Women Winning the Vote in Canada

Story Outline

The Manitoba Breakthrough:
The Manitoba Suffrage Campaign and Mock Parliament

"Suffrage Bill Gets Third Reading amid Scene of Unparalleled Enthusiasm," read the headlines of the Manitoba Free Press on January 28, 1916. For the first time in Canada, legislation was being passed allowing women the same voting rights as men. On rising to move the third reading, T. H. Johnson (acting premier in the absence of Premier T. C. Norris) reportedly "dwelt on the stupendous importance of Manitoba's action in being the first Canadian province to enfranchise women."

The victory for women in Manitoba was hard won. It came exactly two years after the famous women's 'mock parliament.' On January 27, 1914, a large delegation of men and women approached the Conservative premier, Sir Rodmond Roblin, with their demand for women's suffrage. His rebuff was well noted, and the next day, January 28, 1914, the members of the Political Equality League staged a satirical play called, A Women's Parliament at Winnipeg's Walker Theatre. Playing to a sold-out audience, the drama reversed the roles of men and women in a hilarious parody of the previous day's event. Flaws in the premier's arguments were revelled in, as a delegation of men approached an all-women's parliament lobbying for votes for men. The play consolidated support for the women's cause, and helped fund the rest of the campaign. However, not until the Roblin government was replaced by the Liberals under Norris, and not until the suffrage supporters presented the new premier with petitions of more than 40,000 names, was the legislation finally passed that gave most women in Manitoba the right to vote in provincial elections.

"The Women of Manitoba want to help slay the dragon." Grain Grower's Guide, September 1, 1915

The timely and effective use of drama and petitions to make their point was characteristic of the women's suffrage movement across Canada. The women leading the campaigns rallied support through a wide variety of such creative, non-violent and legal means - banners, marches, speaking engagements, debates, brochures, displays at public functions and even teas, essay contests, songs, and the use of pageantry, including colours and fashion.