The idea behind the Guernsey Origins program is, of course, to attract more Canadian visitors to Guernsey. Most people are naturally interested in visiting the land of their ancestors. At the same time, the tourism department limits its involvement in the program. It has nothing to do with us at that point. The intention is quite gentle.
Organizers ultimately hope to extend the project to the U.S., Australia and other countries.
Meanwhile, Canada was chosen as the first target because there exist strong historical links between the two places. Sarnia took its name from the ancient Roman name for Guernsey. Sir Isaac Brock, killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, was a Guernseyman. In the late 16th century, fishermen from the Channel Islands sailed across the Atlantic to fish for cod off the coast of Newfoundland. Guernsey's history is that of a mixed French and English culture.