<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The history of feminism in Canada has been a gradual struggle aimed at establishing equal rights . The history of Canadian feminism, like modern Western feminism in other countries, has been divided by scholars into four "waves", each describing a period of intense activism and social change . The use of "waves" has been critiqued for its failure to include feminist activism of, for example, Aboriginal and Québécois women who organized for changes in their own communities as well as for larger social change . </P> <P> The first wave of feminism in Canada occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries . This early activism was focused on increasing women's role in public life, with goals including women's suffrage, increased property rights, increased access to education, and recognition as "persons" under the law . This early iteration of Canadian feminism was largely based in maternal feminism; the idea that women are natural caregivers and "mothers of the nation" who should participate in public life because of their perceived propensity for decisions that will result in good care of society . In this view, women were seen to be a civilizing force on society--which was a significant part of women's engagement in missionary work and in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). </P> <P> The first wave in Canada was different in Québec . Although the first wave was developed at an earlier time, many women in Québec had to wait until April 1940 for their right to vote and run in elections . </P>

When did the women's rights movement begin in canada