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)