20 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Full Practice Test. Free, no account needed.
Answer: C — Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, serving until age 75
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves — Parliamentary democracy".
Answer: A — The Lieutenant Governor
In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, normally for five years. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".
Answer: B — The Premier
In each province, the Premier has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister in the federal government, just as the Lieutenant Governor has a role similar to that of the Governor General. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".
Answer: D — The Commissioner
In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".
Answer: A — The Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches
The interplay between the three branches of government — the Executive, Legislative and Judicial — which work together but also sometimes in creative tension, helps to secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians. Source: Discover Canada, "How Canadians Govern Themselves".
Answer: C — The Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is our country's highest court — nine judges appointed by the Governor General. The Federal Court deals with matters concerning the federal government. Source: Discover Canada, "The Justice System — Courts".
Answer: B — They enforce federal laws throughout Canada, and serve as the provincial police everywhere except Ontario and Quebec
The RCMP enforce federal laws throughout Canada, and serve as the provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec (which have their own provincial police), as well as in some municipalities. Source: Discover Canada, "The Justice System — Police".
Answer: D — The Prime Minister chooses them; the Cabinet prepares the budget, proposes most new laws and runs the federal government departments
The Prime Minister chooses the ministers of the Crown, most from the House of Commons. Cabinet ministers run the federal government departments; the Cabinet prepares the budget and proposes most new laws, and its decisions can be questioned by all MPs. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections — After an election".
Answer: A — Municipal (local) government
Municipal governments usually have a council that passes laws called "by-laws" that affect only the local community. The council usually includes a mayor (or reeve) and councillors or aldermen. Source: Discover Canada, "Other levels of government in Canada".
Answer: B — The party in power is defeated, and the Prime Minister usually asks the Governor General to call an election
A vote on a major issue like the budget is a matter of confidence. If a majority of MPs vote against a major government decision, the party in power is defeated, which usually results in the Prime Minister asking the Governor General, on behalf of the Sovereign, to call an election. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections".
Answer: C — To establish equality of French and English in Parliament and the Government of Canada, and to support official language minority communities
The Official Languages Act (1969) has three main objectives: establish equality between French and English in Parliament, the Government of Canada and institutions subject to the Act; maintain and develop official language minority communities; and promote equality of French and English in Canadian society. Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — Canada's official languages".
Answer: B — Ice hockey (winter) and lacrosse (summer)
Ice hockey is Canada's most popular spectator sport and the national winter sport. Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Aboriginals, is the official summer sport. Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — Popular sports".
Answer: D — The beaver
The beaver was adopted centuries ago as a symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company. This industrious rodent can be seen on the five-cent coin and on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montreal and Toronto. Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — The beaver".
Answer: A — "A mari usque ad mare" — "from sea to sea"
After the First World War, Canada adopted an official coat of arms and a national motto, A mari usque ad mare, which in Latin means "from sea to sea." Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — Coat of arms and motto".
Answer: C — The highest honour available to Canadians, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy
The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour available to Canadians, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. It has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854. Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — The Victoria Cross".
Answer: B — The stock market crash of 1929
The stock market crash of 1929 led to the Great Depression or the "Dirty Thirties." Unemployment reached 27% in 1933, and farmers in Western Canada were hit hardest by low grain prices and a terrible drought. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Between the wars".
Answer: A — Sir Frederick Banting of Toronto and Charles Best
Sir Frederick Banting of Toronto and Charles Best discovered insulin, a hormone to treat diabetes that has saved 16 million lives worldwide. Source: Discover Canada, "Modern Canada — Great Canadian discoveries and inventions".
Answer: D — 1960
Aboriginal people were granted the vote in 1960. In 1948 Japanese-Canadians, the last group of Asian-Canadians denied the franchise, gained the right to vote. Today every citizen over the age of 18 may vote. Source: Discover Canada, "Modern Canada — A Changing Society".
Answer: B — An era of rapid change in Quebec in the 1960s
Quebec experienced an era of rapid change in the 1960s known as the Quiet Revolution. Many Quebecers sought to separate from Canada; sovereignty was defeated in referendums in 1980 and 1995. Source: Discover Canada, "Modern Canada — Canada and Quebec".
Answer: C — The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
When the Cold War began, Canada joined with other democratic countries of the West to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance, and with the United States in NORAD. Source: Discover Canada, "Modern Canada — International engagement".