Canadian Citizenship Test flashcards
128 flashcards with the answer and a short explanation on the back, grouped by official topic. Read the question, decide your answer, then open the card to check. Works without JavaScript and prints cleanly.
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Cover the answer, say it out loud, then open the card. Cards you get right twice in a row are the ones to stop reviewing; cards you miss go back to the start of the pile. The Canadian Citizenship Test asks 20 questions and the pass mark is 15 of 20 correct, so aim to know every card here, not just three quarters of them. Studying by topic is quickest: start with the largest topic below.
Jump to topic: Rights and ResponsibilitiesWho We AreCanada's HistoryHow Canadians Govern ThemselvesFederal ElectionsThe Justice SystemCanadian SymbolsCanada's Regions
Rights and Responsibilities 12 cards
In which year was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms added to the Constitution?
The Charter became part of the Constitution when it was patriated in 1982.
Which of these is a responsibility of Canadian citizens?
Other responsibilities include obeying the law, voting in elections and helping others in the community.
In which year was Magna Carta signed in England?
Discover Canada traces Canada's 800-year-old tradition of ordered liberty to the signing of Magna Carta, the Great Charter of Freedoms, in England in 1215.
Which document is also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms?
Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is also called the Great Charter of Freedoms and is the root of freedoms such as freedom of conscience, expression, peaceful assembly and association.
Which of these is one of the fundamental freedoms Canadians enjoy?
Canada's fundamental freedoms include freedom of conscience and religion; of thought, belief, opinion and expression; of peaceful assembly; and of association.
What right does habeas corpus protect?
Habeas corpus, the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state, comes to Canada from English common law.
The Charter begins by stating that Canada is founded on principles recognizing the supremacy of God and what else?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms opens with the words: Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.
Which Charter right allows Canadians to live and work anywhere in Canada?
Mobility rights let Canadians live and work anywhere they choose in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
Which responsibility are Canadian citizens legally required to carry out when called upon?
When called to do so, citizens are legally required to serve on a jury. Impartial juries made up of citizens are a vital part of the justice system.
What is Canada’s rule on compulsory military service?
There is no compulsory military service in Canada, but serving in the regular Canadian Forces or the reserves is described as a noble way to contribute.
Which country’s legal tradition gave Canada its civil code?
Canadian law has several sources, including laws passed by Parliament and the provinces, English common law, the civil code of France and the unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain.
Under Canadian law, what is the legal status of men and women?
In Canada, men and women are equal under the law. Canada's openness does not extend to barbaric cultural practices such as spousal abuse, honour killings or forced marriage.
Who We Are 13 cards
What is the capital of Canada?
Ottawa, in Ontario, was chosen as the capital by Queen Victoria in 1857.
What are Canada’s two official languages?
Federal government services are available in both official languages.
What are the three main groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada?
Indigenous peoples lived in what is now Canada for thousands of years before Europeans arrived.
Which phrase from the British North America Act of 1867 is a key principle of Canada’s constitution?
Peace, Order and Good Government is a key phrase in Canada's original constitutional document, the British North America Act of 1867.
Who are Canada’s three founding peoples?
Discover Canada describes Canadian society as built on three founding peoples: Aboriginal, French and British.
Which document of 1763 guaranteed territorial rights to Aboriginal peoples and set the basis for treaty negotiations?
Territorial rights were first guaranteed through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III, which established the basis for negotiating treaties with newcomers.
In which year did the Government of Canada formally apologize to former students of residential schools?
From the 1800s until the 1980s the federal government placed many Aboriginal children in residential schools. In 2008, Ottawa formally apologized to the former students.
What does the word Inuit mean in the Inuktitut language?
Inuit means the people in Inuktitut. The Inuit live in small, scattered communities across the Arctic.
What is the name of the dialect spoken by the Métis?
The Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, mostly in the Prairie provinces, who speak their own dialect, Michif.
In which decade did the term First Nations come into use?
The term Indian refers to Aboriginal people who are not Inuit or Métis. The term First Nations began to be used in the 1970s.
Roughly what share of First Nations people live on reserve land?
About half of First Nations people live on reserve land in about 600 communities, while the other half live off-reserve, mainly in urban centres.
The deportation of more than two-thirds of the Acadians between 1755 and 1763 is known as what?
During the war between Britain and France, more than two-thirds of the Acadians were deported from their homeland, an event known as the Great Upheaval.
From which part of the world have most immigrants to Canada come since the 1970s?
Since the 1970s, most immigrants have come from Asian countries. Chinese languages are the second most spoken at home in Vancouver and Toronto after English.
Canada's History 27 cards
In which year did Confederation take place?
The Dominion of Canada was created on 1 July 1867, now celebrated as Canada Day.
Who was the first explorer to map Canada’s Atlantic shore, in 1497?
European exploration began in earnest in 1497 with John Cabot, an Italian immigrant to England, who was the first to map Canada's Atlantic shore.
From which Iroquoian word did the name Canada come, and what did it mean?
Jacques Cartier heard two captured guides use the Iroquoian word kanata, meaning village. By the 1550s, the name Canada was appearing on maps.
In which year did Samuel de Champlain build a fortress at what is now Québec City?
In 1604 the first European settlement north of Florida was founded, and in 1608 Champlain built a fortress at what is now Québec City.
In which year did the British defeat the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham?
In 1759 the British defeated the French at the Plains of Abraham at Québec City, marking the end of France's empire in America. Both commanders, Wolfe and Montcalm, were killed.
What did the Quebec Act of 1774 do?
The Quebec Act of 1774 allowed religious freedom for Catholics, permitted them to hold public office, and restored French civil law while maintaining British criminal law.
The Constitutional Act of 1791 divided the Province of Quebec into which two colonies?
The Constitutional Act of 1791 created Upper Canada (later Ontario) and Lower Canada (later Quebec) and gave each an elected legislative assembly.
In which year was slavery abolished throughout the British Empire?
In 1807 the British Parliament prohibited the buying and selling of slaves, and in 1833 it abolished slavery throughout the Empire.
Which British commander captured Detroit in 1812 and was later killed at Queenston Heights?
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit in July 1812 but was killed while defending against an American attack at Queenston Heights, near Niagara Falls.
Laura Secord’s 30-kilometre walk in 1813 to warn of an American attack helped win which battle?
In 1813 Laura Secord walked 19 miles (30 km) to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of a planned American attack, contributing to the British victory at Beaver Dams.
Which colony was the first in British North America to attain full responsible government, in 1847-48?
Nova Scotia, where Joseph Howe campaigned for reform, became the first British North American colony to attain full responsible government in 1847-48.
Which four provinces formed the Dominion of Canada in 1867?
The Dominion of Canada was born on July 1, 1867, with four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Manitoba joined in 1870 and PEI in 1873.
Who suggested the term Dominion of Canada, inspired by Psalm 72?
Sir Leonard Tilley of New Brunswick suggested the term Dominion of Canada in 1864, inspired by Psalm 72's words about dominion from sea to sea.
In which year did Manitoba become a province, following the Red River uprising led by Louis Riel?
Louis Riel led an armed uprising at Red River in 1869-70. Ottawa sent soldiers to retake Fort Garry in 1870, and Manitoba became a province that year.
Who drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway on November 7, 1885?
The CPR, built with European and Chinese labour, was completed when Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, drove the last spike on November 7, 1885.
Which province joined Canada in 1871 after Ottawa promised to build a railway to the West Coast?
British Columbia joined Canada in 1871 after Ottawa promised to build a railway to the West Coast, a promise fulfilled with the CPR in 1885.
Who was Canada’s first French-Canadian prime minister?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier became the first French-Canadian prime minister and encouraged immigration to the West during the boom of the 1890s and early 1900s.
In which year did the Canadian Corps capture Vimy Ridge?
In April 1917 the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge, with 10,000 killed or wounded, earning a reputation as the shock troops of the British Empire. April 9 is Vimy Day.
Who wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in 1915?
Canadian medical officer John McCrae composed In Flanders Fields in 1915; the poem is recited on Remembrance Day each year.
Which province was the first to grant women the right to vote, in 1916?
Manitoba became the first province to grant women voting rights in 1916. Most Canadian women aged 21 and over received the federal vote in 1918.
Who became the first woman elected to the House of Commons, in 1921?
Agnes Macphail, a farmer and teacher, became the first woman MP in 1921. Dr. Emily Stowe had earlier founded the women's suffrage movement in Canada.
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, which beach did Canadian troops capture?
About 15,000 Canadian troops took part in the Normandy invasion on D-Day, capturing Juno Beach. Roughly one in ten Allied soldiers on D-Day was Canadian.
Which country did the Canadian Army liberate in 1944-45?
The Canadian Army liberated the Netherlands in 1944-45 and helped force the German surrender of May 8, 1945.
In which year did Parliament pass the Official Languages Act?
The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, established in 1963, led to the Official Languages Act of 1969, guaranteeing federal services in French and English.
What name is given to the period of rapid change in Quebec in the 1960s?
In the 1960s Quebec experienced an era of rapid change known as the Quiet Revolution, during which many Quebecers sought to separate from Canada.
What was the name of Terry Fox’s cross-country run to raise money for cancer research?
In 1980 Terry Fox, who had lost his right leg to cancer at 18, began the Marathon of Hope. He did not finish the run, but yearly fundraising events continue his legacy.
Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best are famous for discovering which medical treatment?
Sir Frederick Banting of Toronto and Charles Best discovered insulin, a hormone to treat diabetes that has saved 16 million lives worldwide.
How Canadians Govern Themselves 18 cards
What type of government does Canada have?
Canada's head of state is the Sovereign, and laws are made by an elected Parliament.
Who is Canada’s head of state?
The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada.
Who is the head of government in Canada?
The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons.
Which level of government is responsible for national defence and foreign policy?
The federal government is responsible for matters of national and international concern, including defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade, currency, criminal law and citizenship.
Which of these is a provincial responsibility under the Constitution Act, 1867?
Provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
Which two areas of responsibility are shared between the federal and provincial governments?
The federal and provincial governments share jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration.
What are the three parts of Parliament?
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (King or Queen), the Senate and the House of Commons. Provincial legislatures comprise the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly.
How are senators chosen?
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
What is the first stage a bill goes through in the House of Commons?
At First Reading the bill is considered read for the first time and is printed. It then goes to Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage, Third Reading, the Senate and Royal Assent.
At which stage of the law-making process is a bill studied clause by clause?
During the Committee Stage, committee members study the bill carefully, clause by clause. At Second Reading members debate the bill's principle.
Who grants royal assent to a bill after both Houses have passed it?
A bill can only become law once it has passed both the House of Commons and the Senate and received royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.
Who represents the Sovereign in each of the ten provinces?
In each province the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice, normally for five years.
Who represents the federal government in each of the three territories?
In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
For how long is the Governor General usually appointed?
The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
What is the head of a provincial government called?
In each province the Premier has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister in the federal government, while the Lieutenant Governor's role is similar to the Governor General's.
What are the three branches of government in Canada?
The three branches of government, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial, work together to help secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
What must the Cabinet do if it is defeated in a non-confidence vote?
Cabinet ministers are responsible to the elected representatives. They must retain the confidence of the House and have to resign if defeated in a non-confidence vote.
What was the British North America Act of 1867 later renamed?
The division of responsibilities between federal and provincial governments was defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.
Federal Elections 12 cards
Which part of Parliament is elected by voters?
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice.
What is the minimum age to vote in a federal election?
Canadian citizens aged 18 or older on election day can vote.
By law, on which day must a federal general election be held?
Federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election, although the Prime Minister may ask for an earlier election.
What is another name for a federal electoral district?
Canada is divided into electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies. Each is a geographical area represented by one member of Parliament.
Which neutral agency of Parliament is responsible for running federal elections?
Elections Canada is a neutral agency of Parliament that produces the voters' lists from the National Register of Electors and runs federal elections and referendums.
What is the permanent database of Canadians qualified to vote in federal elections called?
The National Register of Electors is a permanent database of Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums.
What does Elections Canada mail to each elector once an election has been called?
Once an election is called, Elections Canada mails a voter information card to each elector in the National Register, telling them when and where to vote.
How do you mark your ballot in a federal election?
Voters mark an X in the circle next to their chosen candidate, behind a screen so the vote is secret, then fold the ballot and hand it to the poll officials.
What is a majority government?
If the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons, this is a majority government. With fewer than half, it is a minority government.
What is the largest opposition party in the House of Commons called?
The opposition party with the most members is the Official Opposition, or His Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Its role is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.
After an election, who does the Governor General usually invite to form the government?
Ordinarily the Governor General invites the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons to form the government, and that leader becomes Prime Minister.
What does Canadian law guarantee about your vote?
Canadian law secures the right to a secret ballot. No one can watch you vote, and no one, including family, employers or union representatives, can require you to reveal your choice.
The Justice System 10 cards
What is the highest court in Canada?
The Supreme Court of Canada is the final court of appeal.
What is the name of Canada’s national police force?
The RCMP enforces federal laws throughout Canada and serves as provincial police in most provinces.
What principle do judicial decisions in Canadian criminal matters rest on?
Canada's justice system is founded on the presumption of innocence: everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
What does due process mean in Canada’s justice system?
Due process is the principle that the government must respect all of the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law.
Which court deals with matters concerning the federal government?
The Federal Court of Canada deals with matters concerning the federal government, while the Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country.
Which courts deal with lesser offences in Canada?
Provincial courts handle lesser offences. Most provinces also have an appeal court and a trial court, sometimes called the Court of Queen's Bench or the Supreme Court.
What type of cases do small claims courts hear?
There are also family courts, traffic courts and small claims courts, which deal with civil cases involving small sums of money.
Which two provinces have their own provincial police forces?
Ontario and Quebec have provincial police forces. The RCMP enforces federal laws across Canada and serves as the provincial police in all other provinces and territories.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, what is available in most Canadian communities?
Lawyers can help you with legal problems and act for you in court. If you cannot pay for a lawyer, in most communities there are legal aid services available free or at low cost.
What does the blindfolded figure of Lady Justice symbolize?
The blindfolded Lady Justice symbolizes the impartial manner in which laws are administered: blind to all considerations except the facts.
Canadian Symbols 16 cards
What is Canada’s national anthem?
O Canada became the official national anthem in 1980.
What symbol is in the centre of the Canadian flag?
The current flag was raised for the first time in 1965.
Which animal is an official symbol of Canada?
The beaver became an official symbol in 1975 because of its importance to the fur trade.
On which date is Remembrance Day observed?
Canadians remember those who served and died in war, often by wearing a poppy.
In which year was Canada’s current red and white maple leaf flag first raised?
The new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965. Its red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston.
In which year did red and white become Canada’s official national colours?
Red and white have been colours of France and England since the Middle Ages and became the national colours of Canada in 1921, assigned by King George V.
What is Canada’s national motto?
After the First World War Canada adopted an official coat of arms and the motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare, Latin for from sea to sea.
Which part of the original Parliament buildings survived the fire of 1916?
The Centre Block was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1916 and rebuilt in 1922. The Library is the only part of the original building remaining.
Which Governor General donated the Stanley Cup in 1892?
The Stanley Cup, donated by Governor General Lord Stanley in 1892, is played for by the National Hockey League. Lord Grey donated the Grey Cup for football in 1909.
What is Canada’s official summer sport?
Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Aboriginal peoples, is Canada's official summer sport. Hockey is the national winter sport.
On which Canadian coin does the beaver appear?
The beaver appears on the five-cent coin and on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as cities such as Montreal and Toronto.
In which year was the Order of Canada created?
Canada stopped using British honours and created its own system of orders, decorations and medals with the Order of Canada in 1967, the centennial of Confederation.
What is the highest honour available to Canadians?
The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour available to Canadians, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy. 96 Canadians have received it since 1854.
In which year was O Canada proclaimed Canada’s national anthem?
O Canada was first sung in Québec City in 1880 and proclaimed the national anthem in 1980. French and English Canadians sing different words.
When is Victoria Day celebrated?
Victoria Day, the Sovereign's birthday, is celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25.
What was July 1 called before it became known as Canada Day in 1982?
The Dominion of Canada was born on July 1, 1867. Until 1982 the anniversary was known as Dominion Day; today it is Canada Day.
Canada's Regions 20 cards
How many provinces and territories does Canada have?
The territories are Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Which is the only officially bilingual province?
New Brunswick has both English and French as official languages.
What is the capital of Ontario?
Ottawa is Canada's capital, but Toronto is the capital of Ontario.
What is the capital of British Columbia?
Victoria is on Vancouver Island.
What is the capital of Alberta?
Calgary is Alberta's largest city, but Edmonton is its capital.
What is the capital of Quebec?
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America.
Approximately how large is Canada’s land area?
Canada is the second largest country on earth, covering about 10 million square kilometres and bordered by the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
Who chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada in 1857?
Ottawa, on the Ottawa River, was chosen as the capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria. It is Canada's fourth largest metropolitan area.
Which province is known as the birthplace of Confederation?
Prince Edward Island, the smallest province, is the birthplace of Confederation and is linked to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge.
Which body of water in Nova Scotia has the highest tides in the world?
Nova Scotia, the most populous Atlantic province, is known for the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy and for Canada's largest east coast port at Halifax.
Which city is the second largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris?
Montreal is Canada's second largest city and the second largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris.
Which province is Canada’s largest producer of hydro-electricity?
Quebec, with resources from the Canadian Shield, is Canada's main producer of pulp and paper and its largest producer of hydro-electricity.
Which of the Great Lakes is the largest freshwater lake in the world?
The five Great Lakes lie between Ontario and the United States. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world.
Which province is nicknamed the breadbasket of the world and the wheat province?
Saskatchewan has 40% of Canada's arable land and is the country's largest producer of grains and oilseeds, as well as holding the world's richest deposits of uranium and potash.
What is the capital of Nunavut?
Iqaluit, formerly called Frobisher Bay after the explorer Martin Frobisher, is the capital of Nunavut. About 85% of the territory's population is Inuit.
What is the capital of Saskatchewan?
Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, is home to the RCMP training academy. Saskatoon, the largest city, is the headquarters of the mining industry.
What are the three main types of industry in Canada?
Canada's economy has three main types of industry: service industries, manufacturing industries and natural resources industries.
More than what proportion of working Canadians have jobs in service industries?
Service industries such as transportation, education, health care, banking, retail, tourism and government employ more than 75% of working Canadians.
Which country is Canada’s largest international trading partner?
Canada and the United States have the biggest bilateral trading relationship in the world, and more than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S.
In which year did free trade between Canada and the United States come into effect?
Canada enjoyed free trade with the United States from 1988. Mexico joined in 1994 through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
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