Citizenship Test: Questions
The questions in the citizenship test are based on information provided in this booklet. The test includes questions about
• the right to vote in elections in Canada;
• the right to run for elected office;
• voting procedures in Canada and how to register yourself as a voter;
• Canada’s main historical and geographical features;
• the rights and responsibilities of a citizen;
• the structure of Canadian government; and
• Confederation.
You should also be ready to answer more specific questions about your region’s economy, geography and history. Use the questions below to prepare for your test. All the answers to the questions in Section I can be found in this booklet.
Section II contains questions about your region. You will have to find the answers to these questions yourself.
Section I: Questions about Canada
Aboriginal Peoples
1. Who are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada? A : Aboriginal peoples of Canada were the first people to live in Canada .
2. What are the three main groups of Aboriginal peoples? A: First nations, Inuit, Metis.
3. From whom are the Métis descended? A : Many early French fur traders and some English traders married First Nations women. Their descendants are called the Metis people .
4. Which group of Aboriginal peoples make up more than half the population of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut? A : Fist Nation people .
5. Why are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada working toward self-government? A : They have gained greater control over their land and decision that affect them .
History (answers can be found in the sections on regions of Canada)
1. Where did the first European settlers in Canada come from? A : come from France .
2. Why did the early explorers first come to Atlantic Canada? A : come to Atlantic Canada to fish and trade with Aboriginal Peoples.
3. What three industries helped the early settlers build communities in the Atlantic region? A : farming , fishing and shipbuilding .
4. Who were the United Empire Loyalists? A : During and after the American Revolution (1775-1783) , thousands of people left the United States they became the known as United Empire Loyalists.
5. When did settlers from France first establish communities on the St. Lawrence River? A : Settlers from France first established the communities along the St. Lawrence River in the early 1600s.
6. Which trade spread across Canada, making it important to the economy for over 300 years? A : fur trade ( Page 27 ) .
7. What form of transportation did Aboriginal peoples and fur traders use to create trading networks in North America? A : bark canoes ( page 14 ) .
8. What important trade did the Hudson’s Bay Company control? A : fur trade ( page 27 ) .
9. What did the government do to make immigration to western Canada much easier? A : Canadian Pacific Railway .
Confederation/Government
1. What does Confederation mean? A : On July 1, 1867, the provinces we now know as Ontario , Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia joined together to create the new country of Canada. This is known as Confederation. Confederation was made official by the British North America Act of 1867 .
2. What is the Canadian Constitution? A : Canada’s Constitution is the system of laws and conventions that we Canadians use to govern ourselves .
3. What year was Confederation? A : 1867
4. When did the British North America Act come into effect? A : 1867 .
5. Why is the British North America Act important in Canadian history? A : the British North America Act made the Confederation official in 1867 .
6. Which four provinces first formed Confederation? A : Ontario , Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia .
7. Which was the last province to join Canada? A : Newfoundland in 1949 .
8. When is Canada Day and what does it celebrate? A : Each year on July 1, we celebrate Canada Day, the anniversary of Confederation .
9. Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada? A : Sir John A. Macdonald .
10. Why is the Constitution Act, 1982 important in Canadian history? A : The Constitution Act, 1982 gave the Parliament of Canada the power to change our Constitution .
Rights and Responsibilities
1. What part of the Constitution legally protects the basic rights and freedoms of all Canadians? A : Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.
2. When did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the Canadian Constitution? A : 1982
3. Name two fundamental freedoms protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A : Basic freedom right : Freedom of thought, speech, religion, and peaceful assembly .
4. Name three legal rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A : The rights to life , liberty and security of the person .
5. List three ways in which you can protect the environment. A : Throw waste paper or other garbage in designated public garbage containers ; Compost , recycle and re-use as many products as possible, such as paper, glass, and cans; Conserve energy and water by turning off lights and taps when they are not being used ; Walk , join a car pool, or use a bicycle or public transit whenever possible.
6. Who has the right to apply for a Canadian passport? A : Canadian citizen .
7. What does equality under the law mean? A : Every Canadian has the equal rights to the protection and services of the police and courts .
8. Name six responsibilities of citizenship. A : Vote in elections ; Help others in the community ; Care for and protect our heritage and environment ; Obey Canada’s laws ; Express opinions freely while respecting the rights and freedoms of others ; Eliminate discrimination and injustice .
9. Give an example of how you can show responsibility by participating in your community. A : Join a community group such as an environmental group; volunteer to work on an election campaign for a candidate of your choice; help your neighbours; work with others to solve problems in your community ; become a candidate in an election .
10. List four rights Canadian citizens have. A : To be candidates in federal, provincial, and territorial elections ; To be educated in either official language; To apply for a Canadian passport ; To vote in federal and provincial or territorial elections ; To enter and leave Canada freely .
11. What will you promise when you take the Oath of Citizenship? A : I swear ( or affirm ) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada , Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen .
Languages
1. What are the two official languages of Canada? A : English and French
2. Give an example of where English and French have equal status in Canada. A : Constitution is written in English and French , Both can be used in courts, …
3. Where do most French-speaking Canadians live? A : Quebec .
4. Which province has the most bilingual Canadians? A : Quebec .
5. Which province is the only officially bilingual province? A : New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada ( page 18 ).
Symbols
1. What does the Canadian flag look like? A : 1965 , Canada adopted its official red and white flags with the red maple leaf .
2. What song is Canada’s national anthem? A : O Canada . O Canada ! Our home and native land ! True patriot love in all thy sons command With glowing hearts we see thee rise The true North strong and free ! From far and wide , O Canada We stand on guard for thee God keep our land glorious and free ! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee O Canada , we stand on guard for thee
3. Give the first two lines of Canada’s national anthem. A : reference Q2
4. Where does the name “Canada” come from? A : In 1535, two Aboriginal youths used the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” which means “village” or “settlement”, to tell Jacques Cartier the way to Stadacona ( site of present day Quebec City). Cartier sued “Canada” to refer nto only to Stadacona, but also the entire area subject to Donnacona, Chief at Stadacona . By 1547 , word “Canada” to the area north of the St. Lawrence gulf and river, …. , At the time of Confederation , the new country took the name of Canada.
5. Which animal is an official symbol of Canada? A : The beaver is one of the symbols of Canada , It appears on the five-cent coin.
6. What is the tower in the centre of the Parliament buildings called? A : The Parliament buildings are in Ottawa, Ontario, The capital of Canada. The tower in the centre of the buildings is called the Peace Tower .
Geography
1. What is the population of Canada? A : about 31 million people .
2. What three oceans border on Canada? A : Three oceans line Canada’s borders : the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the east , and the Arctic Ocean to the north .
3. What is the capital city of Canada? A : Ottawa , Ontario .
4. Name all the provinces and territories and their capital cities. A : Newfoundland and Labrador ( St. John’s ), Prince Edward Island ( Charlottetown ), Nova Scotia ( Halifax ) , New Brunswick ( Fredericton ), Quebec ( Quebec ), Ontario ( Toronto ), Manitoba ( Winnipeg ), Saskatchewan ( Regina ), Alberta ( Edmonton ) , British Columbia ( Victoria ) , Nunavut ( Iqaluit ) , Northwest Territories ( Yellowknife ), Yukon Territory ( Whitehorse ) .
5. Name the five regions of Canada. A : the Atlantic Region, Central Canada , the Prairie Provinces , the West Coast , the North .
6. Which region covers more than one-third of Canada? A : the North ( Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory ) .
7. In which region do more than half the people in Canada live? A : Central Canada ( Quebec, Ontario ).
8. One-third of all Canadians live in which province? A : Ontario .
9. Where are the Canadian Rockies? A : British Columbia ( east side ) .
10. Where are the Great Lakes? A : between Canada and USA .
11. Which mountain range is on the border between Alberta and British Columbia? A : Rock Mountain.
12. Where are the Parliament buildings located? A : Ottawa, Ontario .
13. Which country borders Canada on the south? A : USA .
14. What are the Prairie provinces? A : Manitoba ( Winnipeg ), Saskatchewan ( Regina ), Alberta ( Edmonton ) ,
15. Which province in Canada is the smallest in land size? A : Prince Edward Island .
16. What is a major river in Quebec? A : St. Lawrence River.
17. On what date did Nunavut become a territory? A : April 1, 1999 .
Economy
1. What are the three main types of industries in Canada? A : Natural resources, manufacturing and services.
2. In what industry do most Canadians work? A : Service industries .
3. What country is Canada’s largest trading partner? A : USA .
4. Which region is known as the industrial and manufacturing heartland of Canada? A : Central Canada ( Ontario and Quebec ) ( page 20 ) .
5. Which region of Canada is known for both its fertile agricultural land and valuable energy resources? A : Prairie provinces ( Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta ) ( page 23 ).
Federal Government
1. Who is Canada’s Head of State? A : Queen Elizabeth II .
2. Who is the Queen’s representative in Canada? A : Governor General :
3. What is the name of the Governor General? A : Adrienne Clarkson .
4. What do you call the Queen’s representative in the provinces? A : Lieutenant Governor .
5. What is Canada’s system of government called? A : Parliamentary Government .
6. What are the three parts of Parliament? A : the Queen, the House of Commons and the Senate .
7. Explain how the levels of government are different. A : 1. different responsibilities : Federal government’s responsibilities are National Defence, Foreign Policy, Citizenship, Policing , … Provincial government’s responsibilities are Education, Health Care, Highways, Policing , … Municipal ( Local ) Government’s responsibilities are Policing, Firefighting, Snow Removal, Recycling Programs, …
8. What do you call a law before it is passed? A : Bill .
9. How are members of Parliament chosen? A : Elected by voters .
10. Who do members of Parliament represent? A : Represents every one who lives in his or her electoral district, even the people who did not vote or him or her .
11. How does a bill become law? A : To become law, a bill must be approved by majorities in both the House of Commons and the Senate. Once a majority of MPs and senators have approved a bill, the Governor General gives final approval and the bill becomes law .
12. What are the three levels of government in Canada? A : Federal government, Provincial Government, Municipal(local) government .
13. Name two responsibilities for each level of government. A : reference Q7
14. What is the government of all of Canada called? A : Federal government.
Federal Elections
1. How many electoral districts are there in Canada? A : 301
2. In what electoral district do you live? A : Scarborough – Agincourt , W39
3. Who has the right to vote in federal elections? A : Canadian Citizen .
4. What three requirements must you meet in order to vote in a federal election? A : a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old at voting day, on the voters list .
5. What is written on a federal election ballot? A : The names of the candidates in your electoral district in alphabetical order .
6. What do you mark on a federal election ballot? A : Mark an “X” .
7. How is the government formed after an election? A : After an election , the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power, The leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister . The Prime Minister and the party in power run the government as long as they have the support of the majority of the members of the House of Commons .
8. How is the Prime Minister chosen? A : The leader of the party that has most elected representatives becomes the Prime Minister .
9. When does an election have to be held according to the Constitution? A : According to Canada’s Constitution , an election must be held within five years, of the last election.
10. Name all the federal political parties in the House of Commons and their leaders. A : Liberal Party, Paul Martin ; Conservative Party , Stephen Harper ; Bloc Quebecois, Gilles Duceppe ; NDP ( New Democratic Party ) , Jack Layton .
11. Which party becomes the official opposition? A : The parties that are not in power are called the opposition parties. The opposition party with the most members of the House of Commons is the official opposition.
12. What is the role of the opposition parties? The role of the opposition parties is to oppose or try to improve government proposals.
13. Which party is the official opposition at the federal level? A : The opposition party with the most members of the House of Commons is the official party . Conservative and Progress Party .
14. Name the Prime Minister of Canada and his party. A : Paul Martin , Liberal Party .
15. Name your member of Parliament and the party he or she belongs to. A : Jim Karygiannis / Liberal Party .
16. What is a voter information card? A : The card tells you when and where to vote .
17. Who has the right to run as a candidate in federal elections? A : Canadian citizen who are at least 18 years old might run as a candidate in federal election.
18. Who do Canadians vote for in a federal election? A : In a federal election , Canadians vote for the member of the House of Commons .
19. What do political parties do? A : A political party is a group of people who share ideas about how the government should work .
20. Which federal political party is in power? A : After an election, the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power . Liberal Party .
21. How are senators chosen? A : The people who serve in the Senate are chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Governor General , They are called senators .
22. What should you do if you do not receive a voter information card telling you when and where to vote? A : Even if you choose not to be listed in the National
Register of Elector or do not receive a voter information card, you can still be added to the voters list right up to election day or call the Election Canada Office .
23. After a federal election, which party forms the new government? A : After an election , the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power .The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and the party in power run the government as long as they have the support of the majority of the members of the House of Commons. The Prime Minister chooses several members of the House of Commons to become Cabinet ministers. Cabinet minister are responsible for running the federal government departments.
Section II. Questions about your region
1. What is the capital city of the province or territory in which you live? A : Toronto
2. List three natural resources important to your region’s economy today. A : Rivers/Lakes ( freshwater, electricity ) , Minerals ( gold, silver, nickel, zinc, copper, iron ore, …) , forests ( pulp, paper) .
3. Who is your city councillor, alderperson, reeve or regional councillor? A : Mike Del Grande .
4. What is the name of your mayor? A : David Miller .
5. What is the name of your provincial representative (member of the Legislative Assembly, member of the provincial Parliament, member of the National Assembly or member of the House of Assembly)? A : Gerry Phillips / Liberal Party .
6. What is the name of the premier of your province or territory? A : Dalton McGuinty / Liberal Party .
7. Which political party is in power in your province or territory? A : Liberal Party .
8. What is the name of the leader of the opposition in your province? A : John Tory / Conservative Party .
9. What is the name of your lieutenant governor or commissioner? A : James Bartleman .
