Saskatchewan Bill of Rights


The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights is a statute of the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan, first enacted by the provincial Legislature in 1947. It was the first bill of rights enacted in the Commonwealth of Nations since the original Bill of Rights enacted by the English Parliament in 1689. It was also the forerunner of modern human rights legislation in Canada.
The Bill of Rights continues to be in force, through incorporation into The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, the current provincial statute protecting human rights.

Provisions of the ''Saskatchewan Bill of Rights''

Fundamental rights and freedoms

The first part of the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights set out fundamental rights and freedoms:
The Bill of Rights also prohibited various types of discrimination, on the grounds of race, creed, religion, colour, or ethnic or national origin:
The Bill of Rights also contained enforcement provisions:
The Bill also stated that except as provided in the Bill itself, the enumeration of rights and freedoms in the Bill did not derogate from any rights, freedoms or liberties which anyone enjoyed by law.
The Bill came into force on May 1, 1947.

Incorporation into ''The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code''

In 1979, Saskatchewan enacted The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, which amalgamated several different statutes into one code, and provided a uniform enforcement process, through the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. The portion of the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights dealing with fundamental rights and freedoms was incorporated as the first part of the Code and continues in force. The provisions barring discrimination were incorporated into the Code as well.