Recalling and recognizing War of 1812 tough for Canadians: DND poll

OTTAWA – There was a war in 1812? Really?

The Harper government has been highlighting a war with our American neighbours 200 years ago, but the relevance of commemorating the event seemed lost on almost all of those who participated in a comprehensive survey for National Defence.

The poll, conducted annually, measures impressions of the Canadian military, its missions, equipment and important events.

Few people who took part in the survey were aware of the anniversary “and even fewer could identify the War of 1812 by name.”

The research in February and March this year by Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc. said most focus-group participants had no prior awareness of the anniversary.

That may be bad news for the Harper government, which has invested as much as $28 million in historical re-enactments, television commercials, museum exhibits, a $60 commemorative coin, and even a mobile app for smart phones.