The History Of Person’s Day

Written by Joanné Scherman

Did you know that women used to not be recognized as people in Canada? They weren’t allowed to vote, hold any position in government, or voice their opinions politically. October 18 marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal.¹ Before this, the word “persons” as used in the British North American Act, did not include women. 

"Person's Day" in Canada is primarily associated with the "Persons Case," a pivotal legal battle that significantly advanced women's rights in Canada. The ruling was a result of the 1927 court case led by Canada’s Famous 5, Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, and Irene Parlby.²  Initially they lost, but appealed to the Privy Council in London, which overturned the decision. It enabled women to hold seats in the Senate, and join numerous other government positions, which was a pivotal step towards gender equality at the time.

(Famous 5 -Government of Canada)

The origins of the "Persons Case" can be traced back to a 1917 trial in Calgary involving an alleged prostitute,

Lizzie Cyr. This case inadvertently tested the right of women to hold high public office in Alberta, specifically through the role of Calgary Police Magistrate Alice Jamieson.³ The successful outcome of this initial challenge set in motion a twelve-year legal struggle that ultimately led to the landmark 1929 ruling. However, this victory for women's rights was achieved at the expense of Lizzie Cyr's rights, leading some to view the "Persons Case" as a "tainted victory".

Bibliography: 

¹ (“Persons Day”, Government of Canada, Published October 21st 2024, Accessed November 12th 2025.)

²  (“The Persons’ Case”, Famou5 Foundation, Accessed November 12th 2025.)

 ³ ( de Bruin, Tabitha. Cruickshank, David. McIntosh, Andrew. “Persons Case”, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Published February 7th 2006, Accessed November 12th 2025.)