Canadian Citizenship Test Questions & Answers

In what industry do most Canadians work?

Answer: Service.

Discover Canada notes most Canadians are employed in the service industry.

What are the three main types of industry in Canada?

Answer: Natural resources, manufacturing and services.

Discover Canada names the three main industry types as natural resources, manufacturing, and service industries.

What country is Canada’s largest trading partner?

Answer: United States of America.

The United States is Canada's largest trading partner per Discover Canada.

Which port is the largest and busiest in Canada?

Answer: The Port of Vancouver

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and busiest port per Discover Canada.

Which province is the main producer of pulp and paper and hydro-electricity?

Answer: Quebec

Discover Canada states Quebec is the largest producer of pulp and paper and hydroelectric power.

Which region is known as the industrial and manufacturing heartland of Canada?

Answer: Central Canada.

Discover Canada calls Central Canada the industrial and manufacturing heartland.

Which three countries are signatories to NAFTA?

Answer: Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Discover Canada identifies NAFTA's signatories as Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Why is trade with other countries important to Canada?

Answer: It enhances our economy and raises our standard of living.

Discover Canada emphasizes trade strengthens the economy and raises the standard of living.

What three industries are important to Ontario's economy today?

Answer: Mining, tourism, automobile manufacturing

Ontario's key industries per Discover Canada include mining (northern Ontario), tourism, and automobile manufacturing; fishing/farming options are not among its lead industries.

In 1670, King Charles II granted exclusive trading rights over the Hudson Bay watershed to which company?

Answer: The Hudson's Bay Company

In 1670 King Charles II granted the Hudson's Bay Company exclusive trading rights over the watershed draining into Hudson Bay.

What was the name for the severe economic downturn that began with the 1929 stock market crash, when unemployment reached 27%?

Answer: The Great Depression (the 'Dirty Thirties')

The 1929 stock market crash led to the Great Depression; unemployment reached 27% in 1933.

What is the role of the Bank of Canada, created in 1934?

Answer: It is Canada's central bank, managing the money supply

The Bank of Canada, created in 1934, is the central bank that manages the money supply and brings stability to the financial system.

Which province is Canada's largest producer of grains and oilseeds and holds the world's richest deposits of uranium and potash?

Answer: Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has 40% of Canada's arable land, is the largest producer of grains and oilseeds, and has the world's richest uranium and potash deposits.

Which province is the largest producer of oil and gas in Canada?

Answer: Alberta

Alberta is Canada's largest producer of oil and gas, with major oil sands in the north.

Which province has the most valuable forestry industry in Canada?

Answer: British Columbia

About half of the goods produced in B.C. are forestry products — the most valuable forestry industry in Canada.

According to Discover Canada, about what share of Canada's exports go to the United States?

Answer: About three-quarters

Over three-quarters of Canadian exports are destined for the U.S.A. — the biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world.

Canada has three territories and how many provinces?

Answer: 10

Canada has ten provinces and three territories per Discover Canada.

In which region do more than half the people in Canada live?

Answer: Central Canada.

Discover Canada notes more than half of Canadians live in Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec).

Name the five regions of Canada

Answer: Atlantic, Central, Prairie, West Coast, and North

Discover Canada identifies the five regions as the Atlantic, Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast, and the North.

On what date did Nunavut become a territory?

Answer: April 1st, 1999

Discover Canada states Nunavut was established as a territory on April 1, 1999.

One third of all Canadians live in which province?

Answer: Ontario.

About one-third of Canadians live in Ontario per Discover Canada.

What are the Prairie provinces and their capital cities?

Answer: Alberta (Edmonton), Saskatchewan (Regina) and Manitoba (Winnipeg).

The three Prairie provinces and their capitals per Discover Canada are Alberta/Edmonton, Saskatchewan/Regina, Manitoba/Winnipeg.

What are the provinces of Central Canada and their capital cities?

Answer: Ontario (Toronto) and Quebec (Quebec City).

Central Canada consists of Ontario (Toronto) and Quebec (Quebec City).

What are the provinces of the Atlantic region and their capital cities?

Answer: Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's), Nova Scotia (Halifax), New Brunswick (Fredericton) and Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown).

The four Atlantic provinces and their capitals per Discover Canada are exactly these; other options wrongly include Quebec/Ontario.

What are the territories of Northern Canada and their capital cities?

Answer: Yukon Territory (Whitehorse), Northwest Territories (Yellowknife), and Nunavut (Iqaluit).

The three northern territories and capitals are Yukon (Whitehorse), Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) and Nunavut (Iqaluit).

What is a major river in Quebec?

Answer: St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River is the major river of Quebec per Discover Canada.

What is the capital city of Canada?

Answer: Ottawa.

Discover Canada states Ottawa is the capital city of Canada.

What three oceans border Canada?

Answer: Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific.

Canada is bordered by the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans.

Where are the Great Lakes?

Answer: Between Ontario and the United States

The Great Lakes lie along the border between Ontario and the United States.

Where do most French-speaking Canadians live?

Answer: Quebec.

The majority of French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec.

Where does Canada rank in the world's largest countries?

Answer: Second

Discover Canada states Canada is the second largest country in the world by area.

Which country borders Canada on the south?

Answer: United States of America.

The United States borders Canada to the south.

Which province has its own time zone?

Answer: Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland has its own time zone (Newfoundland Standard Time) per Discover Canada.

Which province in Canada is the smallest in land size?

Answer: Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in land size per Discover Canada.

Which province is the only officially bilingual province?

Answer: New Brunswick.

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province.

Which region covers more than one-third of Canada?

Answer: Northern Territories.

The Northern territories cover more than one-third of Canada's landmass.

Which region of Canada is known for both its fertile agricultural land and valuable energy resources?

Answer: Prairie provinces.

The Prairie provinces are rich in both fertile farmland and energy resources per Discover Canada.

Who are the Quebecers?

Answer: People of Quebec.

Quebecers are the people of Quebec, with a French-speaking majority, per Discover Canada study materials.

What is the capital city of Ontario?

Answer: Toronto

Toronto is the capital city of Ontario per Discover Canada.

What is the largest city in Canada?

Answer: Toronto

The guide identifies Toronto as Canada's largest city and its main financial centre.

What is the Canadian Shield?

Answer: A large area of ancient rock covering about half of Canada, rich in minerals.

The Canadian Shield is a vast region of ancient rock covering roughly half the country and holding much of Canada’s mineral wealth.

Which is the largest freshwater lake in the world, lying between Ontario and the United States?

Answer: Lake Superior.

Discover Canada identifies Lake Superior, one of the five Great Lakes, as the largest freshwater lake in the world.

What is the highest mountain in Canada?

Answer: Mount Logan, in the Yukon.

Discover Canada states that Mount Logan, located in the Yukon, is the highest mountain in Canada.

Which province is known for the Bay of Fundy and the highest tides in the world?

Answer: Nova Scotia.

Discover Canada describes Nova Scotia as known for the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy.

What is the longest river in Canada?

Answer: The Mackenzie River.

Discover Canada states the Mackenzie River, at 4,200 km, is the second-longest river system in North America (after the Mississippi) and the longest in Canada.

Who chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada, in 1857?

Answer: Queen Victoria

Ottawa was chosen as the capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria.

Which is the second-largest mainly French-speaking city in the world, after Paris?

Answer: Montreal

Montreal is Canada's second-largest city and the second-largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris.

The Confederation Bridge links Prince Edward Island to which province?

Answer: New Brunswick

The nearly 13-km Confederation Bridge joins Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Which city is home to Canada's largest naval base and is a major Atlantic port?

Answer: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is Canada's largest east coast port (deep-water and ice-free) and home to Canada's largest naval base.

Which territorial capital is known as the 'diamond capital of North America'?

Answer: Yellowknife

Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories, is called the 'diamond capital of North America.'

What does the name 'Nunavut' mean in Inuktitut?

Answer: Our land

Nunavut means 'our land' in Inuktitut; about 85% of its population is Inuit.

Which province has the largest French-speaking population outside Quebec?

Answer: Ontario

Ontario has the largest French-speaking population outside Quebec.

A Member of Parliament from Montreal announces that she will spend her weekend in her electoral district. This means she would be:

Answer: In the part of Montreal where she was elected.

An MP's electoral district (riding) is the specific area where she was elected, per Discover Canada's description of how MPs are chosen.

After a federal election, which party forms the new government?

Answer: The party with the most elected representatives is invited by the Governor General to become the party in power.

Per Discover Canada, after an election the party with the most MPs is invited by the Governor General to form the government.

How are Members of Parliament chosen?

Answer: Elected by Canadian citizens.

Members of Parliament are elected by Canadian citizens in their electoral districts.

How are Senators chosen?

Answer: Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Discover Canada states Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

How does a bill become a law?

Answer: Approval by a majority in the House of Commons and Senate and finally the Governor General.

A bill must pass the House of Commons and Senate and receive Royal Assent from the Governor General.

How is a Cabinet Minister chosen?

Answer: By the Prime Minister

Discover Canada states Cabinet ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister.

How is the government formed after a federal election?

Answer: Ordinarily, the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.

Per Discover Canada, the party with the most seats forms government and its leader becomes Prime Minister.

How is the Prime Minister chosen?

Answer: The leader of the party with the most elected representatives becomes the Prime Minister.

Structural/static rule: the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons becomes PM; unchanged as of July 2026.

Name all the federal political parties in the House of Commons and their leaders

Answer: Liberal (Mark Carney), Conservative (Pierre Poilievre), Bloc Quebecois (Yves-Francois Blanchet), NDP (Avi Lewis), Green (Elizabeth May)

As of July 2026 the House leaders are Liberal (Mark Carney), Conservative (Pierre Poilievre), Bloc Quebecois (Yves-Francois Blanchet), NDP (Avi Lewis, elected March 2026), and Green (Elizabeth May); the interim-leader option is stale.

Name two responsibilities of the federal government.

Answer: National defence and foreign policy.

Discover Canada lists national defence and foreign policy among federal government responsibilities.

Name two responsibilities of the provincial and territorial government.

Answer: Health and Education

Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for areas such as health and education.

What are the three levels of government in Canada?

Answer: Federal, Provincial and Territorial, Municipal (local).

Discover Canada lists federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal as the three levels of government.

What are the three parts of Parliament?

Answer: The Sovereign, the House of Commons and the Senate.

Parliament consists of the Sovereign (Crown), the House of Commons and the Senate.

What do you call a law before it is passed?

Answer: A Bill.

Discover Canada explains a proposed law is called a bill before it is passed.

What do you call the Sovereign’s representative in the provinces?

Answer: Lieutenant-Governor.

The Sovereign is represented in each province by the Lieutenant-Governor.

What do you mark on a federal election ballot?

Answer: An x

Discover Canada instructs voters to mark an 'X' in the circle next to their chosen candidate.

What does it mean to say Canada is a constitutional monarchy?

Answer: Canada's Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King) who reigns in accordance with the Constitution.

Discover Canada defines constitutional monarchy this way.

What does the “right to a secret ballot” mean?

Answer: No one can watch your vote and no one should look at how you voted

The secret ballot means no one can watch you vote or see how you voted.

What does the term “responsible government” mean?

Answer: The ministers of the Crown must have the support of a majority of the elected representatives in order to govern.

Responsible government means the ministers of the Crown must retain the confidence (support) of a majority of elected representatives.

What is a majority government?

Answer: When the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons.

A majority government holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons per Discover Canada.

What is a voter information card?

Answer: A form that tells you when and where to vote.

The voter information card tells you when and where to vote.

What is Canada's system of government called?

Answer: Parliamentary government.

Canada's system of government is a parliamentary government (parliamentary democracy).

What is the difference between the role of the Sovereign and that of the Prime Minister?

Answer: The Sovereign is the guardian of Constitutional freedoms, the Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for operations and policy of government.

Static constitutional distinction between the Sovereign and the Prime Minister; unchanged as of July 2026.

What is the government of all of Canada called?

Answer: Federal.

The government of all of Canada is called the federal government.

What is the name of the Governor General?

Answer: Louise Arbour.

The Honourable Louise Arbour was installed as Canada's 31st Governor General on June 8, 2026, so the option 'Louise Arbour' is now the current correct answer.

What is the name of the Prime Minister of Canada and his/her party?

Answer: Mark Carney (Liberal Party).

Mark Carney of the Liberal Party is Prime Minister of Canada as of July 2026, leading a Liberal majority government.

What is the role of the Opposition parties?

Answer: To oppose or try to improve government proposals.

Static role of the opposition: to peacefully oppose or seek to improve government proposals; unchanged as of July 2026.

What should you do if you do not receive a voter information card telling you when and where to vote?

Answer: Call Elections Canada or visit their website.

If you do not receive a voter information card you should contact Elections Canada.

When asked, who must you tell how you voted in a federal election?

Answer: No one.

Voting is by secret ballot; Discover Canada states no one has the right to insist you tell them how you voted.

When must federal elections be held?

Answer: On the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election.

Fixed federal elections are held on the third Monday in October every four years after the last general election.

When you vote on election day, what do you do?

Answer: Go to the voting station with your voter's card and ID, mark an X next to your chosen candidate, fold the ballot and present it to the poll officials who will tear off the ballot number and give you the ballot to deposit in the box

This describes the correct federal voting procedure outlined in Discover Canada.

Where are the Parliament Buildings located?

Answer: Ottawa.

The Parliament Buildings are located in Ottawa per Discover Canada.

Which federal political party is in power?

Answer: Liberal Party.

The Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, is the governing federal party as of July 2026 (Liberal majority).

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Canada's system of government?

Answer: Dictatorship.

Canada is a federal state, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy; dictatorship is not a feature.

Which party becomes the Official Opposition?

Answer: The party with the second most MPs.

Static rule: the party with the second-largest number of seats forms the Official Opposition; unchanged as of July 2026.

Which party is the Official Opposition at the federal level?

Answer: The Conservative Party.

The Conservative Party is the federal Official Opposition as of July 2026, led by Pierre Poilievre.

Who do Canadians vote for in a federal election?

Answer: A candidate they want to represent them in Parliament.

In a federal election Canadians vote for a candidate to represent them in Parliament.

Who do Members of Parliament represent?

Answer: Everyone who lives in his or her electoral district.

Discover Canada states MPs represent everyone in their electoral district (riding).

Who has the right to run as a candidate in federal elections?

Answer: Any Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old.

Discover Canada states any Canadian citizen at least 18 years old can run as a candidate in federal elections.

Who has the right to vote in federal elections?

Answer: A Canadian citizen, 18 years or older, and on voters' list.

To vote federally you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18, and on the voters' list.

Who have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves?

Answer: Band chiefs and councillors.

Discover Canada states band chiefs and councillors have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves.

Who is Canada's Head of State?

Answer: His Majesty King Charles III.

The Sovereign (King Charles III) is Canada's Head of State.

Who is the Head of Government?

Answer: The Prime Minister

Discover Canada identifies the Prime Minister as the head of government (the Sovereign is head of state).

Who is the King's representative in Canada?

Answer: Governor General of Canada.

The Governor General is the Sovereign's representative in Canada at the federal level.

Who is the leader of the Federal Official Opposition Party?

Answer: Pierre Poilievre

Pierre Poilievre leads the Conservative Party, the federal Official Opposition, and was retained as leader at the party's 2026 convention.

What is the name of the leader of the Opposition in Ontario?

Answer: Marit Stiles

Marit Stiles (Ontario NDP) is Leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario as of July 2026, continuing after the 2025 provincial election.

What is the name of the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario?

Answer: Edith Dumont

Edith Dumont is Ontario's 30th Lieutenant Governor, in office since November 2023 and serving as of July 2026.

What is the name of the Premier of Ontario?

Answer: Premier Doug Ford

Doug Ford (Progressive Conservative) is Premier of Ontario as of July 2026, having won a third consecutive majority in February 2025.

Which political party is in power in Ontario?

Answer: Progressive Conservative Party

The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, led by Doug Ford, is the governing party in Ontario as of July 2026.

In a federal election, how is the winner in each electoral district (riding) decided?

Answer: The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP, even without a majority.

Canada uses a “first-past-the-post” system: in each riding the candidate with the most votes wins and becomes the Member of Parliament.

What is the purpose of federal “equalization” payments?

Answer: To help less wealthy provinces provide public services comparable to other provinces.

Equalization transfers federal funds to less prosperous provinces so all Canadians have access to reasonably comparable public services.

What are the three branches of Canadian government?

Answer: Executive, legislative and judicial.

Discover Canada describes the three branches of government as the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial, which work together but sometimes in creative tension.

Which phrase from the British North America Act (1867) sums up good governance in Canada?

Answer: Peace, Order and Good Government.

“Peace, Order and Good Government” is a key phrase from Canada’s 1867 constitutional document, the British North America Act, per Discover Canada.

Once appointed, until what age may a Senator serve?

Answer: 75

Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and may serve until age 75.

Local laws passed by a municipal (city or town) government are called what?

Answer: By-laws

A municipal council (a mayor or reeve and councillors/aldermen) passes local laws called by-laws.

Approximately how many Canadians served in the First World War?

Answer: More than 600,000.

Discover Canada states more than 600,000 Canadians served in the First World War.

From where does the name “Canada” come from?

Answer: From "Kanata", the Huron-Iroquois word for village.

Discover Canada states the name Canada comes from 'Kanata', the Huron-Iroquois word for village.

In the 1960s, Quebec experienced an era of rapid change. What is this called?

Answer: The Quiet Revolution.

Discover Canada names the era of rapid change in 1960s Quebec the 'Quiet Revolution'.

What are the three main groups of Aboriginal peoples?

Answer: First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

The three groups of Aboriginal peoples are First Nations, Métis and Inuit per Discover Canada.

What did the Canadian Pacific Railway symbolize?

Answer: Unity.

Discover Canada describes the completed Canadian Pacific Railway as a powerful symbol of national unity.

What did the Fathers of Confederation do?

Answer: They worked together to establish a new country, the Dominion of Canada

The Fathers of Confederation worked together to establish the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

What does Confederation mean?

Answer: Joining of provinces to make a new country.

Confederation refers to the joining of provinces/colonies to form the new country of Canada.

What does the word “Inuit” mean?

Answer: The people in Inuktitut

Discover Canada states Inuit means the people in the Inuktitut language.

What happened at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham?

Answer: The British defeated the French marking the end of France's empire in America

At the Plains of Abraham (1759) the British defeated the French, ending France's empire in America.

What is the "head tax"?

Answer: Race-based entry fee charged for Chinese entering Canada.

The head tax was a fee that Chinese immigrants had to pay to enter Canada per Discover Canada.

What is the highest military honour a Canadian can receive?

Answer: Victoria Cross.

The Victoria Cross is the highest military honour a Canadian can receive.

What is the significance of the discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best?

Answer: Insulin has saved 16 million lives worldwide.

Discover Canada states Banting and Best's discovery of insulin has saved 16 million lives worldwide.

What percentage of Aboriginal people are First Nations?

Answer: 65%.

Discover Canada / official study materials state about 65% of Aboriginal people are First Nations (over three-fifths).

What was the "Underground Railroad"?

Answer: An anti-slavery network that helped thousands of slaves escape the United States and settle in Canada

Discover Canada describes the Underground Railroad as an anti-slavery network that brought escaped slaves to Canada.

What was the significance of June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy?

Answer: Canadians made a significant contribution to the defeat of Nazism and Fascism in Europe during the Second World War.

The D-Day landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944 marked a significant Canadian contribution to defeating Nazism in WWII.

What was the Women's Suffrage Movement?

Answer: The effort by women to achieve the right to vote.

Discover Canada describes the women's suffrage movement as the effort to achieve the right to vote for women.

What year did Newfoundland and Labrador join Canada?

Answer: 1949

Discover Canada states Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada in 1949.

What year was Confederation?

Answer: 1867.

Confederation occurred in 1867 per Discover Canada.

When did the British North America Act come into effect?

Answer: 1867.

The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867.

Which Act granted, for the first time in Canada, legislative assemblies elected by the people?

Answer: The Constitutional Act of 1791.

The Constitutional Act of 1791 first granted legislative assemblies elected by the people.

Which of the following sentences best describes the War of 1812?

Answer: The USA invaded Canada and was defeated, which ensured that Canada would remain independent of the United States.

In the War of 1812 the U.S. invasion was repelled, ensuring Canada would remain independent of the United States.

Which of the following statements about residential schools is NOT true?

Answer: The schools were welcomed by the Aboriginal people.

This is the false statement; Discover Canada describes residential schools as harmful and later formally apologized for, not welcomed.

Which province was split into two at Confederation?

Answer: The Province of Canada

At Confederation the Province of Canada was divided into Ontario and Quebec per Discover Canada.

Which province was the first to grant voting rights to women?

Answer: Manitoba

In 1916 Manitoba became the first province to grant women the right to vote.

Which was the last province to join Canada?

Answer: Newfoundland.

Newfoundland (and Labrador) was the last province to join Canada, in 1949.

Who are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada?

Answer: The first people to live in Canada

Discover Canada describes Aboriginal peoples as the original inhabitants, the first people to live in Canada.

Who are the Acadians?

Answer: The descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604.

Acadians are descendants of French colonists who settled the Maritimes starting in 1604.

Who are the founding peoples of Canada?

Answer: Aboriginal, French and British.

Discover Canada names the Aboriginal, French, and British peoples as the three founding peoples of Canada.

Who are the Métis?

Answer: A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry.

Discover Canada defines the Métis as a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry; option describing 'mixed Inuit/First Nations ancestry' is incorrect.

Who had played an important part in building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)?

Answer: Chinese railroad workers.

Chinese labourers played a major role in building the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Who is considered the father of Manitoba?

Answer: Louis Riel

Discover Canada describes Louis Riel as the founder/father of Manitoba.

Who is General Sir Arthur Currie?

Answer: Canada's greatest soldier in the First World War.

Sir Arthur Currie is described as Canada's greatest soldier of the First World War in Discover Canada.

Who led an armed uprising and seized Fort Garry?

Answer: Louis Riel

Louis Riel led the Métis uprising and seized Fort Garry per Discover Canada.

Who led Quebec into Confederation?

Answer: Sir George-Étienne Cartier

Sir George-Étienne Cartier led Quebec into Confederation per Discover Canada.

Who was Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine?

Answer: A champion of democracy and French language rights and the first leader of a responsible government in the Canadas.

Discover Canada describes La Fontaine as a champion of democracy and French-language rights and the first head of a responsible government in the Canadas.

Who was Sir Sam Steele?

Answer: A great frontier hero, Mounted Policeman and soldier.

Discover Canada describes Sir Sam Steele as a great frontier hero, Mounted Policeman and soldier.

Who was the first leader of a responsible government in the Canadas in 1849?

Answer: Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine.

Discover Canada names Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine as the first head of a responsible government in the Canadas in 1849.

Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada?

Answer: Sir John A. Macdonald.

Static historical fact: Sir John A. Macdonald was Canada's first Prime Minister (1867).

Who were the United Empire Loyalists?

Answer: Settlers who came to Canada from the United States during the American Revolution.

United Empire Loyalists were settlers loyal to the Crown who fled the U.S. during the American Revolution.

Who were the Voyagers?

Answer: Montreal-based traders who travelled by canoe

Discover Canada describes the voyageurs as Montreal-based fur traders who travelled by canoe.

Why is the battle of Vimy Ridge important?

Answer: Canadian Corps secured its reputation for valour and bravery.

At Vimy Ridge (1917) the Canadian Corps captured the ridge and secured its reputation for bravery, a defining national moment.

Who founded Quebec City in 1608 and is known as the "Father of New France"?

Answer: Samuel de Champlain

The guide states Samuel de Champlain built a fortress at what is now Quebec City in 1608 and is called the Father of New France.

Which French explorer sailed up the St. Lawrence River in 1534 and claimed the land for France?

Answer: Jacques Cartier

Discover Canada credits Jacques Cartier with making three voyages beginning in 1534 and claiming the land for France.

Who was the first French-Canadian prime minister of Canada since Confederation?

Answer: Sir Wilfrid Laurier

The guide notes Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French-Canadian prime minister since Confederation and encouraged immigration to the West.

Which Canadian, after losing a leg to cancer, ran the "Marathon of Hope" to raise money for cancer research?

Answer: Terry Fox

Discover Canada highlights Terry Fox, who ran his Marathon of Hope in 1980 to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

Which future prime minister won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for helping create the first United Nations peacekeeping force?

Answer: Lester B. Pearson

The guide credits Lester B. Pearson with winning the Nobel Peace Prize for proposing the UN peacekeeping force during the Suez Crisis.

Which international military alliance did Canada help found in 1949?

Answer: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

The guide notes Canada was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949.

In the 1929 “Persons Case,” what did the courts decide?

Answer: That women were legally “persons” who could be appointed to the Senate.

In 1929 the “Famous Five,” led by Emily Murphy, won the Persons Case, so women were recognized as “persons” eligible for appointment to the Senate.

Who was the first woman elected to the House of Commons (in 1921)?

Answer: Agnes Macphail.

Agnes Macphail became the first woman Member of Parliament in 1921, the first federal election in which most women could vote.

What did the Quebec Act of 1774 do?

Answer: It accommodated the French by restoring French civil law and allowing religious freedom for Catholics.

The Quebec Act of 1774 allowed religious freedom for Catholics and restored French civil law, accommodating the French-speaking population.

The Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s led to the creation of which territory?

Answer: The Yukon.

The Gold Rush of the 1890s brought thousands to the Klondike region and led to the creation of the Yukon Territory in 1898.

What did the Statute of Westminster (1931) grant Canada?

Answer: The legal freedom to make its own laws and control its own foreign affairs.

The Statute of Westminster, 1931, gave Canada legal autonomy over its domestic and foreign affairs, though the constitution remained in Britain until 1982.

What was Canada’s role in the Korean War (1950–53)?

Answer: It sent more than 26,000 troops as part of a United Nations force to defend South Korea.

More than 26,000 Canadians served in the Korean War (1950–53) as part of a UN force defending South Korea; 516 died.

Aboriginal and treaty rights were first guaranteed by which document?

Answer: The Royal Proclamation of 1763.

Discover Canada states that Aboriginal territorial rights were first guaranteed through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III, establishing the basis for treaties.

Who wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”?

Answer: Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

Discover Canada notes that Canadian medical officer Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae composed “In Flanders Fields” in 1915; it is often recited on Remembrance Day.

In 1497, who was the first European to explore and map Canada’s Atlantic coast for England?

Answer: John Cabot.

Discover Canada credits John Cabot, an Italian immigrant to England, as the first to draw a map of Canada’s East Coast, in 1497.

According to Discover Canada, from where are the ancestors of Canada's Aboriginal peoples believed to have migrated?

Answer: Asia

Discover Canada states the ancestors of Aboriginal peoples migrated from Asia many thousands of years ago.

According to Discover Canada, about what percentage of Aboriginal Canadians are Inuit?

Answer: 4%

The guide states about 65% of Aboriginal people are First Nations, 30% are Métis and 4% are Inuit.

What is the name of the distinct dialect traditionally spoken by the Métis?

Answer: Michif

The Métis come from mixed French- and English-speaking backgrounds and speak their own dialect, Michif.

Where did French explorers Pierre de Monts and Samuel de Champlain establish the first European settlement north of Florida in 1604?

Answer: Port-Royal, in Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia)

In 1604 the first European settlement north of Florida was established, first on St. Croix Island and then at Port-Royal in Acadia.

The remains of which Viking settlement in Newfoundland are a UNESCO World Heritage site, marking the first Europeans to reach Canada?

Answer: L'Anse aux Meadows

Vikings from Iceland reached Labrador and Newfoundland about 1,000 years ago; their settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows is a World Heritage site.

In 1793, Upper Canada (led by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe) became the first province in the British Empire to do what?

Answer: Move to abolish slavery

Under John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada became the first province in the British Empire to move toward abolishing slavery, in 1793.

Which British commander captured Detroit during the War of 1812 but was killed defending against the American attack at Queenston Heights?

Answer: Sir Isaac Brock

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit but was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights, near Niagara Falls.

Which Shawnee chief led First Nations warriors who helped defend Canada during the War of 1812?

Answer: Tecumseh

Canadian volunteers and First Nations, including the Shawnee led by Chief Tecumseh, supported British soldiers in the War of 1812.

Who made a dangerous journey on foot in 1813 to warn of an American attack, contributing to victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams?

Answer: Laura Secord

Laura Secord walked 30 km to warn Lt. James FitzGibbon of a planned American attack, helping secure victory at Beaver Dams in 1813.

Where was the first representative assembly in Canada elected, in 1758?

Answer: Halifax, Nova Scotia

The first representative assembly was elected in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1758.

Which was the first colony in the British Empire to attain full responsible government, in 1847–48?

Answer: Nova Scotia

Discover Canada notes Nova Scotia was the first British North American colony to attain full responsible government, in 1847–48.

Which Father of Confederation suggested the title 'Dominion of Canada,' inspired by a passage in the Bible?

Answer: Sir Leonard Tilley

Sir Leonard Tilley of New Brunswick suggested 'Dominion of Canada,' inspired by Psalm 72 ('dominion from sea to sea').

Who drove the last spike, completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885?

Answer: Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona)

On November 7, 1885, Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona), a director of the CPR, drove the last spike.

Who was the first Canadian woman to practise medicine in Canada and a founder of the women's suffrage movement?

Answer: Dr. Emily Stowe

Dr. Emily Stowe was the first Canadian woman to practise medicine in Canada and founded the country's women's suffrage movement.

During the Second World War, what happened to many Canadians of Japanese origin (for which Canada apologized and compensated victims in 1988)?

Answer: They were forcibly relocated and their property sold without compensation

Japanese Canadians were forcibly relocated and their property sold without compensation; the government apologized and compensated victims in 1988.

At the end of the Second World War, Canada had one of the world's largest navies. Where did it rank?

Answer: Third-largest in the world

By the end of the Second World War Canada had the third-largest navy in the world.

What did the House of Commons recognize about the Québécois in 2006?

Answer: That they form a nation within a united Canada

In 2006 the House of Commons recognized that the Québécois form a nation within a united Canada.

In which two years did Quebec hold referendums on sovereignty, both of which were defeated?

Answer: 1980 and 1995

The Quebec sovereignty movement was defeated in referendums in 1980 and again in 1995.

In what year did Aboriginal peoples receive the unconditional right to vote in federal elections?

Answer: 1960

Aboriginal peoples were granted the right to vote in federal elections in 1960.

During the Cold War, Canada joined the United States in which joint air-defence command?

Answer: NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command)

Canada joined the United States in the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) during the Cold War.

Who invented the telephone while living in Canada (at Brantford, Ontario)?

Answer: Alexander Graham Bell

Discover Canada credits Alexander Graham Bell, who lived in Canada, with inventing the telephone.

Which province is known as the 'Birthplace of Confederation'?

Answer: Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island, site of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference, is the birthplace of Confederation.

In Canada, are you allowed to question the police about their service or conduct?

Answer: Yes, if you feel the need to.

Discover Canada says you are free to question police about their service or conduct if you feel the need to.

In Canada’s justice system what does “presumption of innocence” mean?

Answer: Everyone is innocent until proven guilty

Presumption of innocence means a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty per Discover Canada.

What is the highest court in Canada?

Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada

Discover Canada identifies the Supreme Court of Canada as the highest court.

What is the role of the courts in Canada?

Answer: To settle disputes.

The role of the courts is to settle disputes per Discover Canada.

In Canadian law, what is meant by "habeas corpus"?

Answer: The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state

Discover Canada describes habeas corpus, from English common law, as the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state.

In which two provinces does the RCMP NOT serve as the provincial police force?

Answer: Ontario and Quebec

The RCMP is the federal police and serves as the provincial police everywhere except Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial forces.

What was the name of the police force, established in 1873, that became today's Royal Canadian Mounted Police?

Answer: The North West Mounted Police

Prime Minister Macdonald established the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1873; it became the RCMP.

In which city is the RCMP's training academy located?

Answer: Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, is home to the RCMP training academy.

Fatima is a new immigrant in Canada. What law allows her to take a job at par with a man?

Answer: Equality of women and men

Discover Canada lists 'equality of women and men' as a fundamental Canadian value ensuring women can work on equal terms with men.

Give an example of how you can show responsibility by participating in your community.

Answer: Volunteer.

Discover Canada lists volunteering as a way to show responsibility and participate in the community.

Give an example of where English and French have equal status in Canada.

Answer: In the Parliament of Canada.

English and French have equal status in Parliament, federal courts and federal institutions per Discover Canada.

Name six responsibilities of citizenship.

Answer: Obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, helping others in the community, voting in elections, serving on a jury, protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment.

These are the six responsibilities of citizenship listed in Discover Canada.

Name three additional rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Answer: Mobility rights, Multiculturalism, and Aboriginal Peoples' rights.

The Charter protects mobility rights, Aboriginal peoples' rights and multiculturalism among additional rights listed in Discover Canada.

Name two fundamental freedoms protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Answer: Freedom of conscience and religion, and Freedom of association.

Both are among the fundamental freedoms listed in the Charter per Discover Canada.

Name two key documents that contain our rights and freedoms.

Answer: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Magna Carta (the Great Charter of Freedoms).

Discover Canada cites the Charter and the Magna Carta as key documents of rights and freedoms.

What are some examples of taking responsibility for yourself and your family?

Answer: Getting a job, taking care of one's family and working hard in keeping with one's abilities.

Discover Canada lists getting a job, providing for one's family and working hard as responsibilities of citizenship.

What is meant by the equality of women and men?

Answer: Men and women are equal under the law.

Discover Canada states equality of women and men means they are equal under the law.

What part of the Constitution legally protects the basic rights and freedoms of all Canadians?

Answer: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Constitution protects Canadians' basic rights and freedoms.

What will you promise when you take the Oath of Citizenship?

Answer: Pledge allegiance to the King, observe the laws of Canada and fulfil the duties of a Canadian.

The Oath of Citizenship includes pledging allegiance to the Sovereign, observing Canada's laws and fulfilling one's duties as a citizen.

When did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the Canadian Constitution?

Answer: 1982.

Discover Canada states the Charter became part of the Constitution in 1982.

Canada’s openness and generosity do NOT extend to which of the following?

Answer: Barbaric cultural practices such as spousal abuse, “honour killings,” or forced marriage.

Discover Canada states that Canada does not tolerate barbaric cultural practices such as spousal abuse, “honour killings,” female genital mutilation, or forced marriage; those responsible are severely punished.

Which of the following is a responsibility of citizenship rather than a right?

Answer: Serving on a jury when asked.

Discover Canada lists serving on a jury as a responsibility of citizenship, along with obeying the law, voting, helping others in the community, and protecting the environment.

Canada's tradition of ordered liberty traces back to which 1215 English document, also called the Great Charter of Freedoms?

Answer: Magna Carta

Discover Canada dates Canada's 800-year tradition of ordered liberty to the Magna Carta (the Great Charter of Freedoms), signed in England in 1215.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms begins by stating that Canada is founded upon principles that recognize what?

Answer: The supremacy of God and the rule of law

The Charter begins: 'Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.'

The Official Languages Act (1969) guarantees what?

Answer: French and English services in the federal government

The Official Languages Act (1969) guarantees French and English services in the federal government across Canada.

Adult citizenship applicants of what age and over do not have to meet the language requirement or write the citizenship test?

Answer: 55 and over

Applicants aged 18–54 must have adequate knowledge of English or French and write the test; those 55 and over are exempt.

Which statement about military service in Canada is correct?

Answer: There is no compulsory military service; serving in the Canadian Forces is voluntary

There is no compulsory military service in Canada; serving in the Canadian Forces (navy, army, air force) is voluntary.

Give the first line of Canada’s national anthem?

Answer: O Canada! Our home and native land!

The national anthem 'O Canada' opens with 'O Canada! Our home and native land!' per Discover Canada.

The Canadian Coat of Arms and motto is “A Mari Usque Ad Mare.” This means:

Answer: From sea to sea.

Discover Canada translates 'A Mari Usque Ad Mare' as 'from sea to sea'.

What are the two official languages of Canada?

Answer: English and French.

Discover Canada states English and French are Canada's two official languages.

What does the Canadian flag look like?

Answer: White with a red border on each end and a red maple leaf in the centre.

The National Flag of Canada is white with red borders and a single red maple leaf in the centre per Discover Canada.

What is a Francophone?

Answer: A person who speaks French as their first language

Discover Canada defines a Francophone as a person whose first language is French.

What is Canada’s national winter sport?

Answer: Hockey.

Discover Canada names hockey Canada's national winter sport (lacrosse is the summer sport).

What is the largest religious affiliation in Canada?

Answer: Catholic.

Discover Canada notes the majority of Canadians identify as Christian, with Roman Catholics the largest religious affiliation.

What is the meaning of the Remembrance Day poppy?

Answer: To remember the sacrifice of Canadians who have served or died in wars up to the present day.

The Remembrance Day poppy honours the sacrifice of Canadians who served or died in wars up to today.

What is the name of the Royal Anthem of Canada?

Answer: God Save the Queen (or King).

Discover Canada names God Save the Queen (King) as the Royal Anthem of Canada.

What song is Canada's national anthem?

Answer: O Canada.

'O Canada' is Canada's national anthem per Discover Canada ('God Save the King/Queen' is the royal anthem).

When is Canada Day and what does it celebrate?

Answer: We celebrate the anniversary of Confederation July 1st of each year.

Canada Day is July 1, celebrating the anniversary of Confederation.

When is Remembrance Day celebrated?

Answer: November 11th.

Discover Canada states Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th.

Which animal is an official symbol of Canada?

Answer: The beaver.

The beaver is an official emblem/symbol of Canada per Discover Canada.

Which provincial flag features the fleur-de-lys?

Answer: Quebec

Quebec's provincial flag (the Fleurdelisé) features the fleur-de-lys per Discover Canada.

What is Canada's national summer sport?

Answer: Lacrosse

Discover Canada names lacrosse as the national summer sport and hockey as the national winter sport.

In what year was the current red-and-white maple leaf flag of Canada first raised?

Answer: 1965

Discover Canada states the maple leaf flag was raised for the first time in 1965.

What does Victoria Day celebrate?

Answer: Queen Victoria and the official birthday of the reigning Sovereign

Discover Canada explains Victoria Day honours Queen Victoria and is celebrated as the official birthday of the reigning Sovereign.

In what year did "O Canada" become the official national anthem of Canada?

Answer: 1980

The guide notes O Canada was proclaimed the official national anthem in 1980, though first sung in 1880.

The CN Tower, one of Canada’s most famous landmarks, is located in which city?

Answer: Toronto.

The CN Tower in Toronto is a famous Canadian landmark and one of the world’s tallest freestanding structures.

The “Group of Seven” were famous Canadian pioneers in which field?

Answer: Landscape painting.

Discover Canada notes the Group of Seven, founded in 1920, developed a distinctive style of landscape painting capturing Canada’s rugged wilderness.

Basketball was invented in 1891 by which Canadian?

Answer: James Naismith

Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith in 1891.

In 1967, the centennial of Confederation, Canada created its own honours system with which award?

Answer: The Order of Canada

Canada started its own honours system with the Order of Canada in 1967, the centennial of Confederation.

Where and when was 'O Canada' first sung?

Answer: Quebec City, in 1880

'O Canada' was first sung in Quebec City in 1880; it became the official national anthem in 1980.

Who donated the Stanley Cup, hockey's championship trophy, in 1892?

Answer: Lord Stanley, the Governor General

The Stanley Cup, the NHL championship trophy, was donated by Lord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892.

According to Discover Canada, what is the second most popular sport in Canada (after hockey)?

Answer: Canadian football

Discover Canada names Canadian football as the second most popular sport in Canada.

Which flag served as Canada's national flag for about 100 years before the maple leaf flag was adopted in 1965?

Answer: The Canadian Red Ensign

The Canadian Red Ensign served as Canada's flag for about 100 years before the maple leaf flag.

The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill was built in memory of what?

Answer: Canadians who died in the First World War

The Peace Tower (completed 1927) was built in memory of the First World War; its Memorial Chamber holds the Books of Remembrance.