Feds' new citizenship guide reflects Canada's becoming more conservative The new citizenship guide resonates well with Conservative thinkers, but it's not a guide Liberals would produce, says author Bob Plamondon. By HARRIS MACLEOD Published November 23, 2009

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The Conservative government's new citizenship guide for immigrants is winning its plaudits from diverse quarters for its comprehensiveness, and willingness to address the darker moments in Canadian history. But critics say it ignores parts of the Canadian identity that don't fit with the party's view of the country.

"The fact that the country is a compassionate country with a social safety net that has been developed throughout the years to incomparable points in the Western world, except maybe for the Scandinavian countries, makes us a very particular kind of humanistic country. That aspect might not have been underlined enough to reflect the reality of the personality of Canada, the kind of society we are," said Quebec Liberal Senator Serge Joyal, a respected Canadian historian who was consulted by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration when it was writing the new guide.

The document, called "Discover Canada," is a 61-page study guide for immigrants preparing to take the citizenship test. It replaces the old guide, commissioned by the former Liberal government in 1995, which was criticized for being bland and glazing over some of the bad parts of Canadian history that the new document addresses, such as the internment of Austro-Hungarian and Japanese immigrants during World War II, and the aboriginal residential school system. But while the new guide gives a more fulsome accounting of Canadian history, and explains things like the role of the monarchy, Canada's military history, and the Quebec separatism debate, it overlooks things that many Canadians consider fundamental to their national identity, said Sen. Joyal.

When Canada's healthcare system was attacked by right-wing groups in the United States during the country's debate over healthcare reform, many Canadians were outraged.

NDP Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth, Ont.) went on U.S. talk shows to defend universal health care, Liberal MP and physician Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's, Ont.) did the same before a U.S. Senate Committee, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) were criticized for not piping up, but in the new guide universal healthcare rates only get a passing mention.

"The Canada Health Act ensures common elements and a basic standard of coverage," it says. No mention of the father of universal health care, former Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas, who only a few years ago was voted the "Greatest Canadian of all time" in a national contest, nor does it say that universal health care is one of the principal ways Canadians differentiate their society from the U.S.

"This is a document that would resonate quite well with Conservative thinkers. This is not the type of guide that would be produced by a Liberal administration," said Bob Plamondon, a respected historian and author of the bestselling book Blue Thunder: The Truth About Conservatives From Macdonald to Harper.

Mr. Plamondon said the guide's emphasis on responsibilities over rights reflects the fact that Canada is becoming more conservative. And while some have suggested the new guide is part of Immigration Minister Jason Kenney's (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) ongoing efforts to increase support for his party in Canada's immigrant population, which used to be the exclusive bastion of the Liberal Party, Mr. Plamondon said it would have more of an impact with the Tory base than with immigrant voters. Immigrants take the citizenship test after living in the country for three years, so presumably their impressions of Canada are not formed solely by the study guide.

Another omission in the guide is any reference to the same-sex marriage debate, which in 2005 resulted in Canada becoming the fourth country in the world where gays have the right to equal marriage.

"We're very disappointed," said Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada. "When you look around the world and see we were one of the first to bring it in we should be proud of it, we should be proud of our record in LGBT human rights internationally. And I certainly think that for LGBT newcomers coming into the country it's important for them to see that yes indeed Canada is a safe space for the LGBT community as an immigrant coming into Canada. It's a lost opportunity in terms of promoting who we are worldwide and also accepting people who are LGBT landed immigrants coming into the county."

Ms. Kennedy said the guide could also tell immigrants that while gay people in Canada are protected under the law, there is a gap between the legislation and the social reality in that sexual orientation is among the top three motivators for hate crimes. But while the Conservatives in opposition, and particularly Mr. Kenney, fought against legalizing gay marriage, Ms. Kennedy said she doesn't want to "theorize" about why it was omitted, she just wants it to be included in future drafts. Egale Canada contacted Mr. Kenney's office and Ms. Kennedy described them as "receptive," and said they plan to meet soon to discuss the issue.

The new guide, which a spokesperson for the department said could be updated in the future, is a good first effort, but could definitely be improved, said Sen. Joyal. He hopes that future drafts will include more about the social safety net, and underline other elements that reflect the "sensitivity" of Canada.

"The fact that women in the last 20 years have occupied [the Governor General] position is an important signal that Canada offers the opportunity for women to occupy the highest position in the land. ... For us longstanding Canadians we take that for granted, but for somebody who is a new citizen coming from countries where women didn't have that role, or occupy that kind of position in society is an important element to underline. We have always to say, 'If I would know nothing about Canada what should I know, that's essentially the point here."

The new guide was written over nine months, and approximately 15 people from inside and outside the department contributed in various ways to the creation of the document. In addition to soliciting input from numerous federal departments, including Canadian Heritage, Veterans Affairs, and Library and Archives Canada, eminent Canadians like former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, General John de Chastelain, and Professor Margaret MacMillan were also consulted.

hmacleod@hilltimes.com

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