obituaries, speeches, and lectures. The specific topics this subseries covers are communications about Marguerite Ritchie’s personal life.

The Funding Requests for the Human Rights Institute of Canada subseries contains 30 files discussing funding applications for the Human Rights Institute of Canada and the projects the funding was used for. Files are arranged by funding source. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, conference planning, memorandum, grant applications, newspaper clippings, discussion papers, press releases, submissions, project proposals, and expenditures. The specific topics this subseries covers are research for grant and funding sources, applications for funding for Human Rights Institute of Canada projects, operating costs, government funding for women’s groups, municipal funding, funding from women’s organisations, and private organizations with grant funding. This subseries also includes files discussing the Human Rights Institute hiring employees, research conducted, and project and conference planning done with grant money.

The Government of Canada – Requests for Information subseries contains 11 files of Access to Information requests made by the Human Rights Institute of Canada to Library and Archives Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada Library, and various government departments. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, and newspaper clippings. The specific topics this subseries covers are confirming publication information for newspaper clippings, budgets and funding allocation, outcomes of court cases, and making inquiries to the Prime Minister and Privy Council about the Meech Lake Accord and the Official Languages Act.

The Government of Canada - Constitution subseries contains 3 files discussing the development of Canadian law and the Canadian Constitution. Files are arranged by type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including research materials. The specific topics this subseries covers are the British North America Act of 1867, the Constitution Act of 1982, women’s treatment in the law, immigration, federalism, Senate reform, Supreme Court reform, constitutional revisions, diversity, legislative powers, government services, languages, monarchy, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Franco-Canadian cultural agreements, provinces and international agreements, the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Constitutional Problems - Quebec, and civil liberties.

The Government of Canada - Corruption subseries contains 6 files discussing corruption in Canadian politics and in the federal government. Files are arranged by instance of corruption. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorandum, and research. The specific topics this subseries covers are investigations of allegations of corruption in the Mulroney government, fallout from health care cuts, investigations into the RCMP for wrongdoing, misappropriation of funds by politicians, and the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) being sued.

The Government of Canada – Federal Departments subseries contains 20 files discussing the function and policies of the Department of External Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and the Department of Immigration. Files are arranged by department and subject. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, reports, press releases, speeches, newspaper clippings, notes, legislation, treaties, conventions, and briefs. The specific topics this subseries covers are immigration, foreign policy, overseas conflicts, NGOs, racism, refugees, international trade, the United Nations, human rights, military influence, women’s rights, Canada violating human rights, Canada’s international relations with countries that have violated human rights, nuclear vessels and Nanoose Bay, peacekeeping, bilingualism, the Auditor General of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the cost of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

The Government of Canada – Governors General subseries contains 3 files discussing Governor Generals Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean. Files are arranged by Governor General. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, and memorandum. The specific topics this subseries covers are governor generals and their legacies, the role and duties of the governor general, challenges faced by Michaelle Jean as a former dual citizen, the appointment process for Governor Generals, and the appointments of Michaelle Jean and David Johnson.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA-JUDGES

The Government of Canada - Judges subseries contains 16 files discussing judges in Canada, women as judges, and the Judge’s Council. Files are arranged by Judge. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, newspaper clippings, court documents, memorandum, encyclopedia research, speeches, notes, transcripts, and legislation. Some files are informational only and others contain correspondence and other communications with judges. The specific topics this subseries covers are Human Rights Institute of Canada support for women as judges and the judicial decisions they make, the Court Challenges Program, government efforts towards gender equality, judicial activism, the creation of the Supreme Court of Canada, complaints from REAL (Realistic, Equal, Active, for Life) Women of Canada against female judges, limits of government power, sexual assault laws, human rights, Persons Case II, bilingualism, and Quebec as a distinct society.

The Government of Canada – Members of Parliament and their Interests subseries contains 42 files discussing the work and interests of Members of Parliament. Files are arranged by Member of Parliament. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, newspaper clippings, press releases, memorandum, speeches, newsletters, House of Commons debates, and notes. The specific topics this subseries covers are women’s rights, aboriginal women’s rights, multiculturalism, gun registries, bilingualism, Quebec sovereignty, partisan politics, the Famous Five, Persons Case II, Elijah Harper’s role in stopping the Meech Lake Accord, national unity, bilingualism, the New Brunswick Constitutional Amendment, and foreign policy in the Middle East and Israel.

The Government of Canada - Parliament subseries contains 5 files of select debates from the House of Commons. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains House of Commons debates and legislation. The specific topics this subseries covers are amending the Indian Act, aboriginal rights, multiculturalism, equality for women, unemployment, the Youth Offenders Act, criminal code amendments, sexual assault, language acts and bilingualism, Senate reform, and discrimination.

The Government of Canada – Political Parties subseries contains 10 files discussing Canadian national political parties including the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Reform Party, the Liberals, the Progressive Conservatives (PC), the Green Party, and the Canadian Alliance, and the major policies and platforms of each part. Files are arranged by political party. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, press releases, memorandum, brochures, policies, newsletters, and voting statistics. The specific topics this subseries covers are the legacy of the Reform Party after it became the Canadian Alliance Party, leadership conventions, the Liberal opinion on Quebec separatism, the PCs opinion on women’s rights and abortion, the Reform Party position on Senate reform, funding cuts for social groups, Quebec as a distinct society, and the NDP’s position on poverty, arts, employment, and rights.

The Government of Canada – Prime Ministers subseries contains 199 files detailing information on the major issues of the terms of Prime Ministers Trudeau, Mulroney, Campbell, Chrétien, Martin, and Harper. Files are arranged chronologically by Prime Minister. This subseries contains a variety of document types including interviews, speeches, press releases, and newspaper clippings. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Official Languages Act, the FLQ crisis, the constitution, the Meech Lake Accord, the Charlottetown Accord, multiculturalism, the legacy of the prime ministers after their terms in office, Quebec separatism, the 1980 and 1995 Quebec referendums, how the territories and aboriginal people were treated during the Meech Lake Accord, the constitutional amendment making New Brunswick officially bilingual, aboriginal issues surrounding the Oka Crisis, Quebec being recognised as a distinct society and nation, corruption, embezzlement, the Liberal sponsorship scandal, the creation of federal departments under Chrétien, the Expropriation of Nanoose Bay, Senate reform, Harper proroguing Parliament, and federal deficits.

The Government of Canada – Provinces – Political Warfare subseries contains 11 files discussing major issues faced by each province. Files are arranged by province. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, press releases, House of Commons and Senate debates, correspondence, memorandum, and legislation. The specific topics this subseries covers are oil sands in Alberta, fishing in Newfoundland, polygamy in British Columbia, provincial politics, relationships between the provinces and the federal government, the Meech Lake Accord, and bilingualism in Ontario and New Brunswick. Note that Quebec is not included in this subseries.

The Government of Canada - Scandals subseries contains 10 files discussing scandals faced by the federal government. Files are arranged by scandal. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, and research. The specific topics this subseries covers are Canada’s first sex scandal, scandals surrounding the personal lives of politicians in Ottawa, RCMP officers engaging in illegal activities, health and safety scandals, and the Combines Investigation Commission.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA-SENATE

The Government of Canada - Senate subseries contains 11 files discussing the role of the Senate and Senate reform, as well as issues discussed in the Senate. Files are arranged chronologically by type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including Senate debates, government information booklets, committee submission from the Human Rights Institute of Canada to the Special Joint Committee on Senate Reform, and newspaper clippings. The specific topics this subseries covers are Senate reform, the constitution, human rights, the status of women and aboriginal women, the Special Joint Committee on Senate Reform, Persons Case II, the role of the Senate, representation in the Senate, and the financial cost of the Senate.

The Government of Canada – Special Senators subseries contains 28 files discussing the work specific Senators did, and details of their appointments and terms as Senator. Files are arranged by Senator. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorandum, lists, and Senate debates. The specific topics this subseries covers are environmentalism, women’s rights, the Meech Lake Accord, constitutional amendments, abortion, welfare, support from Senators for Persons Case II, euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, aboriginal rights, immigration, child abuse, treatment of black Canadians in the military, and details on Senate appointments and retiring dates.

HEROES FOR INSPIRATION

The Heroes for Inspirations subseries contains 4 files discussing human rights activists. Files are arranged by person or chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings and correspondence. The specific topics this subseries covers are stories of people fighting for human rights and Marguerite Ritchie nominating whistleblower Corporal Robert Read for the Civil Courage Prize.

HUMAN RIGHTS

The Human Rights subseries contains 7 files discussing human rights in Canada. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memos, newspaper articles, reports, conference planning, journals, and newsletters. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights Commissioner, the Human Rights Commission conference to discuss and promote human rights, Ed Broadbent’s work with the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, and a meeting of the Advisory Council on Multiculturalism and Citizenship in Ottawa. Also includes the human rights violations of the separate Catholic school board in Ontario as a publically funded religious school board.

The Human Rights Institute of Canada – Board Members subseries contains 37 files discussing the institutional organization, function, and activities of the Human Rights Institute of Canada. Files are arranged by board member. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newsletters, financial statements, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, project reports, annual reports, magazine articles, Senate debates, speeches, brochures, House of Commons debates, legislation, and briefs. The specific topics this subseries covers are the administration of the Human Rights Institute of Canada, funding and finances of the Institute, new board members, aboriginal rights, women’s equality, motherhood, status of women, the Meech Lake Accord, police violence, bilingualism, Persons Case II, the expropriation of Nanoose Day, scientology legal cases, social justice, the Canadian constitution, child benefits, Quebec separatism, aging populations, libertarianism, department of external affairs, and the representation and celebration of the Persons Case.

The Human Rights Institute of Canada - Credentials subseries contains 73 files discussing the administrative history and regulations of the Human Rights Institute of Canada and political opinions supported by the Institute on current events. Files are arranged by source or topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, applications, by-laws of the Human Rights Institute of Canada, information packets, fact sheets, budgets, newsletters, test logo designs, pay scales and salary information, programmes, calendars, FAQs, newspaper clippings, photographs, minutes and proceedings from the House of Commons and joint committees of the House and Senate, submissions to government committees by the Human Rights Institute of Canada, questionnaires, speeches, programme schedules, press releases and promotional materials, general correspondence to all Human Rights Institute of Canada members, articles written by Marguerite Ritchie for Dialogue magazine, annual Board of Governors meeting documents and supporting documents for annual meetings, including audit reports, financial documents, and staff changes. The specific topics this subseries covers are Quebec separatism, the Charlottetown Accord, the Knowledge Project, activities of the Human Rights Institute of Canada, the Human Rights Institute of the University of Ottawa and ensuing problems caused by the similar names, equal appointment of women to the Senate, women in the armed forces, Senate reform, the Meech Lake Accord, stalking legislation, abortion law, and the Nanoose Bay expropriation hearings. This subseries also contains materials relation to the Human Rights Institute of Canada administration, including incorporation, procedures and regulations, board members, researchers for the Human Rights Institute of Canada, logo design, fund raising, conference planning, volunteer coordinating, annual meetings, resource center, requests from individuals for help, examples of Human Rights Institute of Canada successes on specific cases, and positive changes the Institute influenced. Finally, this subseries also contains speeches given by Marguerite Ritchie at various public forums on bilingualism, the Meech Lake Accord, women’s rights, Persons Case II, the expropriation of Nanoose Bay, and immigration.

The Human Rights Institute of Canada – Credentials - Contracts subseries contains 12 files discussing the Hamilton’s estate lawsuit and research the Human Rights Institute of Canada was hired to conduct. Files are arranged by topic and source. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, notes, contracts, court documents, newspaper clippings, press releases, timesheets, legal research, briefs, reports, brochures, and draft conventions. The specific topics this subseries covers are the legal case surrounding the estate of Mary Hamilton and Thomas David Clark Hamilton, the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, and research the Human Rights Institute of Canada was hired to conduct by the Law Reform Commission of Canada, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women in the Citizenship Act, and other consultations on women’s issues.

INDIANS-HISTORY AND LAW

The Indians – History and Law subseries contains 4 files discussing self-determination for aboriginal peoples and bands. Files are arranged by topic and source. This subseries contains a variety of document types including law reviews, briefs, reports, journal articles, magazines, dialogue magazine, and booklets by aboriginal organizations. The specific topics this subseries covers are self-government for aboriginals, the Constitution and aboriginal peoples, land development, and aboriginal control over education.

The Indians – Indian Women’s Inequality subseries contains 6 files discussing status rights of aboriginal women. Files are arranged by topic and source. This subseries contains a variety of document types including videos, revisions of the Indian Act, newsletters, press releases, conference reports, articles, transcripts, and publications. The specific topics this subseries covers are rights for aboriginal women, status rights, band status, and the economic status of aboriginal women. This subseries also includes publications from the Metis National Council of Women, the Native Woman’s Association of Canada, Indian Rights for Indian Women, and publications by the Canadian Bar review and government departments on status rights of aboriginal women

The Indians – Publications by Government subseries contains 8 files discussing government-aboriginal relations. Files are arranged by topic and region. This subseries contains a variety of document types including brochures, resolutions, magazines, government booklets, reports, and speeches. The specific topics this subseries covers are government produced and published reports on the relationship between aboriginal bands and the federal government, including cultural guides written in conjunction with aboriginal peoples.

JEWS, ISRAEL, ANTI-SEMITISM

The Jews, Israel, Anti-Semitism subseries contains 156 files of research discussing Israeli politics and conflicts, anti-Semitism, Jews, and Zionism, as well as some articles and opinion pieces Marguerite Ritchie wrote on the same subjects. Research files are arranged by source of research and correspondence is arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newsletters, journals, legal research, book chapters, articles, reports, United Nations reports, encyclopedia articles, maps, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, speeches, House of Commons debates, press releases and statements, conventions, Senate debates, legislation, handbooks, state papers, treaties, law reviews, memorandum, correspondence, research notes, policy papers, Parliament debates from the United Kingdom, resumes, fact sheets, lectures, letters to the editor, timelines, United Nations General Assembly summary and meeting minutes, and a United Nations Charter. Specific topics in this subseries cover a broad range of issues affecting Jews and Israel. They include: land claims and conflicts in the middle east, Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, Palestinian refugees, political and cultural history of Palestinians, discrimination and racism, anti-Semitism, terrorism, oil, skyjacking/hijacking of airplanes, history of anti-Semitism in Europe and Russia, emigration of Jews out of Europe and Russia, peace talks, Palestinian political groups, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), guerrilla warfare, the 1973 Israeli War, Iraq civil war, conditions of statehood, prisoners of war, Zionism, Canada’s relationship with Israel and the middle eastern Arab states, trials of Nazi war criminals, apartheid and racism, boycotts of Israel, Israel‘s international relations and independence, Muslims in Britain, succession of states, partition of India and Pakistan, child soldiers, the Six-Days War, the RCMP being charged with racism, foreign policy of the United States towards Israel and the middle east, hate propaganda and hate propaganda laws in Canada, Israeli economics, women in Israel, public support for Israel, history of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, treatment of Christians in the middle east, the Holocaust, Holocaust deniers, and the Armenian genocide.

LAWYERS AND COURTS

The Lawyers and Courts subseries contains six files discussing the legal field and the work of lawyers and courts more broadly. Files are arranged by subject. This subseries includes a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, law society hearing panel decisions, briefs, bulletins, magazines, newsletters, handbooks, pamphlets, press releases, reports, and documents from the Supreme Court of Canada. Specific topics in this subseries are profession conduct for lawyers including the first lawyer to be held in contempt of court; specific cases of disbarment and professional misconduct; issues faced by the deaf and women in the legal system; discrimination faced by women working in the legal system; and legal fees being too high for average or middle class people to afford.

The Letters by Individuals Seeking Help subseries contains 9 files of communications with individuals who read about the Human Rights Institute of Canada in the newspaper and reached out for help. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a correspondence from individuals asking for help and support from the Human Rights Institute of Canada, as well as some responses and supporting documents included in correspondence, such as newspaper clippings, court documents, affidavits, job descriptions, and descriptions of events. The specific topics this subseries covers are property law, family law, immigration, children’s rights, employment, adoption, employment, gender discrimination, unions, abortion, harassment, and education. Access to this subseries is pending archivists’ approval due to privacy concerns.

The Major Supporters in the Human Rights Institute of Canada subseries contains 58 files discussing Hilda L. Cryderman’s support of the Human Rights Institute of Canada. Files are arranged by topic and type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newsletters, questionnaires, seminar documents, House of Commons debates, newspaper clippings, press releases, transcripts, resumes, donation receipts, resolutions, biographies, and programs. The specific topics this subseries covers are opinions on the women’s liberation movement, suffrage, equal pay, women in politics, and support from Hilda L. Cryderman, Chair of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, for the Human Rights Institute of Canada.

The Major Supporters of the Human Rights Institute of Canada – Hon. Senator Muriel McQueen Fergusson, Q.C. – Friend and Ally subseries contains 22 files discussing the mutual support of Senator Muriel McQueen Fergusson and Marguerite Ritchie, Muriel McQueen Fergusson’s position as the first woman to hold the position of Speaker of the Senate, and Muriel McQueen Fergusson’s efforts to allow women on criminal juries. Files are arranged by topic or type with Senate debates and correspondence arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, Senate debates, legislation, House of Commons debates, Senate and House of Commons journals, telephone transcripts, newspaper clippings, biographies, books, conference reports, and standing committee proceedings. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, equal pay, gender discrimination, the Meech Lake Accord, a documentary on the life and work of Muriel McQueen Fergusson by Semra Yuksel, Muriel McQueen Fergusson being awarded the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, estate tax and discrimination against women in tax law, poverty, and women in politics.

MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Media and Public Relations subseries contains 28 files on the media representation of the Human Rights Institute of Canada including publicity and responses to current events, media bias, letters to the editor, articles supporting the same causes as the Human Rights Institute of Canada, and the misrepresentation of the Persons Case in popular media. Files are mainly arranged by media outlet while general correspondence is arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorandum, press releases, newsletters, transcripts of telephone conversations, and speeches. The specific topics this subseries covers are Persons Case II, bilingualism in Canada and in the city of Ottawa, Quebec as a distinct society, Canadian history, relocation of Inuit people to the high arctic in the 1950s and the resulting Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Meech Lake Accord, the Oka Crisis, the Official Languages Act, the expropriation of Nanoose Bay, the New Brunswick constitutional amendment, the constitution, Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, treatment of women in legislation, stalking, misappropriation of government funds, audit reports, and the life of Muriel McQueen Fergusson as the first female speaker of the senate.

The Meeting the First Peoples of Canada – Native Associations subseries contains 9 files discussing aboriginal self-government and status rights of aboriginal women. Files are arranged by source organization. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, reports, newsletters, memorandum, speeches, court documents, press releases, and presentations. The specific topics this subseries covers are aboriginal rights, research conducted by Marguerite Ritchie on behalf of aboriginal associations and councils, amendments to the Indian Act to end discrimination against aboriginal women, amendments to the Indian Act requiring bands to readmit women with reaffirmed status, aboriginal self-government across Canada and with respect to Quebec sovereignty, and solidarity between different aboriginal nations and bands.

The Meeting the First Peoples of Canada – Native Women – Friends/Associates subseries contains 13 files discussing status rights of aboriginal women. Files are arranged by person. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, speeches, transcripts of telephone conversations, newspaper clippings, proceedings of Senate committees, promotional materials, and reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are the activism of Mary Two-Axe Earley for the status rights of aboriginal women, taxation for native run businesses, activists who fought to amend the Indian Act to grant equal status rights for aboriginal women, and activism to end discrimination against women in band status. This subseries also contains a file on corruption and the subsequent scandal surrounding the preservation of petroglyphs at Petroglyph Provincial Park in Ontario.

The Meeting the First Peoples of Canada – Native Women – Legal Cases subseries contains 14 files discussing legal cases on the status rights of aboriginal women. Files are arranged by case. This subseries contains a variety of document types including court documents from the Supreme Court of Canada, correspondence, memorandum, House of Commons debates, newspaper clippings, and transcripts of telephone conversations. The specific topics this subseries covers are the court cases of Jeannette Lavell, Yvonne Bedard, and Vivian Corbiere Lavell over status rights of aboriginal women and their legal cases appealed to the Supreme Court over gender discrimination in the Indian Act, specifically status loss for aboriginal women who marry non aboriginal men or band status loss for marrying outside of their band. This subseries also contains court documents from various other Supreme Court cases on aboriginal rights, including land claims and inheritance and estate administration with regards to reserve residents.

The Meeting the First Peoples of Canada – Natives/ Indians subseries contains 22 files discussing land claims and treaties, self-government of aboriginal peoples, and status rights of aboriginal women. Files are arranged by subject and general correspondence is arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including conference documents, newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorandum, resumes, newsletters, press releases, background papers, government booklets, legislation, court documents, transcripts, presentations, statistics, and House of Commons debates. The specific topics this subseries covers are discrimination in the Indian Act, media representation of aboriginal issues, the Saskatchewan Native Woman’s Conference, rights of aboriginal women, Cree rights in Quebec, Assembly of Aboriginal Peoples of Saskatchewan, self-government for aboriginal bands, land claims and treaties, adoption of aboriginal children, voting rights, historical perspectives on aboriginals in north America, and discrimination against aboriginal peoples.

The Missing Women – The Truth About Women’s Appointments to the Senate – Persons Case II – Chronological Record subseries contains 27 files discussing the appoint of women to the Senate during the Mulroney and Chretien governments, gender disparities in the Senate, and Persons Case II. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, press releases, newspaper clippings, open letters, background information, biographies, resolutions, speeches, transcripts, and Senate debates. The specific topics this subseries covers are Senate reform, women appointed as Senators, calls for equal appointment through Persons Case II, United Nations convention on the Political Rights of Women, the 1982 constitution requiring equal opportunity regardless of gender, status rights of aboriginal women, the death of aboriginal woman’s activist Mary Two-Axe Earley, Marguerite Ritchie being awarded the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, the Persons Case, the Famous Five, women being allowed to sit on juries for criminal cases, and penalties for stalking.

The Missing Women – The Truth About Women’s Appointments to the Senate – The Betrayal of Emily Murphy and Women’s Claim to the Senate subseries contains 27 files discussing Persons Case II, Senate reform, and efforts made by the Human Rights Institute of Canada to have Persons Case II referred to the Supreme Court of Canada. Files are arranged by person or organization. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, resolutions, memorandum, speeches, newspaper clippings, biographies, legislation, press releases and promotional materials, transcripts of telephone conversations, meeting minutes, Senate minutes, Senate debates, historical background research, political party platforms, newsletters, House of Commons debates, grant applications, budgets, reports, affidavits, Supreme Court rulings, contact lists, petition for Persons Case II to be referenced to the Supreme Court, the Alberta law review, and programs. The specific topics this subseries covers are requesting support for Persons Case II and Senate reform, gender equality, asking for LEAF’s (Women's Legal Education and Action Fund) support for Persons Case II, requests to the Minister of Justice and Prime Minister to refer Persons Case II to the Supreme Court, funding and financial support for Persons Case II, the Charter Challenges program, consultations with legal firms for Persons Case II, applications for the court challenges program, the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case award ceremonies, women’s rights, Senate reform, Senate appointments, attempts by the province of Alberta to elect a Senator, and the Reform Party suing the federal government for not appointing elected Senators.

The Missing Women – The Truth About Women’s Appointments to the Senate – The Original Persons Case – The Betrayal of Emily Murphy subseries contains 22 files discussing the Persons Case which established women’s eligibility to be appointed to Senate and the failure of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King to appoint Judge Emily Murphy to Senate despite her appointment being the impetus for the Supreme Court reference. Files are arranged chronologically by subject. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, historical legal research, reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, petition, encyclopedia entries, book chapters, magazines, journal articles, reports, speeches, Senate debates, Access to Information requests, and court documents. The specific topics this subseries covers are research on the Persons Case, requests to Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King to appoint Judge Emily Murphy to Senate and his refusal on legal grounds, the Persons Case Supreme Court reference, and the appeal to the Privy Council in England. This subseries also includes some documentation of women being granted the right to vote, the first woman being elected to the House of Commons, and women being appointed Judges in lower courts. In their initial ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada said tradition barred women from appointment to the Senate. On appeal, the British Privy Council said women were persons under the law and therefore eligible for Senate appointment and all other government appointments. It took nearly six years from the first petitions to have Judge Emily Murphy appointed to Senate for the final ruling from the Privy Council. Cairine Wilson, President of the Ottawa Women's Liberal Club, was ultimately the first woman appointed to the Senate in 1930.

The My Life in the Federal Government subseries contains 154 files discussing Marguerite Ritchie’s positions as legal counsel at the Department of Justice and as Vice-Chair of the Anti-Dumping Tribunal, including major cases she worked on at both. Files are arranged by department and topic, while general correspondence is arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including Correspondence, memorandum, legislation, contracts, reports, legal research, newspaper clippings, maps, court documents, cabinet decisions, annual reports, seminar programmes, rules of procedure, transcripts of meetings and tribunal proceedings, press releases, performance evaluations, House of Commons debates, articles, telephone transcripts, findings of the Anti-Dumping Tribunal, conventions, questionnaires, informational booklets, service records, newsletters, contact list, briefs, and factums. The specific topics this subseries covers from Marguerite Ritchie’s employment with the Department of Justice are offshore mineral rights and whether they fall under federal or provincial jurisdiction, offshore exploitation of resources including oil, territorial waters, sea law and fishing rights, international air law, hijacking airplanes/skyjacking, international law and Canadian responsibilities, , amendments to the criminal code, constitutional law, the official languages act, provincial powers and ability to sign treaties, foreign relations and visitors, the Combines Investigation, human rights, racial discrimination, origins of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, United Nations conventions on slavery, the League of Nations, Canada’s human rights violations such as publically funded Catholic schools in Ontario, freedom of religion, political rights, war crimes and the Geneva Convention, establishment of an ombuds in Canada, abortion and the Morgentaller case, territorial boundaries between Quebec and Labrador, history of Canadian law, and international conferences on issues of international law. Marguerite Ritchie’s documents from the Department of Justice also touch on many women’s issues including change of name at marriage and divorce, child custody and family law, divorce, desertion, maintenance, dower rights, gendered language, status of women, illegitimate children, equal pay, discrimination against women, women’s education and employment, women in politics and government, impact of early marriage, legal status of women, and prostitution and sex work laws. The specific topics this subseries covers from Marguerite Ritchie’s employment with the Anti-Dumping Tribunal are cases from the tribunal such as the Western Bread Case, rules and procedures from the Anti-Dumping tribunal including reorganisation and legal counsel, legal articles written by Marguerite Ritchie based on practices of the tribunal, Marguerite Ritchie’s issues the chairmen of the tribunal while she was the vice-chairman, and the scandal surrounding Chairmen Gauthier.

QUEBEC POLITICS AND CANADA

The Quebec Politics and Canada subseries contains 42 files discussing Quebec politics, their relationship with the federal government, and Quebec separatism and sovereignty. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, historical research, press releases, correspondence, House of Commons debates, newsletters, court documents, legislation, reports, memorandum, and speeches. The specific topics this subseries covers are Quebec separatism, English language rights in Quebec, Quebec language laws (Bill 101 and Bill 178), the 1980 and 1995 Quebec separatism referendums and their outcomes, school curriculum set by Quebec for English language schools and the protestant school board, Quebec politics, Quebec’s relationship with France, Quebec’s independence in international relations, Charles de Gaulle’s speech at Expo ’67 and its influence on the separatism movement, the Clarity Act laying out the conditions for separation, Quebec history, cultural funding for Quebec from the federal government, the Quebec-Labrador border dispute, la Francophonie, resurgence of FLQ support in the early 2000s, the Notwithstanding Clause of the constitution applying to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Quebec politicians plans for an independent Quebec.

The Quebec Politics and Canada – Official Languages subseries contains 19 files discussing the Official Languages Act and the impact of official bilingualism on Canada and within Quebec. Files are arranged by source and topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including memorandum, newspaper clippings, reports, House of Commons debates, Cabinet meeting documents, legislation, speeches, and newsletters. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Official Languages Act, the decision making meetings that created the Official Languages Act, amendments to the Official Languages Act, assessments of the implementation and effectiveness of the Official Languages Act, language laws in Quebec, the city of Ottawa becoming bilingual, court decisions and cases based on the Official Languages Act, monetary cost of Official Bilingualism, and language training for bilingual services where numbers warrant.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples subseries contains 1 file. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, report excerpts from the Royal Commission, and transcripts. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Inuit exiles and the relocation of Inuit peoples to the high arctic in the 1950s and subsequent Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples to investigate wrongdoing.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples subseries contains 58 files discussing the Royal Commission on the relocation of Inuit families to the high arctic in the 1950s. Files are arranged by type, some of which are further arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including newspaper clippings, memorandum, correspondence, magazine articles, book chapters, journal articles, speeches, meeting minutes, transcripts of telephone conversations and interviews, press releases and promotional materials, reports, transcripts of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples, responses to the Commission report from the government and media, books about the high arctic relocations, mandates, House of Commons debates, submissions to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples, historical financial records, historical letters, and first-hand accounts of the relocations. The specific topics this subseries covers are the high arctic relocations of Inuits from the coast of Hudson’s Bay in Quebec to Grise Ford and Resolute Bay in the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut), research into government documents about the relocations, documents explaining the set up with the town store, the role of the RCMP in the newly established settlements, interpretations of history, treatment of Inuit and other aboriginal peoples by the government, education of aboriginal children, investigations into the RCMP for their treatment of Inuit peoples, administration of the territories, rights of aboriginal women, evidence presented to the Commission, conclusions and final report of the Commission, and the recommendations made by the Commission to the government on how to repair damage to the relocated Inuit families.

The Failure of Justice – Destruction of Family Businesses in Canada subseries contains six files discussing a law suit Marguerite Ritchie’s brother, Robert H. Ritchie, and father, Allan I. Ritchie, faced over trade mark registration. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries includes a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, legal research, transcripts, and court documents. The Ritchie’s were sued over the trade mark registration for a product they sold called Perm-O-Seal. The years-long law suit forced them to stop using the product for the duration of legal proceedings. The case was settled in favour of the Ritchie’s, however the drawn out legal case damaged their business.

The Failure of Justice – The Truth About Family Courts subseries contains 34 files discussing family court legislation and effectiveness and the family court cases of Marguerite Ritchie’s brother, Robert H. Ritchie. Files are arranged chronologically by case or research materials. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, legal research, transcripts of telephone conversations and court proceedings, court documents, financial records, affidavits, and newspaper clippings. Specific topics in this subseries are the divorce, finances, family court, and child custody case Robert H. Ritchie and his wife Audrey Ritchie. A property dispute between Robert H. Ritchie and Patricia Bishop over a condominium and another against Huronia Trust for possible mishandling of investments is also included, as well as case studies of child custody and broader research about family court legislation and effectiveness, child support, adoption, domestic abuse, marriage counselling, capacity to marry, Ottawa Citizen articles on child custody, foster care, social services, and family court.

The Volunteers in the Human Rights Institute of Canada subseries contains 48 files discussing volunteers at the Human Rights Institute of Canada, the projects volunteers contributed to, and their experiences at the Institute. Files are arranged by volunteer. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, summaries, background documents, contracts, surveys, reports, newspaper clippings, newsletters, programs, briefs, press releases, meeting minutes, fundraising, directories, financial statements, articles, telephone questionnaires, CVs and resumes, volunteer forms, letters of recommendation from Marguerite Ritchie for volunteers, school assignments, legislation, and membership records. The specific topics this subseries covers are Trudeau’s promises to Quebec, the Meech Lake Accord, French language rights, language rights in Quebec, Persons Case II, aboriginal rights, the roles of the Prime Minister and Senators, royal commissions, resettlement of Newfoundlanders in 1954-1973, discrimination against women in the armed forces, and political corruption.

WHISTLEBLOWERS

The Whistleblowers subseries contains 2 files discussing whistleblowers exposing government corruption. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains newspaper clippings and correspondence. The specific topics this subseries covers are legislation to protect whistleblowers and the scandals exposed by whistleblowing, including scandals on science research, foreign affairs, and health care.

The Women & Misc. – Newspaper Articles subseries contains 6 files of miscellaneous newspaper clippings on social issues. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains newspaper clippings. The specific topics this subseries covers are women’s achievements, the Human Rights Commission, the RCMP and police, refugees, capital punishment in Canada, the Quebec separation referendums, and Quebec language laws.

The Women – Challenges to Injustice subseries contains 54 files discussing issues of inequality that affect women. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, brochures, newspaper clippings, transcripts, memorandum, historical research, reports, legislation, court documents, submissions to parliamentary committees, Senate debates, resolutions, House of Commons debates, speeches, CVs and resumes, press releases, magazines, newsletters, legal research, chronologies of events, directories, glossary of terms, information sheet, surveys, and papers. The specific topics this subseries covers are women’s studies programs at universities, anti-discrimination bills and discrimination against women, child sexual abuse, women and religion, women’s suffrage, women’s education and employment, women’s roles, women in government and politics, the equal rights amendment, equal pay, personhood of women, status of women around the world, United Nations conventions and celebration years for women and human rights, violence against women, the Montreal Massacre, Persons Case II, equality for visible minorities, divorce and financial issues, the merit principle, spousal support, provincial health insurance, human trafficking, Sharia Law, polygamy, rape law, abortion laws, child support, taxes and pensions, legal double standards, citizenship of married persons, gendered language, race relations, property law, female circumcision, women’s health, jury duty for women, and termination based on discrimination.

The Women – Challenges to Injustice - Abortion subseries contains 15 files discussing abortion law and the Henry Morgentaller case. Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, interview transcripts, House of Commons debates, court documents, press releases, briefs, Senate debates, newsletters, magazines, studies, booklets, posters, law reviews, historical research, and documents for the Morgentaller case. The specific topics this subseries covers are specific cases charging people with performing abortions, reports on abortion laws worldwide, historical research on abortion laws and practices in the 19th and 20th century, legislation restricting performances of abortion to medical doctors, a presentation from the Human Rights Institute of Canada to a legislative committee studying a bill on abortion, public opinion surveys on Canadians’ opinion on abortion, landmark Supreme Court case that held that the father could not stop a woman from having an abortion, and working papers with arguments against abortion.

The Women – Challenges to Injustice - Projects subseries contains 10 files discussing cases of legal injustice contributed to by the Human Rights Institute. Files are arranged by project and include some general information about refugees. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, newspaper clippings, memorandum, CVs and resumes, papers, reports, medical reports, articles, transcripts, applications and work histories for refugee status, affidavit, policies, speeches, statistics, and United Nations treaties. The specific topics this subseries covers are refugee status, refugees admitted into Canada, adaptation of immigrants to life in Canada, Marguerite Ritchie and the Human Rights Institute of Canada’s involvement in the cases of refugee status claimants, Marguerite Ritchie and the Human Rights Institute of Canada’s involvement in getting medical treatment of veterans, and Marguerite Ritchie and the Human Rights Institute of Canada’s involvement with specific cases of discrimination, including religious discrimination against a scientologist.

The Women – Challenges to Injustice - Research subseries contains 11 files of research on women in crisis. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including press releases, conference papers, briefs, United Nations reports, information sheets, speeches, magazines, correspondence, law reviews, newsletters, book chapters, court documents, and legislation. The specific topics this subseries covers are discrimination against women, women in politics, violence against women, the status of women, women judges, women’s studies at universities, the future of feminism, sexual assault, abortion, domestic workers, women’s education and employment, women in medicine, gendered language, suffrage, equality, sex work, equal rights amendments, public morals, and women in the justice system.

The Women – Challenges to Injustice – Sexual Harassment subseries contains 5 files discussing the workplace sexual harassment law suit of Rachelle Labelle. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, court documents, memorandum, tribunal decisions report, police reports, witness statements, House of Commons debates, transcripts, conference agendas, and administrative documents. The specific topics this subseries covers are sexual harassment in the workplace, discrimination based on gender and marital status within the federal government, and the Rachelle Labelle sexual harassment suit. Rachelle Labelle was terminated from her post as Administrative Assistant for the Treasury Board of Canada secretariat’s Task Force on Informatics. This subseries documents the Labelle case in the Supreme Court of Canada and contains supporting materials from similar sexual harassment cases, such as the Bonnie Robichaud case.

WOMEN-NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

The Women – Newspaper Articles subseries contains 106 files of newspaper articles written on women’s rights and women’s issues. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains predominately newspaper clippings as well as some reports, newsletters, magazines, transcripts, and correspondence. The specific topics this subseries covers are women in politics, equal pay, women’s potential, working mothers, labour laws, women’s employment, women’s education, pensions, representation of women in politics and the media, fertility and menopause, sexual mores, sexual assault, religion, rape, divorce, crime, gender stereotypes, women in sports, infanticide, motherhood, sex work, juvenile delinquents, beauty standards, class discrimination, prison, birth control, abortion, sex education, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, the women’s liberation movement and feminism, civil rights and the challenges faced by black women, integration, women’s unions, desertion, gendered language, French-English relations in Canada, aboriginal life, representation of women and minorities in textbooks, women in politics and women’s rights in foreign countries, the Indian Act, women’s suffrage, Sharia law and the rights of Muslim women, maternity leave, segregation in South Africa, women in the USSR, aboriginal language rights, legalization of homosexual behaviour, female criminals, the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, the exclusion of women, and marriage name changes.

WOMEN-PROMINENT FEMINISTS

The Women – Prominent Feminists subseries contains 16 files discussing feminists, women’s organizations, and submissions of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. Files are arranged chronologically by person. This subseries contains a variety of document types including speeches, recommendations, correspondence, newspaper clippings, memorandum, transcripts, reports, analysis, conference planning documents, press releases, brochures, briefs, and submissions to the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. The specific topics this subseries covers are labour equality, education, childcare, marriage, abortion, gender roles, women in the work force, discrimination against women, women in the armed forces, women’s groups, women in law, aboriginal women, and the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, including the final report published in 1970 with 127 recommendations to promote gender equality and equal opportunity.

WOMEN-RESEARCH

The Women – Research subseries contains 7 files of publications from government departments and unions on women’s rights. Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including government publications, House of Commons debates, union publications, minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Sub-Committee on Equality Rights of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, The Facts magazine, and government reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are affirmative action, equality in public service, gender based analysis, health and welfare, gender based violence, and sexual assault.

The Women – Research – Books, Booklets, and Pamphlets subseries contains 52 files of published materials discussing women’s rights. Some files are arranged by source. This subseries contains a variety of document types including brochures, facts sheets, recommendations, reports, analyses, reviews, booklets, press releases, discussion papers, conference reports, briefing notes for the House of Commons, legislation, books, pamphlets, journals, magazines, and Parliamentary debates from Britain. The specific topics this subseries covers are sexual abuse, violence against women, divorce, women’s employment, family and criminal law, the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labour Canada, equal pay, labour laws and gender discrimination, immigration, citizenship, welfare and social services, education of girls and women, birth control, socialization, women's equality in Sweden and the USA, legal status of women, and women in prison.

The Women’s Legal Research Materials subseries contains 100 files of legal research pertaining to women’s rights and issues that affect women. This subseries contains legal research materials including Supreme Court decisions, provincial and federal legislation, legal dictionary entries, House of Commons and Senate debates, legal articles, and constitutional law research materials. The specific topics this subseries covers are divorce, women’s education, the Canadian labour code, jury duty, status of women, pay equality, gender discrimination, offshore mineral rights, female Senators, child custody, maintenance payments, child abuse and seduction laws, welfare, the justice system, professional ethics, human trafficking, the Indian Act, pensions, civil servants, historical divorce cases, segregation and civil rights, representation of women, women’s roles, gendered language in law, rights of married women and widows, veterans, appointment of judges, constitutional law, illegitimate children, immigration, and genocide. Date ranges refer to publication dates of historical legislation, though files contain copies only.

The Women – Sexual Harassment – Bonnie Robichaud’s Case subseries contains 19 files discussing the sexual harassment lawsuit of Bonnie Robichaud, a cleaner for the Department of National Defense base in North Bay, Ontario, against her supervising foreman and the resulting Supreme Court of Canada landmark decision holding employers responsible for ending sexual harassment in the workplace. Files are arranged chronologically or by type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, court documents, newspaper clippings, informational pamphlets, newsletters, press releases, affidavits, memorandum, legislation, and case reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are Bonnie Robichaud’s sexual harassment lawsuit, narratives of the events, tracking of the process of the court case, affidavits from Marguerite Ritchie on workplace sexual harassment submitted for the case, informational booklets written by Bonnie Robichaud about workplace sexual harassment, comparisons of workplace harassment and discrimination laws before and after this case, and case studies of sexual harassment and workplace harassment in Canada. This case was appealed several times, including to the Human Rights Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Canada before resolving in favour of Bonnie Robichaud.

The Women – Women’s Struggles with the Federal Government subseries contains 32 files discussing members of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the work members are focused on, and Council documents. Files are arranged by person or type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, press releases, reports, legislation, transcripts, speeches, meeting minutes, biographies, House of Commons debates, Senate debates, policies, fact sheets, and background information. The specific topics this subseries covers are the Persons Case, the Famous Five, support for Persons Case II, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and a follow-up 20 years later, legal rights of women, immigration, the Human Rights Act and Human Rights Commission, abortion, pay equality, violence against women, discrimination against women, United Nations conferences on discrimination against women, gender based policy analysis, funding for research into women’s rights and issues, maternity leave, labour equality, women in politics, and the advancement of women in developing nations.

WOMEN-WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS

The Women – Women’s Organizations subseries contains 49 files discussing women’s organizations from across Canada and their work for women’s rights. Files are arranged by organization, type, and chronology. This subseries contains a variety of document types including journals, correspondence, magazines, memorandum, newspaper clippings, newsletters, press releases, reports, presentations, and conference materials. The specific topics this subseries covers are the status of women, employment equality, childcare, status rights of aboriginal women, women in government, divorce and maintenance payments, sex work, maternity leave, education for women, women’s roles, status rights of married women, communism and the cold war, women’s representation, Persons Case II, abortion, racism, and gender discrimination.

The Women – Women’s Programs within the Federal Government subseries contains 5 files discussing the status of women in society. Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including fact sheets and background information, correspondence, reports, presentations, newspaper clippings, press releases, and government publications. The specific topics this subseries covers are the status of women in the labour force, political and social equality of women, childcare for working mothers, and biographical information on Sylva Gelber, Director of the Women's Bureau of the Canada Department of Labour.