COW - Canadian citizenship guide content: Comparison of current and new draft - June 10, 2021

The following table provides comparative examples of the content in the current citizenship guide, Discover Canada, first published in 2009 (with some minor modifications in 2012) and the new draft citizenship [redacted]. Overall, the differences listed below highlight that the new draft citizenship guide provides a more reflective portrayal of Canadian society.

Content

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Does not contain a cohesive narrative that tells the story of Canadian society and how it evolved. Content is generally less comprehensive than [redacted].

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Limited content on Indigenous peoples.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Euro-centric and incomplete portrayal of history, no reference of colonization outside Vikings or historic racism (outside sparse incomplete references).

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Limited content on Francophones and limited references throughout the guide.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Short section on Black Canadians and only in reference to slavery in Canada and the Underground Railroad.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Limited information dedicated to the contributions of women (brief references to women throughout; one section on women gaining the right to vote).

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

One sentence about marriage equality and photo of Mark Tewksbury (activist for gay and lesbian rights).

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

No information about the rights of people with disabilities.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

One page on rights and freedoms.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Few stories of relatable Canadians. Limited representation of Canadian diversity often found in photo captions.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Limited emphasis on diversity in text and photos.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Lens used has been described as paternalist and euro-centric.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Information has not been updated/is not updatable for changes in key facts about Canada and Canadian democracy.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Outdated and exclusionary terminology (“Indian”, “Aboriginal”).

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Exclusionary language surrounding immigrants bringing “violent, extreme, or hateful prejudices” to Canada.

[redacted].

Discover Canada (2009/2012)

Text is limited in portrayal of new developments in industry and the economy (i.e. blackberry) which are now outdated.