Poll reveals Canadians' widespread ignorance of Canada

by CBC — June 30, 2009

OTTAWA - Shockingly ignorant, eh?

There's not much national pride to be drawn from a new poll published just in time for Canada Day. The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey suggests the country knows little about its own history - even its most recent history.

Only 42 per cent of respondents knew Canada had three territories - which, when compared with some of the other results from the 13-question survey, could be ranked as a towering success.

When asked how old Canada was turning this year, just 21 per cent answered correctly that the country - founded in 1867 - was turning 142 years old.

The wild range of incorrect replies spanned from 30 years to 287 years, placing Canada's founding at sometime between the War of Spanish Succession and the dying days of disco.

"You've got a big range of perception about how old Canada is," said Harris-Decima vice-president Jeff Walker.

Source:CBC.ca