Newcomers to Canada will soon need to brush up on their military history and gain a deeper understanding of those who fought and died for their country.
Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney will launch a new citizenship study guide tomorrow that includes sections on Canada's war-fighting and peacekeeping efforts that previously got "no mention."
"I think it's scandalous that someone could become a Canadian not knowing what the poppy represents or never having heard of Vimy Ridge or Juno Beach," Kenney told Sun Media.
The new guide will provide details on key battles where Canadian soldiers distinguished themselves, and is designed as a resource for native-born Canadians as well as potential immigrants. Kenney said it's vital for newcomers to understand the roots of Canada's democratic institutions and share pride in our nation's history.
"If we want to keep a cohesive country, particularly with very high levels of immigration, we need to make sure we have a common understanding of our values and institutions, and that's what this book helps to do," he said.
Because Canada's aging veteran population is dwindling at a fast pace, Kenney said it is even more important to pass on the legacy.
"Very soon there will be no living memory of Canada's remarkable contribution to our defence in the past century, and it will require a really deliberate act of memory to keep alive the flame. And that's part of what this is about," he said.
