Share your views on Canadian Citizenship, Identity and Citizenship Education
This website shares literature, research, resources and teaching materials on Citizenship Education in Canada, as well as information on the Citizenship Education Research Network (CERN) and the Citizenship Education Research Journal (CERJ). It will provide a discussion board in the future. The website is open to all who are interested in exploring the concept of citizenship and teaching citizenship in Canada. This site is part of a SSHRC-funded study that is researching Canadians’ conceptions and views of citizenship and citizenship education in Canada.
This research is founded in acknowledging complexity and past historical wrongs and is rooted in hope—opening possibilities for a national exploration of what “Canada” is and can be. For more information about the study, please read “About the Research.”
You’re invited to share your thoughts!
Canadian national identity and citizenship has been subject to discussion since Canada was founded on lands that were, and continue to be, home to rich Indigenous cultures. Traditional conceptions of Canadian citizenship and identity that aimed to build a common identity and develop knowledge of government structures and policies have been taught in citizenship education programs in public schools since the early years of Confederation. Now, however, current events illustrate that some Canadians are questioning the nature and form of citizenship in Canada.
This study invites Canadians to share their views of Canadian citizenship and identity, and citizenship education.
Participants can fill out an online survey to share how they understand Canadian citizenship and identity, their views and hopes for citizenship education and their beliefs about what kind of society they would like Canada to be and become.
This survey is anonymous, and participants have a chance to enter a contest to win one of three $200 gift certificates. This contest is open to adults (defined as 18 or 19 years old depending on your provincial or territory law), except those residing in Quebec due to provincial laws on contests.
The findings will serve as a starting point for theorizing a conception of the meaning of citizenship and identity in Canada that aims towards promoting an inclusive and flourishing democracy rooted in hope and belonging for all Canadians. This research and theorizing will serve as the basis for the development of a new citizenship education program.