Canadian citizenship test study guide

Which of these is a responsibility of Canadian citizenship?

Obeying the law

Citizens' responsibilities include obeying the law, voting, serving on a jury, helping others and caring for Canada's heritage and environment.

What document, part of the Constitution since 1982, sets out Canadians' rights and freedoms?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Charter was added to the Constitution in 1982.

What is Magna Carta also known as?

The Great Charter of Freedoms

Signed in England in 1215, it is the basis of many of Canada's freedoms.

What is habeas corpus?

The right to challenge being held unlawfully by the state

It comes from English common law and protects against unlawful detention.

Who can vote in federal elections in Canada?

Canadian citizens aged 18 or older

Voting in federal elections is a right of Canadian citizens 18 and over.

Which of these freedoms is protected in Canada?

Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression

Canadians also have freedom of conscience and religion, peaceful assembly and association.

Is voting in Canadian elections secret?

Yes, it is a secret ballot

No one, including your employer or family, can see how you voted.

Which of these is an example of taking responsibility for oneself and one's family?

Getting a job and taking care of your family

Discover Canada says working hard and caring for your family are important Canadian values.

What are Canada's two official languages?

English and French

English and French have equal status in Parliament and federal services.

What are the three founding peoples of Canada?

Indigenous, French and British

Discover Canada names Aboriginal (Indigenous), French and British peoples.

What are the three groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada?

First Nations, Inuit and Métis

These three groups are recognised in the Constitution.

Who are the Métis?

A distinct people of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry

Most Métis live in the Prairie provinces and speak French or English, many also Michif.

Where do most Inuit live?

In the Arctic

Inuit live in communities across the Arctic.

Who are the Acadians?

Descendants of French colonists who settled in the Maritimes from 1604

Many were deported by the British in 1755–1763, the Great Upheaval.

Which province is officially bilingual?

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province.

When did Canada become a country (Confederation)?

1867

Confederation took place on July 1, 1867.

What were the first four provinces to join Confederation?

Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

These four formed the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?

Sir John A. Macdonald

He became Prime Minister in 1867.

Who was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation?

Sir Wilfrid Laurier

Laurier became Prime Minister in 1896; he appears on the $5 bill.

Who were the Fathers of Confederation?

The leaders who worked together to form Canada

They met in Charlottetown and Quebec City in 1864 to plan Confederation.

What happened in the War of 1812?

The United States invaded Canada and was pushed back

The defence of Canada helped shape a sense of shared identity.

Who was Sir Isaac Brock?

A British general who helped defend Canada in the War of 1812

He captured Detroit and died at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812.

Who was Laura Secord?

A pioneer who walked about 30 km to warn of an American attack in 1813

Her warning helped win the Battle of Beaver Dams.

Who were the United Empire Loyalists?

People loyal to the Crown who came to Canada after the American Revolution

More than 40,000 Loyalists came to Canada.

What was the Underground Railroad?

A network that helped enslaved people escape from the US to Canada

Thousands of people escaped slavery this way.

When was the Canadian Pacific Railway completed?

1885

The last spike was driven in 1885, linking the country from coast to coast.

Which battle in 1917 is remembered as a symbol of Canada's coming of age?

Vimy Ridge

Canadian troops captured Vimy Ridge in France in April 1917.

What is commemorated on November 11 (Remembrance Day)?

The sacrifice of Canadians who served in wars

Canadians wear red poppies and observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Where did Canadian troops land on D-Day in 1944?

Juno Beach in France

About 15,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.

In which year did most Canadian women win the right to vote in federal elections?

1918

Manitoba was the first province to give women the vote, in 1916.

What gold rush brought thousands of people to the Yukon in the 1890s?

The Klondike Gold Rush

It led to the creation of the Yukon Territory in 1898.

Which colony was the first to win responsible government, in 1847–48?

Nova Scotia

Responsible government means ministers must have the support of the elected assembly.

Who was Louis Riel?

A Métis leader who led two resistance movements

He led the Métis resistance in 1869–70 and 1885.

Which Canadian scientists discovered insulin?

Frederick Banting and Charles Best

They discovered insulin in 1921, saving millions of lives.

What was Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope?

A run across Canada to raise money for cancer research

He ran on an artificial leg in 1980; the Terry Fox Run continues today.

What type of government does Canada have?

A parliamentary democracy, a federal state and a constitutional monarchy

Discover Canada describes all three as key facts of Canada's government.

Who is Canada's Head of State?

The Sovereign (the King)

Canada's Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign, the King or Queen.

Who represents the Sovereign in Canada?

The Governor General

The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Who represents the Sovereign in each province?

The Lieutenant Governor

In the territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government.

Who is the head of the federal government?

The Prime Minister

The Prime Minister leads the party with the most seats in the House of Commons.

Who is the head of a provincial government?

The Premier

The Premier plays a role in the province similar to the Prime Minister's.

What are the three parts of Parliament?

The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons

A bill must pass both houses and receive Royal Assent to become law.

How are members of the House of Commons chosen?

Elected by the people

Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected in federal elections.

How are senators chosen?

Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister

Senators may serve until age 75.

What is Royal Assent?

The Sovereign's (Governor General's) approval that turns a bill into law

It's the last step for a bill to become law.

What is the role of the opposition parties?

To oppose or try to improve the government's proposals

The largest opposition party is the Official Opposition.

Who appoints the Cabinet ministers?

The Prime Minister selects them

Ministers are usually MPs who lead government departments.

What is the highest court in Canada?

The Supreme Court of Canada

It is Canada's final court of appeal.

Who is in charge of the police in most of Canada's rural areas and three territories?

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP is the federal police force; Ontario and Quebec have provincial police.

What is the name of Canada's national anthem?

O Canada

"O Canada" became the national anthem in 1980.

When was the red maple leaf flag adopted?

1965

The flag was first raised on February 15, 1965.

What are Canada's official colours?

Red and white

They were proclaimed by King George V in 1921.

What is Canada's motto, which means "from sea to sea"?

A mari usque ad mare

It comes from the Bible and refers to Canada stretching across the continent.

Which animal is an official symbol of Canada?

The beaver

The beaver was important in the early fur trade.

How many provinces and territories does Canada have?

10 provinces and 3 territories

The territories are Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

What is the capital of Canada?

Ottawa

Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital in 1857.

What is the capital of Nunavut?

Iqaluit

Nunavut was created in 1999.

Which province has the most people?

Ontario

More than a third of Canadians live in Ontario.

Which provinces are the Prairie provinces?

Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta

They are rich in farmland and energy resources.

Which country has the longest coastline in the world?

Canada

Canada's coastline touches the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.

When is Canada Day?

July 1

It celebrates Confederation in 1867.

What is the Victoria Cross?

Canada's highest honour for bravery in war

Nearly 100 Canadians have received it.