The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights

The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights entered into force on May 1, 1947, and was the first Bill of Rights in Canada, predating the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960).
The Bill was primarily written by Morris Shumiatcher, a Jewish lawyer and human rights advocate who himself experienced a great deal of discrimination over the course of his life.
Another major contributor was governing Premier Tommy Douglas of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) who appointed Shumiatcher to become Saskatchewan's Law Officer to the Attorney General.
In the post-war period, many provinces, including Saskatchewan, began re-evaluating civil and human rights as discrimination, racism, and prejudice was widespread.
When addressing the Saskatchewan legislature in March 1947, Attorney General J.W. Corman said "I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, that this is perhaps the most important bill that ever came before this house... in importance, it will rank with the British North America Act".
The Bill contains 19 sections and guaranteed the freedom of expression and association, right to vote, right to join a professional organization and union, and freedom from arbitrary imprisonment for all people of all classes.
The Bill also stated that regardless of race, colour, creed, religion or nationality, every person in Saskatchewan had the right to engage in any occupation or enterprise, be a member of any professional or trade association, buy or rent property, obtain education, or be served or assisted in public establishments.
The Bill states that any servant or agent of the Crown is bound by the Bill (i.e. politicians, police officers, judges, etc) and states that any violations to the policy will be subject to fines, penalties, or imprisonment.
Like most initial human rights legislations, the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights had some criticisms including its limitations being a statutory bill instead of an entrenched bill and the concerns over affording greater power to the courts rather than elected government officials.