Get Your Message Out ... Interview with Minister Moore

The Honourable Minister James Moore with Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
The Honourable Minister James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

Canada verses United States … Pleasantly surprised …

We mentioned during our interview to Minister Moore that we have read that the New York and Michigan states are spending very little on the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations while the Canadian and Ontario governments are spending a large amount. The US border towns and communities are very angry at their State governments for not spending the monies on these Celebrations.  Since we have a large number of US readers, we asked Minister Moore why are your Government and Ministry spending so much money and the Americans are not?

I was pleasantly surprised by Minister Moore’s response to these statements. Instead of continuing to speak of the negative comments, he chose to speak highly of what the United States are doing! He told us about a recent PBS documentary about the War of 1812. Their focus was on their understanding how continental important the War was. They discussed austerity pressures and much more.

(To Be Continued)

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Get Your Message Out! …

Minister Moore was able to reply to a question from Mr. Joe Corrigan, General Manager/Curator, Lang Pioneer Village and Museum and Chair, Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Regional Tourism Organization #8 question …“As for the Minister, I’d be interested in what he feels our Canadian Heritage contributes to the growth of tourism in this country and what can museums do to encourage development of this increasingly important aspect of our economic development?”  Minister Moore replied … “more than ever before people are realizing how important tourism is. It is important that you, as an organization, be very pro-active! Make sure that the Government’s know who you are and what you do… stay engaged and stay encouraged. Don’t underestimate what you have to offer of what people will come to. Get your message out!”

Investing in our Future ... Interview with Minister Moore

The Honourable Minister James Moore with Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
The Honourable Minister James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

Investing in our Future …

I have read recent internet “news alerts” asking why the Canadian Government is spending 30 million dollars towards the 1812 Bicentennial celebrations rather than spending it on education. We asked Minister Moore is he had any thoughts about this concern?

We talked about events that have positive economic growth for Canada and those they can be a positive influence in the process. It is important to recognize our diverse culture and the languages during the events and festivals, including inclusion with the production of the media (television, radio) reflecting our Bilingual Country. It was important to represent All Canadians and our Official Languages. Some other controversy might focus on Core Services, (such as health, police services, monies desired to be spent on other services).

Minister Moore feels “that the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations, living history, and history are a vital educational component. Financial funds have been allotted and have already funded other existing important historical events such as the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne begin across the British Commonwealth". An interesting side note is that the Queen is the second longest reigning monarch in British history. Her great great grandmother Queen Victoria (1819-1901) still holds the record of 63 years and seven months. Victoria marked her Diamond Jubilee in 1897”.

(To Be Continued)

Controversial issues … Politicians Debate … Interview with Minister Moore

The Honourable Minister James Moore with Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
The Honourable Minister James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

Controversial issues … Politicians Debate …

There have been a number of "controversial" articles written about the War of 1812. Since, on our website, we like to present all sides of an issue and since everyone seems to have a different strong "opinion", we asked Minister Moore what he would suggest we do to “not offend” our readers and historians? As an example, we asked Minister Moore how he responded to the recent comments by a well known American historian that Canada won the War of 1812.

Minister Moore commented “that the War of 1812 discussions surround the story of how and why the War began and how and why the War ended! Many people are discussing this issue. A democratic society is what defines Canada. We debate! We discuss!" He told us that it is a Politian’s duty, (job so to speak) to debate. It is the opposition’s job in dissenting to disagree. These debates sometimes lead to many debates. Minister Moore continues "everyone has an opinion, but, that it is the informed opinion that disagrees with the nay Sayers, and eventually, the effectual policies are tabled and dealt with”.

(To Be Continued)

The Importance of Living History ~ Interview with Minister Moore

The Honourable Minister James Moore with Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
The Honouralbe James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

The Importance of “Living History” …

We asked Minister Moore, why does the Federal Government feel that Canadian History, the War of 1812 and “living history” is so important and, why is it important to himself as a Canadian?

He replies "it is important to understand that this War defined the fact of Canada. This War is especially important to remember, as it is a very, very rare story line, in that it was an event that was National in Consequence. Again, it defined Canada.”

Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations have visited many reenactments, heritage villages and museums over the pat few years. We wondered if Minister Moore had ever visited a re-enactment and/or had been a participant (re-enactor) and if so, what was his favorite? With that he told us "I have attended reenactments but 'as a spectator only'." He tells us he is a huge 'Military Buff', but it is not his aspiration to be a reenactor”. Minister Moore did comment that his physical stature might restrict his ability to 'fit' into period clothing. The Minister is an imposing figure at well over six feet tall! I mentioned to him that a local high school history teach, Mr. Chris Robin’s, purchases used clothing (suits jacket and pants), from a local thrift community fundraising store, then hand sows the correct artifacts onto the clothing to make “authentic historical clothing”. I commented to the Minister, that he might only be limited by his imagination.

(To Be Continued)

All Regions, All Canadians … Interview with Minister Moore

The Honourable Minister James Moore with Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
The Honourable James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

All Regions, All Canadians ...Canada has great ethnic diversity, immigration and culture. I was able to ask Minister Moore if the Federal Government had any programs or plans to integrate these multicultural individuals and families into the fabric of our Country. I also asked what initiations there were to encourage the youth of today to become volunteers and to take part and become involved in the Bicentennial celebrations. Minister Moore discussed what he referred to as the “Three biggest challenges” in accomplishing the above. He feels “it is important that the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations be a full benefit to all! It is the Government's hope to engage all Canadians”. He talked about how this War defined Canada’s Boundaries, in particular creating a much different future for people of Aboriginal origin.

The Minister Moore was quite adamant when he stated... “that it will be equally as important to celebrate the War of 1812 Bicentennial in regions further from what is perceived to be the main focus of the Celebrations in the Niagara Region”. He said “that it will be just as important to reach out to smaller communities, to Halifax, Quebec and Calgary also. Therefore, the first challenge is our physical boundaries. He stated that New Canadians are already engaged as they learn about Canada and go through courses to study to become Canadian Citizens. The second challenge is that it is important that the Quebec Storey is understood. That although the War of 1812 was between the American/British and Upper Canada, there is the French Fact. The third challenge is to engage the Youth of our society and communities”.

An example of the above, while Minister Moore was visiting France this past summer, he spent some time visiting the fields of previous battles. It was apparent to him how virtually impossible the terrain made for deplorable conditions for Battle. By watching a battle reenactment, Minister Moore tells us “that it somewhat brought how true it might have been during the War, how gritty it truly was. Hand-to-hand battles, face to face, very “ugly”. The Youth of today might imagine death by smart bombs, automatic machinery, and such." but what he states is "The fact that most Soldiers did not die in combat. They died a much more miserable painful death, perhaps from infections, starvation, or worse.”

(To Be Continued)

More with Minister Moore, Ministry of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages …

The Honourable James Moore with Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
Honourable James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

 Important Values in Life, with Minister Moore …

I was able to ask Minister Moore what drew him towards Politics at such an early age? I felt this was an important question to provide our readers with some insight about James Moore, the man behind the Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. His reply seemed somewhat personal, however, I will share with you that he responded by saying … his first introduction to history was through Martin Luther King. He became enticed by the romance of the story. Mr. Moore gained insight of the values, engaging people through power and voice. Unfortunately his mother passed away in 1993, where, Mr. Moore being only 16 years old, he began to re-assess his values in life. He said the values began to sink in. It was then that he decided to enter the world of politics, as he said he wanted to really do something of value, to contribute something of importance, substance, and meaning to our society. He started to “volunteer” in the political field at 16 years old, the rest is history ….

(To Be Continued)

Interview with The Honourable James Moore Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

The Honourable Minister James Moore & Best Friend

Ontario Visited ~ Judi McWilliams with
The Honourable James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages

On an unusually warm winter’s day, the Festival Nomad and I travelled to downtown Ottawa to Canada’s Parliament Hill to get “THE INSIDE SCOOP”! For this Heritage edition, we had the privilege and wonderful opportunity to meet with The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.  We were meeting with the Minister to learn more about Canada’s upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations and insight about the Federal Government’s involvement with regard to these Celebrations. We were also hoping to get Scoop about his thoughts on Heritage, History, and Living History.

To understand the Minister's and the Federal Government's position, it may be best stated directly from the Canadian Government’s official website … “Heritage means many things to many Canadians: our geography and built environment; our personal and collective traditions; and the physical and intangible evidence of our history. Our historic places, heritage institutions and organizations enable us to discover our diverse heritage and help us know who we are and what brings us together.

Heritage policies and programs, including the Canadian Heritage Information Network, the Virtual Museum of Canada and the Canadian Conservation Institute, promote awareness, appreciation and protection of Canada's rich and multifaceted heritage. Through our programs, policy development and research initiatives, we support a dynamic and creative community.

Our vision is one of a Canada where all Canadians can celebrate our rich cultural diversity, our shared experiences and values, and where all can gain a greater understanding and appreciation of our history, heritage, and communities. We see a Canada that invests in the future by supporting the arts, our two official languages and our athletes. A Canada that is confident in a world of choice, at the forefront of the creative economy and a leader in the digital world”.

(To Be Continued)