Exploring the Historical Consciousness of Canadians
What role does the past play in the everyday lives of Canadians? How does history help define individual and collective identities? Is history dead or does it shape Canada’s future?
These are some of the questions addressed by Canadians and Their Pasts. Launched in 2006, this project builds on research conducted in Australia, Europe, and the United States on the role of history in people’s lives today. Using a massive telephone survey, focus groups, and other research methods, researchers in the project probe the historical consciousness of Canadians in an effort to understand their general interest in and understanding of the past; the activities related to the past in which they participate; and which sources of historical information they trust.
We invite you to explore this site to find out about the projects, participants, and findings of Canadians and Their Pasts.