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Home : Top Stories : Aspiring citizens must now learn about Canadian military

Aspiring citizens must now learn about Canadian military

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The Canadian Press

Date: Wednesday Nov. 11, 2009 7:52 PM ET

OTTAWA — The citizenship and immigration minister says newcomers hoping to become citizens will have to learn more about Canada's military as well as the history of politics, Confederation and First Nations.

Jason Kenney says he'll release a new version of a guidebook for immigrants on Thursday in an attempt to modernize and broaden the information newcomers need to know.

The guidebook is the key tool newcomers use to prepare for their citizenship test.

Kenney said in an interview that a revised test based on the new material will come into effect in March.

The booklet will also be made available to schools, to give all Canadians a better sense of common values.

Kenney said the previous version, published in 1997 under a Liberal government is inadequate.

The old educational materials "fail to provide newcomers with a solid grasp of our country's history, symbols, values and institutions."

He has complained in the past that the guidebook contains two pages about recycling and environmental stewardship, but barely a word about the Canadian military, and not a mention of Remembrance Day or the meaning of the poppy.

"This is not right," he said in a statement.

The new book will contain more information about "who we are, where we come from, how our rights and responsibilities developed," Kenney said.

Newcomers to Canada use the guide to prepare for a citizenship test. The old guide was a 47-page publication called "A Look at Canada." The new one will be called "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship."

The new version should help better integrate immigrants into Canada, Kenney said, and it should also help address what analysts have called Canadians' "historical amnesia."

It will be about 20 pages longer than the old version, but Kenney says the citizenship test won't be any harder. It will still contain about 24 "straightforward" multiple-choice questions.

Comments are now closed for this story

Anderson Stand Sure
said
0 0

It's about time! Every Canadian should know about our great military history and of course, the poppy. Most people today no longer seem to care nor respect Canada's military past. I find this shameful. Lest we Forget!


Joe
said
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Why not? If one wants to emigrate and become a citizen to a country that has become one of the greatest on Earth, then one should learn what sacrifices its citizens went through to become the great country it is today.


charlie
said
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This sounds like a good idea and one which is probably overdue. Anyone joining a new firm is given some handbook or similar information describing the history, objectives, intentions and ethos of the firm - and what the organization expects of me and what I am expected to know about and contribute to the firm. Why should it be different for those making possibly the biggest decision and challenge of their lives - pursuing a new life in Canada?


A True Canadian
said
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Wow...do the conservatives feel as if they are the saviours of Canada? Even with basically 30 per cent of Canadians voting for them...they still have this mentality that "the majority of canadians have given us a mandate to rule". How much do you want to bet that this new guide will include subliminal messages saying "praise Harper, the true leader of Canada"...


PBW
said
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I am pleased to read that the booklet will also be available to schools, as I believe there should be a mandatory Citizenship course at the high school level. There have been surveys that have shown that new citizens have a greater knowledge of our nation than those born here. While curriculum content is the responsibility of the provinces, I hope that supplying the booklet to schools will push curriculum development committees towards including up-to-date materials, and insisting that a much larger part of teaching time be applied to Canada in the 20th century. It is necessary to know the older history, for sure, but far more important to know of Canada's development in recent times. Hopefully, this booklet - used in conjunction with pre-tests - will enable teachers to bring our nation's recent history to life.


Chat
said
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As a new Canadian citizen, I can safely say that I know a lot more about Canada than the majority of 'old' Canadians. Immigrants come to Canada, as opposed to some other country, BECAUSE they know Canada well. It is stupid to think that people make such huge decisions blindly. Canada in my view is the greatest country in the world. But that is because of its great humanity, its sophistication, and openess towards diversity and cultures shown by the MAJORITY (NOT ALL) of its population. It is critical to remember that the current government of ours does not have many of those great qualities that the majority of Canadians hold.


Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said
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Please Jason, this is a day of remembering the fallen, not a day to play politics. Be a Canadian today, stand with the rest of us and pray.


Michael, Cambridge On
said
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They should've done this long time ago when he became Minister.... While I agree to this however I think we should extend citizenship test to everyone who live in Canada despite birth status. Either this or enforce Canadian History to be part of our education system. Right now, I could say that many of my friends or many Canadian will fail this test miserable. I took a Canadian citizenship practice test today in morning and I passed with 96%. I think what in citizenship test many of Canadian are not aware of. Our new finest citizens of Canada will know more about Canada than native Canadian. How sad is that? What is this Government of Canada doing in this situation? Nothing as usual.


charlie
said
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It seems there are a lot of negative thumbs here. Assuming it is not a bit of games playing, perhaps some of the thumbs downers would like to write as to specifically why the learing something of this country's symbols, history and institutions by all Canadians in not a good thing.


MHB
said
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I do not mind really to tell the newcomers about Canadian military efforts in the past. But to be consistent we have to inform them as well that Canada is involved in a war of aggression in Afghanistan. We should also inform them that Mr. Harper wanted to send Canadian youth to Iraq! Can Mr. Kenney include these FACTS in his new book as well? I extremely doubt that!


Fred Victoria BC
said
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Why did you come to Canada? " ou give Money to Mothers for their children, you must be very good people." Ya, that's true. What about you Isabelle? " I do not understand, speak no English"Ask your friend when she landed? " She said thirty years ago" Ask her what she knows about her country? " Not very good, but I like Canada her friend translated." Elliot Trudeau once said: " Canada is great because it has no culture! " I myself an immigrant studied Canada as my High school subject I came here for the love of a vast country and Victoria for it.s mild climate and for what I thought were better economic opportunities. I only realized later, that I was the economic opportunity, I was what made Canada great, myculture part of the diversity of All Canadians.


Wendy
said
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The immigration minister should concentrate on making sure they know current laws & be taught to speak good English. Almost daily I talk to people that I can't understand because they speak poor interest. Learning about our history is not really very important.


Canada Goose
said
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This is just more of our tax dollars being thrown away.


Mike - Toronto
said
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Reading some of the posts on here make me very sad to be a Canadian. To state we are in a war od agression is simply a lie, Either the poster is ill informed un educated completely partisan or a liar. Please educate yourself on our responsibilities when it comes to NATO and the UN. People in our country are quite smug when it comes to our healthcare and social programs, We afford these because we have allies and are part of NATO to share the burden of protecting our country and way of life. But we must also do our share in these alliances. Sould new Canadians learn more about our country, lets be serious that is a no brainer. Should Canadians learn more about their country....? well we know the answer to that one too. A logical common sense policy here. For those of you who do not think so, I think you seriously need to refelect on what your point is.


dusty - ottawa
said
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Hallelujah! Finally the Immigrants wanting to become Canadian are actually going to have to do something to earn Citizenship in Canada. They have been given a free reign and cheques to go along, for long enough. Once they get their certificate of citizenship, they start using our courts to protect them in any trouble they may get into. Now they are actually going to have to READ ENGLISH or FRENCH and the users of our system might actually get a job and contribute to our society.


Tony
said
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Well lets see here we have people come to Canada wishing to be come Canadian citizens. Once they become Canadians just what is it they do? Well some years back some immigrants protested that they had to take their headdress off at a legion now is that not the way we show respect for are Canadian born Vets MMM. Then after that some more protested against the Royal Canadian Mounded Police they wonted to ware there religious headdress an not the supplied RCMP uniform now we have RCMP running around warring turbans now that’s got to make you a proud Canadian. And yes this is long over do. Now we need some pollution with some backbone too go along with it. And then maybe we can be a proud County again and not the laughable joke we are.


Wade Ens
said
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Good JobA new Canadain asked me what was with all the red flowers on jackets the other day. She said she would have to get one. She should of known and had the basics of our values and history.


Doug @ BC
said
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"A True Canadian" should set aside his/her Harper Hating spin and assess the idea of teaching Canadian history in every school in Canada. I rarely support Conservatives,but an idea that comes from a political party other than the one I support is not a good enough reason for the idea to be dismissed outright. We are sorely lacking in teaching the history of this great nation.I suggest that the education ministers of all provinces and territories get together on this issue.It's not about Mr.Harper or just about the military.It's about uniting Canada and all of it's people by recognizing that even in tumultuous political times,we need to stand together to defend the values almost all of us hold dear.Contributions from every region of the country,and from all of it's people,could be assembled in teachable courses that would make better citizens of us all.With what we know now,we could trace the history of Canadians right from the arrival of First Nations people right up to yesterdays news. Is it the position of "A True Canadian",or what ever party he/she supports,that knowing more about the country you live in is a bad thing?? If that is the position,I suggest that your choice of "A True Canadian" as a sign on name may be misguided. A real "True Canadian" of any political stripe would recognize that we have what we have today because of generations of people who built this great nation.They should not only be remembered,but also respected.I fail to see how simply knowing their stories could be a bad thing under any government.


Red X
said
0 0

Another way for the Harpy Gov't to indoctrinate and spew propaganda for new Canadians. Well I guess to some degree history is about war...


simon
said
0 0

The book will make it easier for new arrivals to intergrate with the conservatives over the liberals......And it will have the conservative logo strgegically placed throughout the book.......


Daniel
said
0 0

Wendy,Although I agree with good English (and/or French), I totally disagree that history is not important. You can't truly appreciate the good things you've got unless you know where they came from and how they got to be. I prefer to be well informed and gain wisdom. Knowlegde never hurts.


MD
said
0 0

If you don't know where you come from, your not going to know where to go. Keep up the great work!


Margaret
said
0 0

Finally a Government takes the bull by the horns and revises an antiquated system. I am so happy to hear that it will be distributed in schools, about time. I am an immigrant myself of many years now and I am appalled at the ignorance of children in schools now and past. Very little knowledge of Canadian history. This should start in the early years and continue. Immigrants to Canada know more about its history than those born here. In Ontario its so sad that the Min of Edu. cant seem to get this in the schools but now that the Fed. Government is distributing the booklet, its a start.Kids leaving high school are not informed, and that is a shame.


Sick of the Ignorant
said
0 0

"24 straightforward" multiple-choice questions."That is not enough!!! Make it much harder!!! They should be able to answer 500 questions or more covering all aspects of Canadian history and life AND be FLUENT in ENGLISH and FRENCH before opening the doors to our great country!


Anne
said
0 0

I'd also like to see some information in there for new immigrants, especially those who come from very different cultures, how we do everyday things in Canada, right down to basic simple things like using washroom facilities. And how both genders are equal in this country. In addition, there should some some expectation of being able to speak English.


Samual
said
0 0

Rick in NB Ste Marie. This article is the conservative government playing politics, Jason is stating facts.The number one most important requirements should be that someone understands our laws, next they should speak good english. Learning our military history is not important at all. I,m a 52 year old canadian I don't know or care about this history, .The lessons are more important to learn, that's the problem our society, people learning about the history & not the lessons.


Alex (Toronto)
said
0 0

Does there really need to be a conflict between concern for the future of our planet and honoring soldiers of long-past conflicts? Many immigrants come from countries that have made much greater sacrifices in past wars, and many others come to Canada to escape the histrionic patriotism and glorification of the military in their native countries. It's grotesque the way the Conservatives feel a need to politicize everything. Next they'll want to put a Conservative logo on the poppy. Contrary to what Trudeau or Harper would have us believe, Canada's strength comes from its foundation of diversity--ethnic, religious, and political--in how we can all work together despite unimportant differences.


Chat
said
0 0

I wish to add that while I agree that the citizenship tests should be continously improved, though not for ideological reasons, what we (new Canadians) remember are not the facts and figures that are tested during the exam - those are out of the brain the moment we leave the test centre. But we 'know' Canada. There are things that are embedded in our minds. That is about how good the majority of Canadians are relative to other people in the world. In the end, that is what matters, not facts, figures and trivia.


Intelligetn Liberal
said
0 0

This is another ridiculous CON move. The Liberal Government of CANADA approach of far better. Forcing immigrants to learn about WAR and Native rights is a waste of taxpayer's money. Most natives don't even vote!Canada can do better than this, but firrst we must elect Prime Minister Ingtieeaf and get rid of Harper CONs if Cnada is to stop being ruined


Michael
said
0 0

Canadian citizenship is simply a workaround for those trying to get into the USA. Canada is merely a proxy for entering the USA. Canadian immigration is a joke!


toronto1
said
0 0

Learning about Canadian history. This will not sit well with some. but not all Liberals


Cate in Ottawa
said
0 0

I am so pleased to hear this news as this current version is so lacking in our fundamental values and information.On at least two occassions, I have helped new Canadians decifer, understand and remember the information to become a Canadian Citizen. At that time I was also teaching them fundamental, simple and everyday English, I was enhancing my understanding of their different cultures.Once again the update is welcome and needs to be in our schools AND TAUGHT!


Amelia
said
0 0

MHB - Have some respect. On today, of all days, could you put aside the politics and just appreciate the people who've fought and died for this country, and continue to do so? Those sacrifices deserve to be remembered, and are a vital part of our history.Lest we Forget.


Scott in Montreal
said
0 0

Hmm...I wonder if the Conservatives threw out the section in the guide on protecting the environment...


Pat, Montreal
said
0 0

Military history... will that include the use of military in internal affairs or will that slide under the rug? I'm all for teaching our children and immigrants our history as long as it's not a bias conservative vision of our past. Facts should not be modified or omitted to glorify our past.


Michael R. Dennis (Winnipeg)
said
0 0

Partisan politics aside, this is a good idea.We are a young nation with comparatively little history. These are the major events that steeled this country to be more than just a British Colony.These are tragic stories of our history but they are also some of the most triumphant. We should be proud enough of the heroism shown by our people to be able to brag about it as a part of Canadiana.


Al in Halifax
said
0 0

Liberal, Conservative, NDP, BQ...let's leave political one-upsmanship out of it. We all should know about the sacrifices made to give us the great country we have today. The brave men and women still fighting oppression abroad are no less courageous than those of WWI, WWII and all of the wars and battles since.We are warriors, we are peace makers and we are peace keepers. This is something that transcends our culture. If the Conservative minister wants to do something truly Canadian, he will present a guide reflective of what Canadians and Canada is about and leave out the political back patting and news bits. And whatever he does, there had better not be a “C” logo on it.


Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said
0 0

@ Samual, Why would you suggest that a new citizen should have to speak english, but not french? As far as knowing the laws. That's what the test is for. All i was saying is that today we should stand together and remember, not make political speeches.


richie cunningham
said
0 0

I can't believe the thumbs down in this posting section, why shouldn't somebody know about the country they are hoping to become citizens of? If they do already know than they would not have a hard time passing the requirements,.right? Some of you have no idea what makes a good country, and it isn't about getting all you can out of it, and thinking you have that right before you put anything into it.


charlie
said
0 0

More and more negative thumbs and anti-Conservative posts. I am still waiting for some rational posts on "why" this idea is not a good step (as opposed to knee-jerk "if it is an idea from the Conservative Government, it must be underhanded / sneaky / hidden agenda / bad" reaction.


mhworth
said
0 0

About time!I don't know if our political parties are truly aware of how we people recognize the need for reform in the area of Immigration and the popular support that exists.Kudos to the neo-cons on this one but its still not near enough. Hopefully with a majority gov't they can set a coherent Canada first Immigration policy in place.


Patrick
said
0 0

It's about time! They should server in the Military for at least 2 yrs so they would appreciate Canada as it is not what they want to see it for!!!!Let's go one step further similar to what Australia is doing. If you don't speak English or French don't bother tyring to get into Canada. Follow our laws, live in peace, and if you don't like it get the 'blazes' out!!! You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Too all of those 'immigrant's who think coming to Canada is a free ride, stay in your own country as we don't want you here!!!!


Bill in BC
said
0 0

We can only hope that this means a return to an open society and honouring values instead of the leftist, politically correct "let's not offend anyone" claptrap that PET forced on us.


Bill in BC
said
0 0

So all the leftist whinners, warm up your" thumbs down machine"Face facts citizenship is NOT a right, it is a responsibility. Making this clear to prospective immigrants is a good thing, and it should be made clear to our own children as well.If you aren't willing to exercise citizenship responsibly (as some of these posters apparantly aren't), then emigrate yourself.


Scotty
said
0 0

Playing politics with our fallen. How very typical of Jason Kenney.


Mark - Fort Erie
said
0 0

OMG ! The "Thumbs-downers" would have you think learning more about Canada is "Un-Canadian"!!??Of course this is a good idea, and it is common sense ...(something that seems to be disappearing more and more each day ! ).This will only strengthen our country, and make us all a better part of the greatest country on earth, no matter what side of the political spectrum you are from.


Jim-Surrey
said
0 0

That is a start not that we need anymore immigrants here as the ones we have are trying to take over our country, change OUR laws to suit them and ignore the fact that ENGLISH is the language spoken here as it is the number one language of this country.
I think we should adopt Australia's mandate and close the doors to any more immigrants as all they bring is disease and crime with them!


Michael Cambridge, ON
said
0 0

@ Patrick, Open your mind is best thing could ever happen to you. Lets say I will be open mind on this comment of your. I think ok it is fair enough to force them into military for at least 2 years then I think it should also extended to all Canadian included you and your family and your kids and your grandparents. So our society will appricate our Canadian history more. Canada isn't what it used to be and I am scared for our future after reading your comment.


Gilles Desbois
said
0 0

Good news! at least new Immigrants will know how the English robbed the natives of their land & how they robbed the French of a Country


Michael, Cambridge ON
said
0 0

After reading most of comments, I have one final say on this and I hope our Canadians people follow this.If we are to expect or demand that newcomer to Canada must embrace Canada history and value. We must start by embrace them ourselves. It is hypocrisy that we demand of this upon other but not done it for ourselves.


Pip
said
0 0

Like Charlie, I am waiting for some of those who "thumbs down" posts in favor of the new booklet to present a well-argued reason for NOT updating old material. A monkey could be trained to click on the thumb-down icon and refresh buttons. However it seems that "intelligent" Liberals (supposedly better educated than Conservatives) limit their activities to thumb-pushing on the top few posts, while conservatives post opinions. Such lack of any sort of though beyond "Not Liberal therefore Bad" makes me wonder why the Liberals consider themselves "Canada's natural ruling party".


Chris
said
0 0

Well, I took that test a few years ago and let me tell you when I asked some of my Canadian friends, most of them didn't know the answers! That to me showed that there must be a lack of education! I probably know more about Canadian History than an average Canadian and that is pretty sad! Today is a day to remember, it doesn't matter where someone is from or what political view one has.


MARG MM
said
0 0

Some of the posters on here should be extremely ashamed of themselves, for thinking that new immigrants need NOT know the history of Canada, and the fact that our brave soldiers fight to keep us free so we can enjoy the lifestyle that we have today. Also those that are so very handy on the "thumbs down" on anything that the Conservative Government tries to do.New Immigrants to this country should at the very least have some knowledge of our history and why we have Remberance Day.Apparently some of you do not care about that, you only care about your Liberals getting re-elected, as you think they are the only ones that have the right to Govern. It is shameful, that on Remberance Day (of all days) you can't put your Political agendas aside.


Alor in Windsor
said
0 0

To those of you overseas who want to immigrate to Canada, read the vulgar, ignorant and racist comments and know that is who will be your neighbour, your gov't representative and your childrens teachers. My advice to you, is stay home. You don't want to come to Canada. Stay home and build your nation and culture because your life in Canada will be miserable, lonely and isolating. I LOVE the laughable comments by the typical Canadian racists stating 'immigrants not talking good English' -- sentences riddled with poor grammar and crappy sentence structure. Finally, to the brainiacs who want immigrants to speak English/French, know the laws and cultures and all the street symbols and what time every bonehead in Canada eats their pork chops for dinner: its ingrates like you that keep this country stuck in the dark ages. These comment boards always serve to underscore what a sad, pathetic, hateful bunch Canadians really are.


Paul
said
0 0

These tests as they are should be required for all canadians not just incoming ones.


jojo star
said
0 0

please make these rules apply to all Canadians and not just for new immigrants trying to become Canadians. If they don't pass make them go live in Timmins or Moose Jaw or some place away from TO or BC.


Bear
said
0 0

As I read all the comments I come to the conclusion that we have a country full of very narrow minded people ,no matter what their political stripe is.This mostly horse manure. Time for you all to grow up.


Island Girl
said
0 0

I would never tell my children to join the military and go to afghanistan! Why would I want them to go to and kill people that look like us?


CanadianM
said
0 0

Anyone that thinks of Canada as this "great country" seems to forget that we have become such a great country with the help of all the immigrants that have come to Canada. I find it disgusting that people seem to think that immigrants are simply 'using' Canada. There are plenty of immigrants that are contributing more to our country than many so -called Canadians.

All CANADIANS should be educated about our country, our values etc. Because after all, we are all immigrants to this country. The only true Canadians are of Aboriginal decent.


Raymond
said
0 0

I see the seditious LPC war room staffers are out in full force today. Good move by the CPC, and long overdue. One can only hope that all remnants of PET's grand social experiment are swept away, once and for all.


Rick just wondering
said
0 0

As a vet, I am wondering how many of these Conservative members of Parliament have served with the Armed Forces? It just seems that none of them carry themselves in the courteous manner that those who have served do.


GaryB
said
0 0

I agree and I especially liked the part convienently overlooked by this and other media scources that they will learn more First Nation history !!!


John H
said
0 0

I find it hard to believe that anyone would dare to consider newcomers to Canada shouldn't learn all about their potentially new country. Our military heritage is a cornerstone of who we are and must be included. Unless you are a stick wielding, anarchist of course...


ryder in Alberta
said
0 0

I agree 100% with the idea that new citizens also learn about the military history in Canada. In fact, they should also learn about the history of the RCMP. And while we are at it, allow only ONE passport. Pick your citizenship!! You are CANADIAN or you are not. It is that easy, no more convienient citizenship should be available. And for those that seem to enjoy handing out the thumbs down, grow a set and explain your reasons for against this!!!!


PV
said
0 0

This would make sense if the current and past governments of this country weren't destroying Canadian heritage at such an alarming rate. When immigrants complain of Canadian traditions & values as being offensive to their religion or culture, the gov bends over to appease them and in the process, erodes Canadian heritage. For example, the Ontario parliament changed the Lord's prayer to accommodate the religions of Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh, Jewish and Baha'i faiths. There are also those who find the national anthem offensive. My wife, an immigrant from the Philippines, finds it odd that immigrants would come here expecting to mold Canada's traditions into something more familiar to their own rather than adopt Canada's original traditions and values. This sends a contradictory message. On one hand an immigrant must learn about Canadian heritage, while on the other hand they are encouraged to maintain their own heritage & culture rather than integrate themselves into Canadian society. This often results in a feeling of exclusion, rather than inclusion.


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