The Historical Context for Citizenship Education in Urban Canada

British Columbian Geography in Historical Perspective

“…Its history content on Canada was moved to grade 8. Its focus on the British Empire was removed: Canada was now an independent nation (Troper, 2002). The new course centred on regions of the world in order 'to teach future citizens the knowledge and the understanding that will enable them to imagine accurately "the conditions of the great world stage" and so help them to think sanely about the problems of mankind in the world today' (Department of Education, 1960: 46).…”

Les commissions scolaires et les immigrants à Toronto et à Montréal (1900-1945) : quatre modèles d’intégration en milieu urbain

“…Ce modèle d'intégration scolaire perdurera jusqu'à la Seconde Guerre mondiale, pour être ensuite sérieusement ébranlé quand le tissu identitaire et sociologique de la société torontoise et canadienne-anglaise se trouvera profondément transformé en raison d'une immigration massive et de l'émergence d'un nationalisme canadien. À ce moment, l'école publique mettra de l'avant des cours d'éducation à la citoyenneté, qui ouvriront la voie à une identité un peu plus inclusive et davantage détachée de l'héritage britannique et protestant (Troper, 2002 ;Igartua, 2006).…”

Unreached and Unreasonable: Curriculum Standards and Children’s Understanding of Ethnic Diversity in Canada

“…Several recent publications document the considerable shift in Canadian society generally, and in Canadian education in particular, with regard to diversity. Troper (2002), for example, documents the substantial change in Canadian social policy over the years, particularly in the area of immigration, and the corresponding growth and recognition of diversity in the country. Until after World War II, he argues, Canadian public policy was designed to keep out immigrants who did not fit the dominant White, British culture, and to assimilate any people already in the country who did not fit that mould.…”

“…Until after World War II, he argues, Canadian public policy was designed to keep out immigrants who did not fit the dominant White, British culture, and to assimilate any people already in the country who did not fit that mould. With the Citizenship Act of 1947, Troper (2002) contends, policy began to shift and today multiculturalism is presented “as the true and only basis of Canadian Identity” (p. 159). Russell (2002) describes this policy shift as a move from “the assimilationist perspective” (p. 138), through “the bicultural perspective” (p. 139), to “the multicultural perspective” (p. 140).…”