A Country Still Becoming
Exploring the moments that have shaped Canada — and the evolving story still being written.
Canada’s story did not end at Confederation. Since 1867, the country has continued to evolve — shaped by people, communities, ideas, challenges and moments of profound change.
Becoming Canadian invites Canadians to reflect on that ongoing process through 160 defining moments from 1867 to 2027. Together, these moments will offer an opportunity to explore where we have been, how we have changed, and what our shared histories can tell us about the country we are still becoming.
Developed as a national bilingual digital heritage commemoration, the project is designed to bring Canadian history to life through multiple perspectives, meaningful questions and stories from communities across the country.
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Explore the 16 Themes
1. Art
3. Medicine
2. Science
2. Science
3. Medicine
2. Science
3. Medicine
3. Medicine
3. Medicine
4. Sports
3. Medicine
3. Medicine
5. Military
6. Geographic
6. Geographic
6. Geographic
6. Geographic
6. Geographic
7. Technology
6. Geographic
7. Technology
8. Ecological
6. Geographic
7. Technology
9. Reconciliation
9. Reconciliation
9. Reconciliation
10. Innovation
9. Reconciliation
9. Reconciliation
11. Research
9. Reconciliation
11. Research
12. Cultural
9. Reconciliation
11. Research
13. Literature
15. Civil Rights
14. Legislative
14. Legislative
15. Civil Rights
14. Legislative
15. Civil Rights
15. Civil Rights
15. Civil Rights
16. Labour
15. Civil Rights
15. Civil Rights
A National Digital Story
Bringing 160 defining moments together through stories, places and perspectives from across Canada.
At the centre of Becoming Canadian will be a national bilingual digital StoryMap — an interactive experience bringing together the 160 defining moments through stories, images, geography and digital storytelling.
Rather than simply presenting a timeline of Canadian history, the StoryMap will help visitors explore how defining moments connect to people, places and communities across the country, revealing both familiar stories and perspectives that have too often gone unheard.
Using innovative GIS and StoryMapping tools, the project will create opportunities for Canadians to explore history in new ways — connecting stories to place, encouraging inquiry and helping learners see how local experiences contribute to the broader national story.
Educators and learners will also have access to free digital tools and training, creating opportunities to develop StoryMaps of their own and give greater visibility to student voice and local stories.
Questions That Guide the Story
The 160 defining moments will do more than tell us what happened. They will invite Canadians to think critically about why these moments matter, how they changed the country, and what they reveal about Canada’s continuing process of becoming.
Question 1
How have these defining moments in our shared histories reflected the core Canadian principles established at the time of Confederation: “Peace, Order and Good Government”?
Question 2
How do these defining moments reflect Canada’s evolving journey toward national sovereignty?
Question 3
How do these defining moments invite Canadians to reflect on what Canada is becoming, while also confronting and learning from the past?
Question 4
In what ways do these defining moments demonstrate significant change among Canadian communities?
Question 5
Although some defining moments had their greatest impact in particular regions, how do they also reveal stories of national significance?