Canadian Citizenship Practice Test 1

1. In the Oath of Citizenship, to whom do Canadians profess their loyalty?

1. The Constitution of Canada
2. The Sovereign (Queen or King of Canada)
3. The Canadian flag
4. The Prime Minister

Answer: B — The Sovereign (Queen or King of Canada)

In Canada, we profess our loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians — the Sovereign (Queen or King) — not to a document, a flag, or a country. Canada is personified by the Sovereign. Source: Discover Canada, "Understanding the Oath".

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2. Which of the following are responsibilities of Canadian citizenship?

1. Obeying the law, serving on a jury, and voting in elections
2. Owning property, paying for private health care, and joining a political party
3. Serving in the military, attending church, and learning both official languages
4. Carrying identification at all times and reporting neighbours to the police

Answer: A — Obeying the law, serving on a jury, and voting in elections

Citizenship responsibilities include obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, serving on a jury, voting in elections, helping others in the community, and protecting our heritage and environment. There is no compulsory military service in Canada. Source: Discover Canada, "Citizenship Responsibilities".

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3. Which of the following is a fundamental freedom protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

1. Freedom from paying taxes
2. The right to a government job
3. Freedom of conscience and religion
4. The right to free housing

Answer: C — Freedom of conscience and religion

The Charter protects fundamental freedoms including freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression (including freedom of speech and of the press); freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association. Source: Discover Canada, "Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship".

4. In what year was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenched in the Constitution?

1. 1867
2. 1931
3. 1965
4. 1982

Answer: D — 1982

The Constitution of Canada was amended in 1982 to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which begins: "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law." Source: Discover Canada, "Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship".

5. Who are the three founding peoples of Canada?

1. Aboriginal, French and British
2. French, British and American
3. Inuit, Métis and Acadian
4. English, Irish and Scottish

Answer: A — Aboriginal, French and British

To understand what it means to be Canadian, it is important to know about our three founding peoples — Aboriginal, French and British. Source: Discover Canada, "Who We Are".

6. What is the only officially bilingual province in Canada?

1. Quebec
2. New Brunswick
3. Ontario
4. Manitoba

Answer: B — New Brunswick

While the majority of Francophones live in Quebec, one million Francophones live in Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province. Source: Discover Canada, "Who We Are — English and French".

7. Who are the Métis?

1. The first inhabitants of the Arctic
2. Descendants of French colonists deported from the Maritimes
3. A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry
4. All Aboriginal people who are not First Nations

Answer: C — A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry

The Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, the majority of whom live in the Prairie provinces. They come from both French- and English-speaking backgrounds and speak their own dialect, Michif. Source: Discover Canada, "Who We Are — Aboriginal peoples".

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8. What happened at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759?

1. The Americans invaded Canada
2. The British defeated the French at Québec City, marking the end of France's empire in America
3. The French and the Iroquois made peace
4. Canada became an independent country

Answer: B — The British defeated the French at Québec City, marking the end of France's empire in America

In 1759, the British defeated the French in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at Québec City — marking the end of France's empire in America. The commanders of both armies, Brigadier James Wolfe and the Marquis de Montcalm, were killed in battle. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Struggle for a continent".

9. When was the Dominion of Canada established?

1. July 1, 1867
2. July 4, 1776
3. January 1, 1900
4. April 17, 1982

Answer: A — July 1, 1867

The Fathers of Confederation established the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867 — the birth of the country we know today. The British North America Act of 1867 is Canada's original constitutional document. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Confederation".

10. Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada?

1. Sir George-Étienne Cartier
2. Sir Wilfrid Laurier
3. Sir John A. Macdonald
4. Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché

Answer: C — Sir John A. Macdonald

Sir John A. Macdonald, a Father of Confederation, became the first Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Canada's First Prime Minister".

11. What was the significance of the War of 1812?

1. Canada gained its independence from Britain
2. It ensured that Canada would remain independent of the United States
3. It ended the fur trade
4. Quebec joined Confederation

Answer: B — It ensured that Canada would remain independent of the United States

By 1814, the American attempt to conquer Canada had failed. The present-day Canada–U.S.A. border is partly an outcome of the War of 1812, which ensured that Canada would remain independent of the United States. Source: Discover Canada, "The War of 1812: The Fight for Canada".

12. What are the three parts of Parliament?

1. The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Senate
2. The House of Commons, the Senate and the Supreme Court
3. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
4. The Governor General, the Prime Minister and the House of Commons

Answer: C — The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons

Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate and the House of Commons. No bill can become law until it has been passed by both chambers and has received royal assent. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".

13. What are the three key facts about Canada's system of government?

1. It is a republic, a direct democracy and a union of states
2. It is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
3. It is a monarchy, a dictatorship and a federation
4. It is a confederation, a presidential system and a two-party state

Answer: B — It is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy

There are three key facts about Canada's system of government: our country is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".

14. Who is Canada's head of government?

1. The Sovereign (Queen or King)
2. The Governor General
3. The Chief Justice
4. The Prime Minister

Answer: D — The Prime Minister

There is a clear distinction between the head of state — the Sovereign — and the head of government — the Prime Minister, who actually directs the governing of the country. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves — Constitutional monarchy".

15. Who represents the Sovereign in Canada?

1. The Governor General
2. The Prime Minister
3. The Speaker of the House
4. The Premier

Answer: A — The Governor General

The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years. In each province, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".

16. Which of the following is a responsibility of the federal government?

1. Education
2. National defence and foreign policy
3. Highways
4. Municipal government

Answer: B — National defence and foreign policy

The federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern: defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship. Provinces are responsible for education, health, highways and municipal government. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves — Federal state".

17. Which of the following are requirements to vote in a federal election?

1. Be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list
2. Own property and be at least 21 years old
3. Be born in Canada and speak English or French
4. Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years

Answer: A — Be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list

You are eligible to vote in a federal election if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list. The voters' lists are produced by Elections Canada from the National Register of Electors. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections — Voting".

18. How is the Member of Parliament (MP) for an electoral district chosen?

1. Appointed by the Governor General
2. Chosen by the Prime Minister
3. The candidate who receives the most votes in the electoral district becomes the MP
4. Selected by the Senate

Answer: C — The candidate who receives the most votes in the electoral district becomes the MP

The people in each electoral district vote for the candidate and political party of their choice. The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district. Canadian law also secures the right to a secret ballot. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections".

19. What is the presumption of innocence in the Canadian justice system?

1. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty
2. Only citizens can be found guilty of crimes
3. Judges decide guilt without a trial
4. The police decide who is guilty

Answer: A — Everyone is innocent until proven guilty

Canada's justice system is founded on the presumption of innocence in criminal matters, meaning everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Source: Discover Canada, "The Justice System".

20. What are the five regions of Canada?

1. The Maritimes, Ontario, Quebec, the North and the South
2. The Atlantic Provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the Northern Territories
3. The East, the West, the North, the South and the Centre
4. British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland

Answer: B — The Atlantic Provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the Northern Territories

Canada includes five distinct regions: the Atlantic Provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the Northern Territories. Canada is the second largest country on earth, bordered by three oceans. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's Regions".