"This was a world-changing event in which Canadians played an absolutely major role and it needs to be commemorated in a big way."

Granatstein conceded, however, that he could "see some of the difficulties" for the government in commemorating the First World War.

"Quebec basically opted out of the war, and it's pretty hard to paint it any other way, and it would be a bit difficult for the government to paint it as a great national experience when a third of the country opted out. But in English-speaking Canada, this was a huge event with major social ramifications as well."

Granatstein, who once headed up the Canadian War Museum, also scoffed at complaints from McKay and other historians — including those at the Canadian History Association — about the government's laser-sharp focus on Canada's military history.

"It's ignorance, it's stupidity, and it's been my view that it's complete nonsense," he said.

"Obviously I am generalizing, but historians are all NDPers, they hate the Tories with a passion, and they're all social historians, so they think any government that's going to commemorate the War of 1812 — which they have all said is unimportant, which is just silly — is a war-mongering government."

Of particular concern to many historians, however, is the government's $25 million overhaul of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, which will soon become the Canadian Museum of History. That rebranding is considered just one puzzle piece in a broader Conservative strategy to alter the way Canadians view their history.

The speech from the throne vowed to establish "the Canadian Museum of History to share the story of Canada with pride."

Dominique Marshall, president of the Canadian History Association, urged the government on Wednesday to consult with historians as it determines how to spend money commemorating Canada's history.

"Pride is important, but it's not the only thing," she said. "It's very important to examine those aspects of our history that might be considered more difficult — tensions, debates, mistakes that were made."

First Nations and Canada's prehistoric past might also be neglected in the drive to instil pride and commemorate military triumphs, she added.

Earlier this year, the Canadian History Association said changing the museum's name and mandate "appears to reflect a new use of history to support the government's political agenda."

The museum's 1990 mandate stressed the need to increase an "interest in, knowledge and critical understanding" of Canadian history.

Its new mandate, implemented under former heritage minister James Moore — now industry minister — is aimed at boosting Canadians' "knowledge, understanding and appreciation of events, experiences, people and objects that reflect and have shaped Canada's history and identity."

McKay said he considers that change in language — particularly the lack of the words "critical understanding" — to be startling, although it may seem subtle to anyone not a committed student of Canadian history.

"It's sort of like a Hockey Hall of Fame approach to history — to celebrate and mythologize," he said. "It more than verges on propaganda."

Granatstein, however, shrugged off complaints about the new museum.

"They're forgetting, of course, that there is the Canadian War Museum that does all the war history, and it's not going to be duplicated by the Canadian Museum of History," he said.

Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show that Canada's official commemorative plan leading up to the country’s 150th birthday highlights an arsenal of battles and wars, a smattering of sports and a nod to the Arctic.

The government’s Interdepartmental Commemorations Committee has also singled out the 200th anniversary of the births of Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Etienne Cartier as well as the 175th of Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s entry into the world.

The list also includes the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games, the 125th of the Stanley Cup and the 100th of both the National Hockey League and a Canadian expedition to the Arctic.

The various milestones are to be celebrated with ceremonies, education campaigns, plaques, books, coins, performances and even an ice sculpture.

By Lee-Anne Goodman, The Canadian Press