We present a timeline of Canada’s secular and humanist heritage.

• 2011 – 2017

  The “Imagine No Religion” (INR) conferences were held in Kamloops (British Columbia) and Toronto (Ontario). Each weekend-long conference gathered prominent speakers and activists to discuss issues of humanism and secularism. The initiative was led by Bill and Kathy Ligertwood of the Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought. The final conference in the series (INR7) was held in Toronto in 2017. The concept was renewed in the BAHACON conferences in Sarnia, Ontario (2022-2025).

• 2012

  The B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the right to die with dignity is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This decision was appealed by then Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s (Progressive Conservative) federal government.

• 2013

  The Québec government tabled right-to-die legislation in the National Assembly.

• 2013

  A Charter of Quebec Values (Bill 60) was proposed by Pauline Marois’ Parti Quebecois government. The bill was tabled by Bernard Drainville, Minister responsible for Democratic Institutions and Active Citizenship. The bill led to significant controversy and debate throughout Canada and within the Canadian humanist movement. The bill died in March of 2014 but it informed later legislation in the form of Bill 62 (2017).

• 2014

  Bill 52 – An Act Respecting End of Life Care was passed into law, allowing adult residents of Québec suffering unbearably with an incurable or terminal illness to receive physician assistance at end-of-life. 

• 2014

  

  On September 20, 2014, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was opened to the public. Located in the City of Winnipeg, one of the Museum’s guiding principles is to inspire human rights, reflection and dialogue.

  Dr. Richard Thain planned to advertise his opposition to the public funding of Catholic school systems in Canada. His idea was to leverage local and national media coverage of the museum’s grand opening to bring attention to his position on this issue. The theme of the ads was that the system of public funding for Catholic schools in Ontario is a human rights disgrace.

The timeline is currently under construction. Think we’re missing something? Let us know!

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