19 October 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case:
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to mark the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case. On October 18, 1929, women were legally deemed to be persons, paving the way for full participation in public life. This landmark decision changed the course of history for women in Canada.
“In 1979, the Government of Canada instituted the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case to honour the ongoing contributions of women. On October 1, 2009, six exemplary Canadians received these awards; Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, Daphne Dumont, Bev LeFrancois, Karen Messing, Mary Scott and Pauline Fogarty have all worked to improve the lives of women across Canada.
“As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case, we also recognize the outstanding actions of women across Canada who are making our country a better place for all of us.”
