British Columbia repeals the Sexual Sterilization Act

The Sexual Sterilization Act was in effect in British Columbia for 40 years. On April 18, 1973, the legislation was repealed, although some have argued sterilization practices continued for sometime afterward, until the Supreme Court of Canada made a decision in E. (Mrs.) vs. Eve (1986). Although counts vary, it is estimated that around 330 individuals were sterilized under the mandate of this legislation (citation).

The role of this legislation in the history of eugenics is notable. The Sexual Sterilization Act was one of only two pieces of legislation enacted in Canada; the other being Alberta. The legislation's scope, content, and outline is similar to other sterilization legislation active at the time (e.g., Alberta and California). For example, there was direct communication between proponents of sterilization in California and British Columbia.

-Luke Kersten

  • Province of British Columbia. (1933). An Act Respecting Sexual Sterilization. Statutes of the Province of British Columbia.

  • van Heeswijk, G. (1994). "An Act Respecting Sexual Sterilization": Reasons for Enacting and Repealing the Act. (Masters thesis). University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

British Columbia repeals the Sexual Sterilization Act

The Sexual Sterilization Act was in effect in British Columbia for 40 years. On April 18, 1973, the legislation was repealed, although some have argued sterilization practices continued for sometime afterward, until the Supreme Court of Canada made a decision in E. (Mrs.) vs. Eve (1986). Although counts vary, it is estimated that around 330 individuals were sterilized under the mandate of this legislation (citation).

The role of this legislation in the history of eugenics is notable. The Sexual Sterilization Act was one of only two pieces of legislation enacted in Canada; the other being Alberta. The legislation's scope, content, and outline is similar to other sterilization legislation active at the time (e.g., Alberta and California). For example, there was direct communication between proponents of sterilization in California and British Columbia.

-Luke Kersten

  • Province of British Columbia. (1933). An Act Respecting Sexual Sterilization. Statutes of the Province of British Columbia.

  • van Heeswijk, G. (1994). "An Act Respecting Sexual Sterilization": Reasons for Enacting and Repealing the Act. (Masters thesis). University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.