Rene Who? Most Canadians struggle to ID icons

A new poll from the Dominion Institute tested Canadians' knowledge of national icons by asking them to identify photographs of several figures. While scores were high for some, those from the distant past proved a problem.

CTV News Channel: Jeremy Diamond, of the Dominion Institute, on the results

The managing director of the institute that commissioned the poll is baffled by the finding and suggests that in Canada, 'we don't seem to elevate and pump up our individuals and our accomplishments.'

Canada AM: The poll commissioned by The Dominion Institute shows few could identify the first prime minister

A new survey paints a dismal picture of Canadians' ability to identify key national icons by photograph, revealing that only four out of every 10 people could name Sir John A. Macdonald.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Mon. Jun. 29 2009 4:53 PM ET

A new survey paints a dismal picture of Canadians' ability to identify key national icons by photograph, revealing that only four out of every 10 people could name Sir John A. Macdonald.

The online survey conducted by Ipsos Reid for the Dominion Institute was released in time for Canada's 142nd birthday. But there's little in the findings to celebrate.

Most Canadians -- 88 per cent -- could name international pop star Celine Dion from a photograph, and 77 per cent correctly named Wayne Gretzky.

But a paltry 19 per cent could identify the father of Medicare Tommy Douglas, sometimes considered the greatest Canadian, and only 27 per cent could name Metis leader Louis Riel.

"These are very troubling results, particularly from a historic perspective when you look at the fact that only 41 per cent of Canadians know who John A. Macdonald is -- his face is on our $10 bill, he was our first prime minister" said Marc Chalifoux, executive director of The Dominion Institute.

"These are Canadians we erect statues for and put on bank notes. We give great tributes to them but that meaning gets lost if we don't know what that tribute means."

The study provided participants with 10 images of Canadian icons from the past and present, from Douglas to Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

They were asked to type, without assistance, the first name of each person in the box below their name.

In only four of the pictures were a majority of participants able to identify the person in the image.

Following are the results of the study:

8 per cent of Canadians were able to identify Sir Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin.
41 per cent identified Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister.
46 per cent of Canadians could identify Quebec sovereigntist Rene Levesque, while within Quebec 87 per cent got it right.
49 per cent correctly named Michaelle Jean as Canada's governor general.
73 per cent correctly named former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau
89 per cent of those polled correctly identified Terry Fox from a photograph.

Chalifoux told CTV.ca the study results suggest that for Canadians who didn't live through the eras of these iconic figures -- they simply don't resonate in their memories.

This underscores the fact that Canadians must do a better job of passing on the stories and history of the country, he said.

"I find often we're too timid as Canadians, too modest when it comes to telling our stories, talking about Canada's heroes, Canada's icons, or great Canadian achievements," he said.

"It's time we step up to the plate and do a better job of telling those stories."

Comments are now closed for this story

Katherine
said
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I have to agree this is more due to exposure. When I was in school, all we ever learnt in history was about Canada. Even with much broader issues like the World Wars, it was always what Canada's role was. Infact, we spent so much time learning about Canada, I didn't have a clue about other important historical events like the Civil War. Even my geography was bad, outside of Canada, of course. So I don't think more Canada-specific education is needed, infact, I think it should be far less than it is now.

Sherry Anne
said
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Wade - where did you get that Trudeau wore a german war helmet - he was of course part of the Cdn Officers Training Corps when he was conscripted into the Cdn Army....I would be interested to learn where you came up with this idea....

Lisa C
said
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Here in Moose Jaw, SK, there is only one high school that plays our National Anthem each morning. One of the other schools (Central) won't play it because it might be considered offensive to some. Another highschool, (Peacock) doesn't play it, because they don't have enough time to play it.
Offensive? Not enough time?
This is for our country! Yours and mine!
And the song is less than 2 minutes long!
With this type of begining, it is no wonder that there is no patriotism or rich Canadian history being fostered in our youth!
I myself was never taught much of our history back in Ontario high school.
I guess it's not polictically correct.
How do you know where you are going if you don't know where you came from?

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western sea.
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!

Refrain:

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons, and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea.
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!

Refrain
Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our Dominion in thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

Refrain ~This is the whole song-English version~

Bill Moyer Trenton
said
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A number of comments here blame the schools. What about life after school? Are adults too lazy / unmotivated to learn about their country? Pride in your nation doesn't stop on graduation day. Turn off the Doctor Phil and crack a book on Canadian history and culture. We have a lot to be proud of; it�s worth the read.

Sherry Katrina
said
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When I and my friends were younger we learned history, geography, biology etc all the time, not just certain years and even then only half a semester etc. Our Canadian history was important to know and then we also were taught world history. We knew more of the world back then. Many kids now if you ask them simple things they have no clue. If you ask a young person from Quebec about the FLW, Oka crisis they look at you as if you have two heads. some of the kids would love to know more but the education system has changed so much they do not benefit from this knowledge. Shame. It's the same as "Gym" - we spent more times out doors away from computers and games, had some great gym periods and were in better shape in the long run. Some kids yes got into trouble but most of us were too busy playing and enjoying ourselves to get into the kind of "deadly" trouble many youth of today are into.

Jessica from Toronto
said
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Canada is bombarded with US icons, political figures, celebrities and anything as a whole it is understandable that a typical Canadian might not be able to recognize as many Canadians as they would an American.

I know who Michaelle Jean is, I know who Sir John A MacDonald is and what he did but I could not tell you what he looks like.

Ann
said
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It never ceases to amaze me how so many of these comments are so off subject.
And this issue is a sad state of affairs indeed. If we don't know where we came from, we don't know where we are going. If we don't know our canadian history, who are we? No wonder society is so messed up. Don't pride yourself on being ignorant, do something about it. Whether or not you agree with Tommy Douglas, Pierre Trudeau or Ren� Levesque, they were great canadians who made us who we are. And what have YOU done for your country today?

Sean
said
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How useful a study is this? Knowing important figures in history is a lot different than knowing what they look like. I know that Banting discovered insulin, but I haven't a clue what he looked like. I know that Rene Levesque was an important figure in Quebec politics, and helped shaped the current sovereignty movement, but, once again, I don't recall his face. Of the 49% of people who could identify Ms. Jean (or the 51% who couldn't), who among them could describe the role of the Governor General in Canadian politics - and isn't that more important?

Kim in Winnipeg
said
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So, so true....in our family this year we had a vote Ottawa July 1st, or Washington DC July 4th. Guess which one won ? Yes, DC is the winner, we all decided we learn't more in our Canadian school system about American history than our own. So now we want to go see some of it in person.

Pat from TBay
said
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I think Dave Broadfoot put it best when he said something to the extent of American celebrities need security when they go out, whereas Canadian celebrities need to wear nametags.

Alice Clevett
said
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Alice - Ont
This could be in part to teaching in our schools. My two children finished grade 6 and 3 this year and have yet to learn any history. Perhaps more effort should be put into teaching this in the schools. When I went to school Canadian History was a core subject.

u think?!!
said
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What did you expect? Canadian TV glorifies american heroes and idols.

AndyL
said
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And Canadians complain Americans know nothing about Canada. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black

Vern
said
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Why would any Canadian want to remember who Rene Leveque is? Why celebrate or even remember someone whose mission in life was to dismantle Canada?

Steve Johnson
said
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The story is written from the perspective that its obviously important to be able to identify Tommy Douglas or Louis Riel. Its not important to know. I don't care one whit what John A. McDonald looked like nor Tommy Douglas. In fifty years will you consider someone less educated or informed because they can't identify Michael Jackson? For what reason?

njla
said
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It's shameful that Canadians do not know their history. Oooops! I forgot, Canada is a melting pot of immigrants who come here for freedom but don't bother to learn about our forefathers and Canada's history.

Dave W, Lacombe, AB
said
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Hey, you can see Sir John A's picture almost every day - especially if you actually use cash money: he's on the $10 bill! Mackenzie King's on the $50, Laurier on the $5 and Borden on the $100. However, since most young Canadians risk id theft by using debit cards rather than cash, they may not know that.

Tony C in Toronto
said
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This is a failure of our educational system and our media. So much information; so few informed people; so many manipulated people. This became very obvious last December when we realized that so few people (media included) knew how our Parliamentary System actually works.

Vic
said
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Seriously? Are we really going to blame the teachers, the parents, the goverment, the media, the system, for our national historical ignorance?

Wow. Read a book. Rent a movie. Go to your library. make it your Canada day resolution. Your knowledge or lack thereof is your responsibility.

We have an amazing dynamic history. Vikings, exploration, Fur Trade, Nations of France and England in Battle on our soil, American Invasion, Rebellion and Insurrection at Batoche, Canadians at War and Canadians keeping the Peace. Great inventors (Insulin? Telephone? basketball?) Great politicians (Peacekeeping, Medicare), Moments of Glory (Vimy, Normandy, Kapyong completion of the Railway) and moments of Shame (Slavery, Land Claims, Railway construction, Internment camps, Residential schools)

Our is incredible - You should know it. Take some responsibility for educating yourself.

Flashy
said
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As another poster pointed out, I would be hard-pressed to identify a photo of (say) Banting presented to me out of context and without background. It is hardly indicative of a lack of knowledge. A non-story. Moreover, the "icons" seem to reflect a Central Canada bias and are hardly "heroes" to many in other parts of the country. How low our definition of "hero" has sunk; Tommy Douglas a "hero"? Please...

William
said
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What about Issac Brock?

If not for his brave leadership in 1812 this country would be waving a different flag.

Pat
said
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Hi all. For the past few months I've been reading comments and I have to say that I am not surprise of the results this survey conveys. From what I've seen Canadians don't even know how there government works or the history of this country. I'm sure that 1982 doesn't mean anything to A lot of people reading this. If you do know, then there's hope for you.

Renee
said
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Angela,

If you are referring to my comment, I never said it was any fault of my teachers. I am fully aware that each province is different on instruction given to students. But can we agree that perhaps more history is needed to be taught? We are part of a truly great and inspiring country and it's important that we grow up knowing what makes Canada so wonderful.

Cousinj - Ottawa
said
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Some people just don't have any interest in history.

I for one do have an extreme interest in Canadian & world history.

I have friends that thought D-Day was the same as Dieppe or didn't know that Elisha Grey also invented the telephone but Bell beat him to the patent office.

On the other hand - I could not tell you who is with who in Hollywood and what the top 5 pop songs are today, but my gf sure knows all of that information.

I agree schools should have better history courses, but you cannot blame folks that have no interest in reading up on history - they just make people like us history buffs look smarter when the time comes to use that knowledge.

LML Ottawa
said
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To Canadian Tax Payer Sigh, for your information, Sir John A. is buried in the Cataraqui Cemetary in Kingston.

Bob
said
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Angela - It is not about you as a history teacher. It is that Canadian history is not taught in schools as it was in the past and it should be.

Forget about teaching American history in depth. We are in CANADA not USA.

Jeff in Toronto - You are right. My wife is an immigrant from Vietnam and I learned things helping her that I had forgotten. It may be a good idea for schools to approach Immigration Canada to see if they could obtain a copy of the booklet that they use for the exam. It would open a lot of eyes.

Logan
said
0 0

Oh my god, History was the most boring subject to teach. Canada's history was incredibly boring. I could tell you this that American children who are taught history have a better knowledge of what happened in their historical time because it was all about subjects that kids like these days. Whereas when I was studying Canadian History, all it was was Trade... Trade... Exploration... More Trade... More Exploration, Problems with Natives... Settled Problems with Natives... More Trade... More Exploration... More Problems with Natives... More Settlements with Natives, and More Trade. They didn't even teach WW1 or WW2 in our history from Grade 7 to 10. 90% of the class didn't even know what D-Day in Senior Elementary (grade 7-8). They focus too much on 17-18th century history in our classes, when the WAR side of our History has been completely taken out of the text books. It's shameful. What would old 'Joe', a good friend of my family's and honored war veterin, who died a few years ago, think of that? He even asked me one day, "Can I take a look at your history book?" and I said, "Sure" and handed it to him, and he was appauled that there was little to NOTHING about WW2 in that book.

Bernard from Longueuil
said
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To Steve in Montreal,

With your comment, you make a very eloquent demonstration that most Canadians don't know much about the great actors of our national history... Reality is indeed as sad as the survey results.

Josh in Alberta
said
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Maybe if our Social Studies programs focused more on important Canadians, than the living conditions of British textile workers during the industrial revolution, we would actually know who these people are. It's not the general population's fault...the school system has failed us miserably.

BB in B.C.
said
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Don't score Canadians that poorly while every second story is about Michael Jackson. Perhaps our voter turn out reflects the number of people who understand the issues and feel qualified to cast a ballot. I fear what could happen if all the non voters were tapped into by a clever political group with a good BS line. That is also why we should never vote on line. Have you ever watched the "Jaywalk Allstars"? We have those people walking around in Canada too.

Nelly
said
0 0

I, personally, do not care to remember what that traitorous little twerp, Levesque looked like. Sorry!

Anthony from Toronto
said
0 0

It's all down to our failing education system: teachers are not teaching anymore, just administering homework.

John Palermo
said
0 0

What difference does it make? These people are all dead now. Who cares what they look like! Or even that their name is associated with some great advancement.
As long as we enjoy what we have because of them, then I'm sure they would be happy.
Quit guilt tripping. Don't force your history on me.

Antonio DI Donato
said
0 0

Now, now girls and boys, we truely found it funny when Jay Lenno asked people on the street "who lives in the Vatican?" "The Vaticans" was the reply.
Really! Do the Canadian rednecks, who shout down about stupid Americans, look good with egg on their faces.
People, our education today is for not. We need to get back to our roots and at the same time start using the electronic gadgets to part onto the kids some usefull knowledge.
Antonio.

Ron in Georgetown
said
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Canadian are far too busy talking on web forums to be educated about such people.

GUTSHOT!! in Thunder Bay
said
0 0

I could pick out John A. anywhere since I saw Pierre Burton's "A National Dream" television series.

Wait a minute..that was an actor! I feel cheated. oh well, put me in the dummy category:)

L for Sidney
said
0 0

Make Sir John A MacDonald's birthday a holiday and every Canadian will recognize him. We just don't make a big deal out of our historical figures like they do in the U.S. I would go as far to say if shown a photo of Abe Lincoln or George Washington we would recognise both.

Mo
said
0 0

As baffling some of these statistics are...I want to point out two things. First of all, there's a big difference between knowing who key Canadians are, and recognizing their face. Tommy Douglas, Louis Riel and Banting/Best. Most of us have been taught growing up in our education system who they are, but that leads me to the second point, that when we were taught, it's somewhat ridiculous to expect our teachers to tell us "look at the faces and memorize how they look".

Point being, this stat may be somewhat exaggerated. They should do a survey and ask Canadians if they know who _____(prominent Canadian Figure) is.

Kay, Cakagary
said
0 0

It is much more relevent to the life of my son and daughters who Obama, Bill Gates, Putin, etc. are rather than some eastern Canadian who has come and gone and whose importance is greatly exaggerated by nationalistic groupies.

Hopefully my grandkids will one day snicker at nationalism the way we do at kingdoms that were once divided by religion.

CrackerJackLee
said
0 0

Canadians are dreamers. we want a history. we got that part right. but we don't want to do what needs to be done to build a history. yet that's the most important part. if we increase our population by immigration and spend all our time and money gawking at the American peep show down south like starving street urchins pressing our noses against a restaurant window pane, then we get what we get.

Adam in Mitchell
said
0 0

Back in my days in grade school, we learned about guys like Sir John A MacDonald and Louis Riel. Nowadays, many children in these same grades can't even draw an outline of our great nation. As modern influences from our southern neighbour dominate our tv screens and radio airways, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep our children interested in our own history. How many schools teach that it was because of the war of 1812, which we won, that the United States now has the White House? It seems to me emphasis is put on quantity, not quality, of education and it is unfortunate that children, through no fault of their own, are growing up ignorant. I think teachers, also, are now more concerned about their contracts than a history lesson. Let's wake up and let our kids know why they live in the greatest country on earth!

Dave in BC
said
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As a British Columbian, I have to admit, I only really care about British Columbia.

Anything east of the Rockies is a foreign country, and I like it that way.

CrackerJackLee
said
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!if you won't click the thumbs, please skip this comment! i have nothing bad to say about immigrants. if anglo-canadians are too lazy to educate themselves and too lazy to make children, then immigration is necessary. unfortunately, anglo women are not known for their interest in men, except as a paycheque and a nuissance. this does not bear well for a burgeoning birth rate. besides, Canadian polital parties & politicians prefer immigrants to natural borns, as they are more concerned with their motherland than Canadian politics, allowing the fruits sitting in Ottawa's Disneyland on the Rideau to have a pleasant & profitable ride. but, in the end, why would you expect a country that depends upon immigration to have a history? is that logical? if they changed the name of Canada to Wonderland would anybody notice? would anybody care?

Prof. Pye Chartt
said
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"THE GREATEST CANADIAN"

Which bank note is Tommy Douglas on?

P.S. Yeah.

Steve the Pundit
said
0 0

Proof positive that, even though we snobbishly laugh at "those ignorant Americans" for their lack of knowledge, Canadians are just as bad (if not worse, because we THINK we know more than we really do).

You could blame American TV, the educational system, immigrants, etc. But to paraphrase "Pogo", "I have seen the ignorant, and it is us."

Alan
said
0 0

Growing up in the 50's my parents generation knew about Canada and it's history. Then came tv and with it the Davy Crockett and the Alamo stories. Suddenly we came to know exciting US history while our own was left to be taught in the schools. This process has continued on to the point that communications today are on a global basis. We now know far more about world politics, world geography and because we are a multi cultural country this has benefitted us.

Thus this survey was not a surprise. The good news is that more and more there are sources of Canadiana which encourage us to look back at our history. Canada Day is especially a good time to share the celebration. Perhaps tour your local pioneer village, attend a pow-wow, take a trip to Ottawa or your local legislature. It just seems one can find these places now and one just has to avail themselves of the opportunity.

5th Generation Canadian
said
0 0

We should be ashamed.

GM
said
0 0

I think alot of it has to do with the way history is aproached in the class room, I'm only 30 and I barely remember anything from my Canadian History classes because it was so boring. Americans have Washington crossing the Delaware, we have Macdonald sitting at a desk. What would you remember more?

Laureen
said
0 0

some of these people we are trying to forget.

Rick in NB
said
0 0

Well i guess Rick Mercer getting Mike Huckabee's support on saving the National Igloo or grilling George Bush on PM Jean Poutine. isn't so funny anymore. Sometimes its best to admit ignorance.

Lily from Montreal
said
0 0

I remember as a child these commercials on tv. I think they were called "part of Our Heritage". They cave little re-enactment of historical scenes, particularly from Canadian history. They were great!

If it reached to me as a child, perhaps it would work on the younger generations of today. Why not bring those back?

IS
said
0 0

As others have noted, there is a potential flaw in this poll, and that has to do with the whole method of identifying who is in the picture. It would have been interesting to compare photo ID to, say, a straight Q&A or matching or multiple choice asking who was responsible for such-and-such event in history.

Also, Canadian history is not taught in schools until grade seven, and that year basically glosses over the 1500s and ends around the latter part of the 1700s.

What really is important to us, as a society, for younger generations to know about Canadian history? Is it these individuals who had such an impact on history, or do we want them to have an appreciation for the narrative that tells how Canada became the country that it is? Curriculum being stretched as it is, the focus tends to be on the latter, which compromises the extent to which these personal histories can be told in school.

Limited as it is, to be really critical about this report is to ask ourselves just what we, as a society, ultimately want to be taught and remembered about Canadian history.

Steve in Montreal
said
0 0

Why bring up Rene Levesque?? He did not want to be a Canadian. That "garcon du ashphalt" was a traitor to this country and should be remembered as such.

fitzz
said
0 0

Are we really going to have a national angst attack over this? It really does not matter, does it? Who can identify most hockey goalies with or without a mask?

I just do not see the point. Pay your taxes and stay out of jail.

John
said
0 0

The most stupid survey/comparison ever.
Let's see: How old is John A McDonald and how old is Celine Dion?

Politics and Entertainment, hmmm, which one is more interesting?

Jeff in Kingston
said
0 0

We are far to quick to criticize our US neighbours for being ignorant of Canada. This survey just proves that we more ignorant of our country than Americans are; more because we should know the history and current events of our country. One does have to wonder what is taught in our schools..I remember when I was in school we used to take 10 or 15 minutes at the start of each day to discuss current events; then on Friday we all completed the current events quiz that the Toronto Star used to produce. This encouraged us to read newspapers or watch news reports on TV. Perhaps it is time that schools include the weekly CTV News Quiz in their curriculum.

Daniel Toronto
said
0 0

I agree with Liz Ottawa. Most immigrants I meet have little to no knowledge of Canada or its history as they are encouraged to preserve their own and their own culture. In our attempt to diversifty, we are slowly losing out on our history as we spend more time trying to learn others. Its not to say those born in Canada are perfect, but it is a reality we have to come to accept that our history will slowly become diluted with the histories of others.

Clacker, Montreal
said
0 0

To Gord in Nova Scotia

I couldn't agree more. It should be mandatory for all adults living in Canada to vote, like it is in Australia.

People who do not vote have no right to complain about our government.

Steve in the US
said
0 0

I'm confident that given a name I could describe that person's contribution to out country but I don't feel bad because I can't pick Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean out of a crowd.
I wonder how many Americans recognize Neil Armstrong's face?
I just took the quiz on the Dominion Institute site. It was fun. I got 6 of 10. I do feel foolish about missing the guys on the money, ooops. Also the pic of Wayne is not a great one. :)

Durward
said
0 0

Exactly Wade.
They try to sell us fluff as history, Tommy was pro eugenics and Trudeau was a traitor.
Tommy wanted government to sterilize or kill any non perfect human child and Trudeau threw rocks at our troops while wearing a Nazi helmet and swastika during WW2.
No wonder the libs got rid of history in favor of social studies, their heroes are zeros.

karen, ottawa
said
0 0

These results are indicative of the lack of effort in protecting our national identity - we let the Americans do it for us.

Canadian Taxpayer Sigh
said
0 0

What is the big deal. It would be a shame if they did not know what these people did. TO not know them by a picture is not that big of a deal at all considering these great leader/inventor of Canada where from over 20 - 30 years ago or in the case of Sir Johnny Mac 100 +. Now does anyone know where he is buried?

Steve Robinson in Calgary
said
0 0

These findings don't surprise me. I remember a test of university student's about to graduate, done by McLean's.

In a multiple choice question,they were asked: Who is John A. MacDonald? 80% thought he was the founder of McDonald's restaurant's.

Gary in Ottawa
said
0 0

to Liz in Ottawa

I totally disagree with you Liz, I bet the numbers would show that those who chose to come to Canada are proud to be Canadians and know more about our country then those that were born here. Staying in touch with their past is a sign of intelligence. We as a country fail miserably at teaching our past to our future.

CrackerJackLee
said
0 0

education is mismanaged by the provinces - a lost opportunity.
money that is ear-marked for education is milked and drained and disappears, probably into gaping political pockets.
the only winners in education are the teachers, their union, and their pension plan.
education is a career cabal for some and a holding place for unwanted children.
most of the 12 years spent in school is a waste. a business for the teaching profession.

Chat
said
0 0

I am actually not surprised by the results at all. The reason is that many of these former leaders are not international statesmen/ women. The exception is Pierre Trudeau who is known all over the world, including in Asia, Africa. We naturally remember such people better. For us to remember our leaders, the world too must recognize and remember them. In a globalised world, being big fish in a small pond is not adequate.

Angela
said
0 0

As a high school history teacher I take offense to the comment that it is my fault that students know little about Canadian History. I don't make curriculum, the Province does, and in NB the only Canadian History taught is a Grade 12 elective class on it. Grade 10 is Ancient History, and Grade 11 is called Modern History, but its centered on European History, and the Grade 12 Canadian History class is not manditory.

I CANNOT TEACH WHAT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO TEACH!

Rick in Niagara
said
0 0

While immigration has likely skewed the numbers somewhat, this is a failure of our own education system. When I was in public school and high school (Mid 50's through late 60's) there was much more emphasis put on Canadian Geography and Canadian History. That seems to have been gone for some time now and we are seeing the results.
People who know little or nothing of their country, outside there own communities.
Time to put Canadian history and geography back into schools and make it part of the learning process for immigrants.

LML - Ottawa
said
0 0

Chalifoux told CTV.ca the study results suggest that for Canadians who didn't live through the eras of these iconic figures -- they simply don't resonate in their memories.

That's a poor excuse for not learning history. I wasn't around for the past events of Canadian history, and yet I learned about them in school, along with other people. The problem in a lot of cases lies with teachers who have no knowledge of events in Canadian history and who when told about the brave deeds Canadians did in WW1 and II, reply that we are glorifying war (a line I have heard from some teachers). History is not taught in elementary or high school. Politics, even the basics, is not taught in high school. Students major in political sciences in university, yet have no concept of history.

Ian
said
0 0

I like to know how many, excluding myself, of the people that are posting comments and passing judgment could accurately answer the same questions?

Wade- Whole Story on Trudeau may him a loser
said
0 0

The problem is the Liberal media stories are not true in the sense the stories of Tommy Douglas seem to often over look his ealy policies of eugentics and Trudeau writers neglect to mention he wore a German War helmut during the second world war.
When the real story and whole story is told about these people they lose their appeal.

Renee
said
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I remember as a 4 year old knowing who George Washington was because of School House Rocks on Saturday morning cartoons but I was in grade 10 before I knew who Sir John A. Macdonald was. I thought it was pathetic then and I still think it is now. I currently live in the US and when my husband's family asks me questions about our history I can rarely answer them. It wasn't until I read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom that I realized that it was the Canadians that liberated Holland. That is something to be immensely proud of (my grandfather was there!) but why didn't they ever teach that in school? We are WAY behind the US when it comes to teaching our own history.
I believe we need to learn about the history of other countries too but we need to make sure we know about our own country first.

Christine in Sudbury
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I couldn't pick Frederick Banting or Tommy Douglas out of a lineup either, but I certainly know who they are and what they accomplished. Just because people didn't recognize them in a photo doesn't mean they don't know who they are.

Marie Ottawa
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sad but true. Canadian history is not quite as interesting or event ridden as American history, with the civil war and slavery and all of that, but our kids should be aware of it. I remember asking my daughter one day when she was in high school about the russian revolution too and she didnt know too much about it. But I certainly agree that think education of our kids has gone REALLY downhill in the past 10 years. I also agree however that it might be reginally influenced since education is a provincial matter. Education in Ontario has gone way down in quality in the past 10 years. Not sure if that started with Mike Harris or Bob Rae but it was one of them. Dalton McGuinty has not helped either in that regard, except by paying teachers exhorbitant salaries at taxpayers expense.

Paul
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to liz ottawa...

I am actually surprised at how much the immigrant families that I know have learned about our history. Not all, but many immigrants are thankful and proud to be Canadian and want to learn. Unfortunately we don't really teach Canadian history and politics at a deep level in our school systems and most parents don't know or care enough to help their children in this area.

Jeff toronto
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To Liz in Ottawa - have you ever seen the Canadian citizenship exam? I bet any immigrant who's taken/passed it would score much higher than most Canadians. As for immigrants who haven't started studying, naturally they would know less of our history.
And that picture of Celine, I would have had a tough time with that one. It was very off angle and taken from quite a distance.

Jeremy
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This study feels flawed to me. Just because someone cannot identify a photo does not mean that they are ignorant of canadian icons.
I know a great deal about Frederick Banting but probably couldn't pick him out of a lineup.

PW
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says alot for our history teachers doesn't it.

CrackerJackLee
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Canada does indeed seem to be a regional country (run by someone?). i've lived from coast to coast and can affirm that being Canadian means little when you're new in town. each locality is established within a 50 mile radius and runs along ethnic lines and the main local industry. and there is a strong redneck dislike for "invaders" from other regions. Canadians identify more with Americans than with their own. (someone?) decided that we should be raised on U.S. movies, stars, magazines, TV & radio - and someone? reduced the content of Canadian history in schools. what defined Canada the most was WWII and Christmas (but someone? didn't like that). now it's Britney Spears, Mickey Mouse & Michael Jackson. maybe Quebec is wise to foster it's own culture, otherwise (someone (?)) in the rest of Canada will swamp them with American culture. use it or lose it.

Jess
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I think that CTV should do a show like the famed "Talking to Americans" series from the other network, except it should ask Canadians questions about Canada. It's one thing to ask Americans about Canada, but I think Canadians wouldn't laugh as much at how little we know about our own country.

Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
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The really sad thing is a lot of CANADIANS DO NOT FOLLOW POLITICS and DO NOT
VOTE.

We complain about the government but on election
day we do not fill out a ballot.

Now that is really SAD!

Tiffany, Ottawa
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Unfortunatley, this is not really surprising. It's all about exposure. How many posters do you see of Celine Dion, compared to Tommy Douglas? When was the last time you saw Sir John A. Macdonald in the media? Compare that Dion. Pop culture saturates our lives today and sadly, history is being left in the past.

liz ottawa
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I am also wondering if alot of this has to do with increasing numbers of immigrants in the past 10 years. Immigrants generally are probably much more aware of issues in their own country than our Canadian history judging by some of the uprising recently with Tamils etc. I would like to see the breakdown of the sample which could probably explain it to a degree. but yes kids dont seem to be learning as much in school as we were subjected to, I have noticed. cut backs I guess?

Ian
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These statistics are reality and unfortunately true. It is high time that an effort was put back into the classroom to teach Canadian history. Yes geographic distribution is a factor, albeit a sad one. We are talking about CANADA here and not Quebec, nor Ontario, nor British Columbia. Our children must be more knowledgeable about this great country we live in and how many generations before them and us for that matter were responsible for many great things. Yeah Celine and Wayne are great in what they do, however the likes of Sir John A, Rene, the events of WWII and Vimy Ridge are things that changed Canada for good and the better. Our children deserve it and let's ensure they get it.

Stu from London
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A lot of the times, this sort of thing depends on where you live in Canada. But this could also be attributed to people not really caring. A lot more kids in Canada today could probably tell you who an American celebrity is before any known Canadian.

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It is about time - as a grandparent I have watched our kids (who were allowed to fail although I do remember some nagging on our part) learn, I have watched our children now micro-manage their children. A big part of it is the fact that there are predators out there and an extreme reluctance on the parents part to alllow freedom that might result in the children becoming victims.

Harvey

Parents must learn to stop meddling, author urges

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