TORONTO, March 14, 2019
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, today announced funding of over $4 million for Historica Canada to support four projects that will help Canadians discover their history. The announcement was made at the headquarters of Historica Canada in Toronto.
Funding is being provided through the Canada History Fund, which encourages Canadians to improve their knowledge about Canada's history, civics and public policy. Financial support will be allotted to the following initiatives:
- The Heritage Minutes, a collection of 60-second dramatized vignettes that recreate events of importance, accomplishment and bravery in our country's history, will receive $1,885,000 to support the creation of six new Heritage Minutes, releasing two vignettes per year, in both official languages, for three years.
The Memory Project, a nationwide bilingual project will receive $945,806 to continue to provide the opportunity for Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel to share their stories in classrooms and communities across Canada. Since its inception, the Memory Project has reached over 2.1 million Canadians.
The Canadian Encyclopedia, a bilingual fact-checked and authoritative online reference that highlights the history of peoples, places and events in Canada, will receive $1,110,000 to focus on creating, updating and acquiring multimedia content about Canada's diverse communities.
The Citizenship Challenge will receive $225,000 to administer and promote an online mock citizenship quiz that tests participants' knowledge about Canada. Over the past seven years, more than 570,000 people have taken a version of the Challenge. Although a score of 75 percent is required to pass the test, the average hovers at 69 percent. This speaks to the need for a greater understanding of civics in this country.
"By exploring, learning, and reflecting on our past and what it means to be Canadian, we are helping a new generation be proud of their stories and collective history. Historica Canada plays a pivotal role in promoting Canada's rich past".
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
Quick facts
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Canadian Heritage's Canada History Fund supports the work of Historica Canada through the Heritage Minutes, The Canadian Encyclopedia, the Memory Project, Canada History Week and the Citizenship Challenge.
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Historica Canada, a registered national charitable organization, is the country's largest organization dedicated to enhancing awareness of Canadian history and citizenship.
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Historica Canada's mandate is to build active and informed citizens through a greater knowledge and appreciation of the history, heritage and stories of Canada. Its programs reached more than 24 million Canadians last year.
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The Canada History Fund aims to increase understanding of Canada's history, stories, people and democracy. The Fund supports the production of learning materials, the organization of learning activities and the creation or maintenance of networks.
