Goals

Canada must confront its national unity crisis by establishing a transformative civic engagement program that brings Canadians from all backgrounds together in service to their country. This program will rebuild pride in our national identity while providing essential services that strengthen our communities. Through this initiative, we will:

• Increase the percentage of Canadians who report being “proud” of their nationality to 75% within five years
• Address critical workforce shortages in healthcare, skilled trades, and rural communities by deploying 250,000 Canadians annually in service roles by 2030

Background and Motivation

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented decline in national cohesion. Recent surveys show that only 34% of Canadians now report being “very proud” to be Canadian, down dramatically from 52% in 2016¹. 

This national pride deficit is most acute among younger Canadians. Fewer than half of Canadians under 35 express pride in their nationality, with only 48% of young men and 41% of young women feeling this connection². Most troubling, over 63% of young women now view their attachment to Canada as mainly transactional, based solely on standard of living considerations³.

Beyond pride, actual community engagement has collapsed. Charitable giving and volunteering rates have plummeted, with fewer than 20% of Canadians now claiming charitable donation tax credits, down from much higher historical levels⁴. Meanwhile, a severe military recruitment crisis has the Canadian Armed Forces over 15,000 members (about 15%) below authorized strength⁵ – a situation the Defence Minister called a “death spiral.”⁶

Provincial divisions further threaten our unity. Quebec consistently reports the weakest Canadian attachment, with only 30% of Quebecers feeling deeply connected to Canada, while Western provinces have seen Canadian pride plunge by 25-28 percentage points since 2016⁷. This alienation has reached the point where Alberta and Saskatchewan have passed “sovereignty acts” to assert provincial authority against federal policies.

Perhaps most alarming, a late-2024 poll found 13% of Canadians think Canada should join the United States if it came with guaranteed American citizenship and financial incentives⁸, with this number rising to roughly 20-25% among those open to considering it. Among younger Canadians aged 18-34, a shocking 43% would consider U.S. annexation⁹.^‍‍

Other countries facing similar challenges have successfully implemented national service programs. Singapore’s mandatory service brings together citizens from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other communities to live and train together, reinforcing a shared national identity. Israel uses its military service as a way to forge a nation from diverse immigrants, teaching Hebrew, instilling shared values, and creating an Israeli people. Finland’s universal conscription is widely viewed as a pillar of national resilience and cohesion, with around 79% of Finns supporting the program.

Canada must establish its own model of mandatory civic service to rebuild our national fabric. By bringing young Canadians together from all backgrounds and regions, we can create shared experiences that transcend differences and restore a sense of common purpose. This program would also address critical national needs while providing participants with meaningful skills and connections.

The erosion of our national unity is not merely a philosophical concern—it threatens our economic prosperity, social cohesion, and ultimately our existence as a united country. We must act now before this fragmentation becomes irreversible.

Real-World Solutions

Singapore’s National Service ¹⁰ has effectively united a multi-ethnic society since 1967. All male citizens and permanent residents serve for two years in the military, police, or civil defence forces. The program intentionally mixes citizens from different ethnic backgrounds, creating a shared experience that transcends cultural differences. Government leaders describe it as “the glue that binds our society.” Singapore has maintained exceptional social cohesion despite having a population comprising Chinese (74%), Malay (13%), Indian (9%), and other ethnicities¹¹.

Israel’s Defense Service Law ^12,13,14 requires mandatory military service for most citizens at age 18. Beyond defence, the system serves as a powerful societal integration mechanism. The Israel Defense Forces functions as a “people’s army” where young Israelis from vastly different backgrounds—whether native-born, immigrants from Russia or Ethiopia, urban or rural—come together. David Ben-Gurion explicitly designed the program to forge a unified nation from diverse immigrants by teaching Hebrew, instilling shared values, and creating bonds between citizens. The system includes special accommodations for new immigrants, with service terms adjusted based on age of arrival.

Finland’s Conscription System has maintained extremely high public support while fostering national resilience. Under the Conscription Act, all male Finnish citizens serve in the military or approved civilian service starting at age 18. Annual “call-up days” in each municipality bring together the year’s cohort for evaluation and service assignment. Despite being mandatory, many Finns approach service with volunteer spirit, as evidenced by strong retention in voluntary reserve exercises. The program reinforces a national identity centered on “maanpuolustus” (defence of the homeland) and enjoys approximately 79% public support—one of the highest levels in Europe.

What Needs To Be Done

Establish a transformative Canadian Civic Service program that requires all citizens aged 18-30 to complete one year of service. This program will reconnect Canadians with each other and their country, build valuable skills, and address critical national needs.

• ‍ Establish a mandatory one-year civic engagement requirement for Canadian citizens between 18 and 30. The Canadian Civic Service Act will require all citizens to complete one year of service, with participants choosing between military enlistment or approved civilian service options. Service paths will be roles that advance the public interest and promote national unity. Military options could include armed forces or cyber defence corps. Civilian options could include national infrastructure projects, public health roles, environmental efforts or civic tech. The program will be administered by a new Canadian Civic Service Agency within the Department of Canadian Heritage, working in partnership with provinces, territories, and indigenous communities.

• Implement a phased rollout starting with younger participants. Beginning with 18-year-olds in the first year, the program will gradually expand to include older age groups up to 30 over a five-year period. Those enrolled in post-secondary education may defer service until after graduation but must complete it before age 30. The phased approach will allow for infrastructure development, curriculum refinement, and capacity building while providing early success stories to strengthen public support. First-phase implementation will target 50,000 participants in year one, scaling to 250,000 annually by year five.

• Create a compelling incentive structure for program participants. All participants will receive a living stipend at 75% of minimum wage, comprehensive health benefits, and housing allowances when serving away from home. Upon completion, participants will qualify for educational credits worth up to $10,000 applicable to tuition or student loan repayment. Employers will receive tax incentives for hiring program graduates, and program alumni will receive priority consideration for federal employment. These benefits will ensure the program is viewed as a valuable investment rather than merely an obligation.

• Develop partnerships with provincial governments, educational institutions, and employers. Federal-provincial agreements will establish service placement quotas aligned with regional needs and provincial funding contributions. Universities and colleges will offer academic credit for service experiences and develop pre/post-service educational pathways. Major employers will commit to recognizing service experience in hiring practices, with the top 100 Canadian corporations pledging to interview program graduates. These partnerships will create a comprehensive ecosystem supporting the program’s success.

• Offer voluntary participation opportunities for immigrants and permanent residents. Non-citizens will be encouraged to volunteer for the program through significant immigration benefits, including fast-tracked citizenship applications for permanent residents who complete service. Temporary residents can earn priority consideration for permanent residency through participation. The program will include culturally sensitive options and language support to ensure accessibility for new Canadians, while creating integration opportunities through shared service with Canadian-born citizens.

• Establish meaningful consequences for non-compliance while ensuring fairness. Those who refuse service without legitimate medical or family hardship exemptions will face restrictions including ineligibility for federal student loans, exclusion from federal employment, and an annual civic responsibility tax of $2,000 until service is completed or age exemption (30) is reached. Appeals processes will allow for case review, and alternative service options will accommodate various circumstances. These measures will ensure high participation rates while respecting individual situations.

• Develop a robust national marketing campaign celebrating service and shared Canadian values. Launch a multi-platform “Serve Canada” campaign featuring diverse service participants and highlighting impact stories. Incorporate service experiences into school curricula starting in middle school to build awareness and positive expectations. Create annual recognition events including a National Service Day and awards for exceptional service contributions. The campaign will build public support and establish service as a proud Canadian tradition rather than an obligation.

Success will be measured through comprehensive metrics tracking national unity indicators, participation rates, economic impact, and participant outcomes. New accountability tools will include quarterly public reporting, an independent oversight board with multi-party representation, and an annual report to Parliament. Initial program implementation will begin within six months of legislation passage, with the first cohort of participants beginning service within 18 months.

Common Questions

• Isn’t mandatory service a violation of individual freedoms? Personal liberty and citizenship carries both rights and responsibilities. The program includes provisions for those facing serious difficulties and offers diverse service options to accommodate different values and abilities. Most democratic countries with mandatory service, including South Korea and Finland maintain high freedom rankings, demonstrating that civic obligations and personal freedom can successfully coexist.

• Won’t this program disproportionately impact lower-income Canadians who can’t delay entry into the workforce? The program is designed with equity at its core. All participants receive living stipends, housing allowances, and education credits. Low-income participants can select service options near home to maintain family support networks. Evidence from countries with mandatory service shows it actually increases social mobility by providing disadvantaged youth with valuable skills and connections.

• What about the economic impact of removing young people from the workforce? The program will actually strengthen our economy long-term. Participants will develop valuable skills addressing critical workforce shortages in healthcare, skilled trades, and other sectors. International evidence shows national service programs improve workforce readiness and reduce youth unemployment. The phased implementation allows economic sectors to adapt gradually to the new system.

• How will you accommodate individuals with disabilities or medical conditions? The program will offer a wide range of service options suitable for various abilities, including administrative, technical, and support roles. Those with significant disabilities that prevent meaningful participation will receive medical exemptions. However, our approach assumes most people can contribute in some capacity, focusing on abilities rather than limitations.

• Isn’t this just militarization of youth in disguise? No. Military service is just one of many options, and most participants will likely choose civilian paths. The program’s primary goal is building national unity and civic responsibility, not military preparedness. All service paths, including military options, will emphasize community building, civic education, and transferable skills development that benefit civilian life.

Conclusion

The Canadian Civic Service program represents our best opportunity to reverse declining national unity, address critical workforce needs, and invest in our young people. By bringing Canadians together from all backgrounds to serve their country and each other, we will rebuild the shared experiences and mutual understanding essential to our continued existence as a unified nation. The program not only addresses immediate national challenges but creates a new generation of engaged citizens committed to Canada’s future. It’s time to move beyond hoping that national unity will somehow repair itself. Through shared service, we can once again become a country that citizens are proud to call home.