Defining Moments Canada Relaunches With New National Digital Heritage Project

Becoming Canadian will explore 160 defining moments from Confederation to 2027 as Defining Moments Canada begins a renewed national chapter.

ORANGEVILLE, ON, CANADA, October 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Canadian Historical Education Services Ltd. (CanHist) is launching a new chapter for Defining Moments Canada / Moments déterminants Canada, with a renewed national focus and a major new bilingual digital heritage project now in development.

Becoming Canadian, launching in 2027, will explore 160 defining moments from 1867 to 2027, inviting Canadians to consider the people, ideas, achievements, challenges and turning points that have shaped the country — and continue to shape what Canada is becoming.

The project will build on the approach CanHist has developed through its national digital heritage work: combining research, education, multiple perspectives, digital storytelling and opportunities for Canadians to take part in the conversation.

“We’ve always believed that history is much more than a list of dates and events. What matters is asking why a moment is important, whose stories are being told, whose stories may be missing, and what all of that can teach us about Canada today.”
— Neil Orford, CanHist

BECOMING CANADIAN: 160 MOMENTS, ONE EVOLVING STORY
Launching in 2027, Becoming Canadian will invite Canadians to look at the country’s history through 160 defining moments, organized across 16 broad themes.

The project begins with a simple idea: Canada did not stop becoming Canada at Confederation.

Since 1867, the country has continued to change through the actions of people and communities, through moments of achievement and conflict, and through ongoing conversations about identity, sovereignty, reconciliation and belonging.

The final 160 moments will be shaped through a multidisciplinary consultation process that brings together a wide range of perspectives, including those of Indigenous peoples, youth, women, educators, scholars and professionals from across Canada.

Free learning resources will also give educators and students new ways to research, question and share Canadian history.

“The Royal Canadian Institute for Science (RCIScience) is delighted to support CanHist.ca’s ‘Becoming Canadian’ project, which captures the essence of how we came to be and where we are headed. ... As Canada’s oldest scientific society, we are building a stronger country through civic engagement with science, and it is fitting that we should look to our past to prepare for a rapidly evolving future.”
— Carrie Boyce, Executive Director, RCIScience

HOW 160 MOMENTS BECOME A NATIONAL DIGITAL STORY

16 Themes. 160 Moments.
The 160 defining moments will be explored across 16 broad themes in Canadian history, with approximately ten moments drawn from each. Together, they will examine the people, ideas, achievements, challenges and turning points that have contributed to Canada’s continuing process of becoming.

The project will place particular emphasis on student voice and local stories, giving learners opportunities to contribute their own research and perspectives.

A RENEWED DEFINING MOMENTS CANADA
The relaunch also introduces a refreshed identity for Defining Moments Canada, now a national bilingual digital heritage initiative of CanHist.

The focus will remain on stories that can sometimes be overlooked within larger national narratives — local histories, community experiences and individual voices that help us understand the human dimensions of history.

“Defining Moments Canada has an impressive track record for commemorative education projects and products.”
— Alex Fitzgerald-Black, Executive Director, Juno Beach Centre Association

BUILDING ON CANHIST’S NATIONAL WORK
The relaunch of Defining Moments Canada builds on CanHist’s work on Out of This World 25 (OOTW25), its national education initiative connecting Chris Hadfield’s historic 2001 spacewalk with Canada’s continuing role in space exploration.

That experience has helped shape DMC’s renewed focus on bilingual digital storytelling, national partnerships, classroom learning and public participation.

The new English and French pages for Defining Moments Canada and Becoming Canadian are available through CanHist.ca, where Canadians can learn more about DMC and follow the development of Becoming Canadian through 2027.

ABOUT DEFINING MOMENTS CANADA
Defining Moments Canada / Moments déterminants Canada is a national bilingual digital heritage initiative of Canadian Historical Education Services Ltd. (CanHist). Through research, education, digital storytelling and community perspectives, DMC explores significant moments in Canadian history and encourages Canadians of all ages to question, connect with and participate in telling Canada’s many interconnected stories.

ABOUT CANHIST
Canadian Historical Education Services Ltd. (CanHist) develops national heritage projects, learning experiences, tours and public-history initiatives designed to make Canadian history engaging, meaningful and accessible. CanHist’s current work includes Out of This World 25, Defining Moments Canada, learning programs, CanHist Tours and Small Town Big Ideas.

Learn more about Defining Moments Canada at CanHist.ca/about-dmc.
Explore Becoming Canadian at DMC160.ca.

Neil Orford
Canadian Historical Education Services Ltd. (CanHist)
+1 519-217-0402
info@canhist.ca
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok
X

Becoming Canadian™ – 160 Defining Moments | Teaser Video