Equality First: The Royal Commission on the Status of Women
The Story
The Royal Commission on the Status of Women, called by Prime Minister Pearson in February 1967, held the notion of equal opportunity as its precept. Chaired by journalist Florence Bird, the panel was criticized both for exceeding traditional boundaries and also for hedging on the conservative. But the great undercurrent born of the Bird Commission was a renunciation against inequality.
Feminism in 2001
The Bird Commission and feminism are re-evaluated in 2001.
The Bird Commission report after 30 years
On International Women's Day 30 years after the Bird Commission's final report, CBC Radio's This Morning's Ralph Benmergui hosts a…
The Bird Commission 10 years later: perspective and constitutional change
Ten years have passed since the Bird Commission released its final report. Some recommendations have succeeded while others remain unresolved.
Elsie MacGill on the status of women in 1970
Status of Women commission member Elsie MacGill answers questions on Cross Country Check-up.
Prospects for the Bird Commission report
Reporter Ron Collister assesses the chances of the report's recommendations being adopted and Commissioner Florence Bird talks about some of…
Bird Commission issues its report
It's 488 pages long and contains 167 recommendations - the Bird Commission's final report is at last issued and is…
‘Big Sister is Watching’
Peter Whalley tackles the 1968 Royal Commission on The Status of Women in this offbeat clip.
Commission on the Status of Women hears submissions
Mrs. John (Florence) Bird, otherwise known as Anne Francis, talks about the work of the commission and what it has…
French-Canadian women demand change in abortion, divorce laws
A woman's right to choose is key among the arguments the Bird Commission hears as it rolls through Quebec City…
Status of Indigenous women discussed at Bird Commission hearing
At the Commission hearing in Regina, an impassioned speech on the status of Aboriginal women unexpectedly moves the crowd to…
Farm wives testify at Bird Commission
Three representatives from the Farm Women's Union of Alberta talk to reporter Ed Reid about discrimination against farm women.
Women in the labour force of 1968
The Montreal YWCA offers training for women seeking to widen their horizons with second careers.
Canadian feminists fight for change
The Bird Commission has been in full swing for just over one month now and the subject of what women…
Why the Bird Commission on the Status of Women?
Two weeks before the Royal Commission is officially set in motion, Prime Minister Pearson and chairperson Florence Bird discuss their…