HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF WOMEN, WOMEN FARMERS AND THE UPA

A recap of some key victories offers historical perspective, as these advances are both recent and fragile. These are the battles won by our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers who achieved a fairer and more equal society.

TIMELINE

This timeline retraces the battles waged to win women farmers agricultural property rights comparable to those of men.

WINS

What the AQ has accomplished for agriculture:

FACILITATING ACCESS TO PROPERTY
One of the longest battles women have fought
PARENTAL LEAVE FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED
A fruitful campaign for farming families
MAKING GENDER PARITY A GOAL FOR THE SECTOR
Because women should have a voice in agricultural decisions

1924
Founding of the Union catholique des cultivateurs (UCC, the Catholic farmers’ union).
On the heels of an economic crisis, some 2,400 farmers meet in Quebec to found the UCC. “This has been one of the most joyous occasions in recent memory. And let us never forget the hardships endured to make the birth of this entirely reasonable ‘Union’ possible. It is born and it deserves to live. And we must have the fervent will to keep it alive.” (L’Action française, 1924)
1929
Founding of the La Terre de chez nous newspaper.
1929
1931
Women married in a community of property regime gain possession of their wages and the assets they acquire with them.
1934
Married women can now open a bank account in their own name.
1934
1940
Women in Quebec win the right to vote and the right to run in provincial elections.
“Thérèse Casgrain’s suffragettes spent years fighting to win women the right to vote in Quebec. From 1922 to 1939, the National Assembly [Quebec’s parliament] rejected 13 bills for women’s suffrage.”
1943
Passing of the Compulsory Education Act (Loi de l’instruction obligatoire). The law makes school mandatory until the age of 14, with a positive effect on schooling for girls.
1943
1956
Act respecting the marketing of agricultural products (Loi sur la mise en marché des produits agricoles).
1960
The federal government approves the sale of the contraceptive pill.
1960
1964
Quebec passes employment discrimination legislation.
1964
Quebec passes the Act respecting the legal capacity of married women (Loi sur la capacité juridique de la femme mariée).
The enactment of Bill 16, amending women’s civil rights, ends the legal incapacity of married women and reins in marital powers and paternal authority—spouses are henceforth considered partners in the moral and material direction of the family.

1964
1964
The Parent Report democratizes education, helping women access post-secondary and professional studies. It recommends co-education and free education.
1968
The federal parliament passes the Divorce Act, expanding the right of divorce: from now on, adultery is no longer the sole approved grounds for divorce.
The Act recognizes physical or mental cruelty as sufficient grounds to file for and obtain a divorce.

1968
1970
Quebec Health Insurance Plan and the Health and Social Services Network.
1971
Maternity benefits program under the federal unemployment insurance program.
1971
1972
Farm Producers Act (Loi des producteurs agricoles).
The UCC changes its name to the Union des producteurs agricoles. The UPA is recognized as the official representative of all agricultural producers in Quebec. It gains the power to withhold mandatory dues and contributions.
1972-1975
First abortion clinics, acquittal of Dr. Henry Morgentaler.
1972-1975
1974
A research committee of the Association féminine d’éducation et d’action sociale (AFEAS, the women’s association for education and social action) conducts a survey on the status and situation of women who work in their husbands’ businesses, without pay or recognition. It reveals that all women working with their husbands in small businesses face common challenges and that action is needed.
1975
Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
1975
1978
The Act respecting labour standards (Loi sur les normes du travail) and legal measures to protect workers who are pregnant or exercising their right to maternity leave.
1979
During the General Congress of the UPA, three representatives from each of the regional federations attend a workshop for women business partners to define business partners status.
1979
1980
The new Civil Code recognizes spousal equality.
1980
The General Congress strikes a committee on women business partners to study the role and status of the wives of agricultural producers within the UPA. This committee concludes that the status of women in the UPA must be that of agricultural producers.
1980
1981
Right to preventive leave for pregnant or breastfeeding workers (CSST, the occupational health and safety commission).
1981
The General Congress of the UPA accepts the committee’s recommendation to hold a provincial symposium on women in agriculture.
1981
1983
Provincial day of study on the status of women in agriculture.
On this occasion, participants ask the UPA to form committees in every region of Quebec, with technical and financial support from the UPA, which it accepted.
1986
Act respecting farm financing (Loi sur le financement agricole).
This eliminates the discriminatory clause that excluded a wife’s right to the start-up subsidy, marking a major step forward in equality for the agriculture sector. Wives aged 40 and up are, however, still denied access to property rights.

1986
1987
Foundation of the Fédération des agricultrices du Québec.
This ensures that farming women and men share in the day-to-day work not only on the farm, but also in decision-making.
1989
The Matrimonial Property Act (Loi sur le patrimoine familial) prescribes dividing the value of the family property in equal parts after separation of the couple.
1989
1989
Recognition of spouses working on the farm as employees.
1990
At the General Congress, Quebec Minister of Agriculture Yvon Picotte announces that the property access program will apply to spouses aged 40 and up.
1990
1993
Marketing mission to France, with the participation of 10 women farmers from Quebec.
1994
A declaration in Manitoba officially recognizes the socio-economic value of the contribution of women farmers.
1994
1995
Automatic child support payments.
1996
Universal health insurance system.
1996
1996
Pay Equity Act (Loi sur l’équité salariale).
2005
Women’s Global Charter for Humanity.
2005
2005
CSST (occupational health and safety commission) award in the Initiatives de prévention à la ferme (on-farm prevention initiatives) competition for creation of a poster.
2006-2008
Lobbying campaign to win the right to maternity leave for women farmers (QPIP). All self-employed women benefit from this right.
2006-2008
2007
Gender parity in the Quebec cabinet for the first time in history.
2008
The Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ) conducts a study entitled Les agricultrices qui sont-elles? (Women farmers: who are they?).
2008
2008
Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP).
2008
Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms amended to enshrine gender equality in the constitution.
2008
2010
The Quebec government completes its pay equity audit.
2012
Local syndicates designate positions within the UPA for women farmers and earmark extraordinary five-year UPA funding for AQ.
2012
2012
Pauline Marois becomes the first woman elected as Premier of Quebec.
2012
The National Assembly passes a unanimous motion asking the federal government to stop constantly calling abortion rights into question.
2012
2015
Province-wide consultation on women and rural life.

Agricultrices du Québec Privacy Officer

Ms. Raphaële St-Amand-Valente
Maison de l’UPA – 555, boul. Roland-Therrien
bureau 100, Longueuil Qc J4H 3Y9
Tél. : 438 807-0421 | rprp@upa.qc.ca

HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF WOMEN, WOMEN FARMERS AND THE UPA

TIMELINE

WINS

What the AQ has accomplished for agriculture:

FACILITATING ACCESS TO PROPERTY

PARENTAL LEAVE FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED

MAKING GENDER PARITY A GOAL FOR THE SECTOR

PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AMONG CHILDREN

TAKING ACTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH

SHEDDING LIGHT ON INVISIBLE WORK

FACILITATING ACCESS TO PROPERTY

PARENTAL LEAVE FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED

MAKING GENDER PARITY A GOAL FOR THE SECTOR

PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AMONG CHILDREN

TAKING ACTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH

SHEDDING LIGHT ON INVISIBLE WORK

1924

1929

1929

1931

1934

1934

1940

1943

1943

1956

1960

1960

1964

1964

1964

1964

1968

1968

1970

1971

1971

1972

1972-1975

1972-1975

1974

1975

1975

1978

1979

1979

1980

1980

1980

1981

1981

1981

1983

1986

1986

1987

1989

1989

1989

1990

1990

1993

1994

1994

1995

1996

1996

1996

2005

2005

2005

2006-2008

2006-2008

2007

2008

2008

2008

2008

2008