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Sterilization in Canada
Introduction to Criminology (CRM1300)
University of Ottawa
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Criminology – Lecture 6
Sterilization in Canada
September 28, 2022
MIDTERM:
50-60 multiple choice questions. PowerPoints, readings, and videos
STERILIATION IN CANADA:
Sterilization laws were passed in Alberta in 1929 and in British Columbia in 1933 Over 4800 people were authorized for sterilization under Alberta’s Sexual Sterilisation Act to control the reproduction of people deemed incompetent and genetically defective Was widely believed that the transmission of mental deficiency posed a danger to the social fabric of the nation Dr. Clarence Hincks (1946) – “Sterilise the unfit” o “Sub normality and mental unfitness seem to be on the increase in Canada... we can expect the percentage to mount unless we act soon to improve the mental quality of our stock. For the mentally unfit are apparently breeding after than the fit, and will continue to do so until we prevent those with undesirable hereditary traits from passing their disabilities to their children” Case file analysis indicates that individuals were sterilized for the following reasons... o Behavioural difficulties o Deprivation of family support (spouse has abandoned you or dead, single parent) o Impoverished family environment (home environment not suitable, not considered safe) o Precondition to institutional release (choice of being sterilized before coming back to mental institution) Case file analysis also shows that the act was disproportionately applied to... o Females o Unemployed persons o The unmarried o People living in rural areas o Ethnic minorities Sexual Sterilization Act was repealed in 1972 It is still happening in Canada today o 2018: Class Action Lawsuit - Reports from 100+ Indigenous women, some as recent as 2018 - “State-sponsored sexual assault” o 2022: Senate Committee on Human Rights report
- Practice persists, disproportionately affects vulnerable and marginalized groups
Documentary – o “Given up because I was cross-eyed, and she thought I had a problem” o Leilani Muir o Eugenics: some type of trait runs in family (bad traits), selective breeding of humans o Positive Eugenics: encourage people to have children with certain people. o Sterilized without their knowledge o
Sterilization in Canada
Course: Introduction to Criminology (CRM1300)
University: University of Ottawa
