January 28, 2016

Message from the Governor General of Canada on the Occasion of the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage

OTTAWA—On January 28, 1916, women won the right to vote in the Province of Manitoba. It started a domino effect across the country, as one province and then the next introduced women’s suffrage. Two years later, the bill giving women the right to vote was passed by the Parliament of Canada. 

It has been a century since that landmark decision was made in Winnipeg. Yet even with the leaps and bounds in our social progress, there are still shortfalls to equality. As parents of five daughters, Sharon and I know well the barriers that women can face today. And now, we also have granddaughters for whom we want to build a better and more inclusive world. 

During this centennial year of women’s suffrage, we must persevere, as a nation, in our efforts to ensure that every Canadian has the same rights as the next.

David Johnston

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Media information:

Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca

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