Every term, defined

Canadian Citizenship Test glossary

166 terms from Discover Canada, each linked back to the chapter it comes from.

A

Aboriginal and treaty rights: Aboriginal and treaty rights are in the Canadian Constitution; Aboriginal peoples
Aboriginal languages and cultural practices: Aboriginal languages and cultural practices were mostly prohibited in residential schools; Aboriginal peoples
Aboriginal peoples: Aboriginal peoples were well established in Canada long before explorers from Europe first came to North America; Aboriginal peoples
About 65% of Aboriginal people: About 65% of Aboriginal people are First Nations, 30% are Métis and 4% are Inuit; First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Acadians: The Acadians are the descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604; English, French and the Acadians
Alberta: Alberta is the most populous Prairie province; The Prairie Provinces
Ancestors of Aboriginal peoples: The ancestors of Aboriginal peoples are believed to have migrated from Asia many thousands of years ago; Aboriginal peoples
Anne of Green Gables: Anne of Green Gables was set in Prince Edward Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery; The Atlantic Provinces
April 9: April 9 is celebrated as Vimy Day; The First World War
Atlantic Provinces: The Atlantic Provinces are Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; The Atlantic Provinces

B

Ballot number: The ballot number is torn off by the poll official, who hands the ballot back for you to put in the box; Voting procedures
Basketball: Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith in 1891; Canadian achievements and inventions
Beaver: The beaver was adopted centuries ago as the symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company; Other Canadian symbols
British Columbia: British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, on the Pacific coast; The West Coast
By-laws: By-laws are what a municipal council passes, and they bind only the local community; Provincial, territorial and municipal government

C

Cabinet ministers: Cabinet ministers are responsible for running the federal government departments; The Cabinet and confidence
Canada: Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America; Canada’s three founding peoples
Canada Day: Canada Day is July 1; National holidays and important dates
Canada-United States border: The Canada-United States border is traditionally known as the world's longest undefended border; Canada’s economy
Canada's largest international trading partner: Canada's largest international trading partner is the United States; Canada’s economy
Canada's laws: Canada's laws are intended to provide order in society, offer a peaceful way to settle disputes, and express the values and beliefs of Canadians; The justice system
Canada's national motto: Canada's national motto is A mari usque ad mare, which in Latin means from sea to sea; Other Canadian symbols
Canada's system of government: Canada's system of government is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy; Three facts about Canada’s system of government
Canada's three founding peoples: Canada's three founding peoples are Aboriginal, French and British; Canada’s three founding peoples
Canadian football: Canadian football is the second most popular sport in Canada; Official languages and popular sports
Canadian Pacific Railway: The Canadian Pacific Railway was a powerful symbol of unity; The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth
Canadian Rangers: The Canadian Rangers are part of the Canadian Forces Reserves and play a key role in Canada's North; The Northern Territories
Central Canada: Central Canada is made up of Quebec and Ontario; Central Canada
Centre Block: The Centre Block was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1916 and rebuilt in 1922; Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours
Charlottetown: Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island; The Atlantic Provinces
Chinese and Punjabi: Chinese and Punjabi are the most spoken languages in British Columbia's cities after English; The West Coast
Christmas Day: Christmas Day is December 25 and Boxing Day is December 26; National holidays and important dates
Constitution of Canada: The Constitution of Canada was amended in 1982 to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Crown: The Crown is a symbol of government, including Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, police services and the Canadian Forces; Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign
Curling: Curling was introduced by Scottish pioneers and is popular in Canada; Official languages and popular sports

D

Deportation of the Acadians: The deportation of the Acadians is known as the Great Upheaval; English, French and the Acadians
Dominion of Canada: The Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867; Confederation
Dr. Wilder Penfield: Dr. Wilder Penfield was a pioneering brain surgeon at McGill University and was known as the greatest living Canadian; Canadian achievements and inventions
Due process: Due process is the principle that the government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law; The justice system

E

Easter Monday: Easter Monday is the Monday immediately following Easter Sunday; National holidays and important dates
Edmonton: Edmonton is the capital of Alberta; The Prairie Provinces
Elected representatives: Elected representatives are responsible for passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable; The Cabinet and confidence
Elections Canada: Elections Canada is a neutral agency of Parliament; Who can vote, and the secret ballot
Electoral district: An electoral district is also known as a riding or a constituency; Federal elections
English and French: English and French are the official languages of Canada; English, French and the Acadians

F

Federal government: The federal government is required by law to provide services throughout Canada in English and French; English, French and the Acadians
Fête nationale in Quebec: Fête nationale in Quebec is June 24, the Feast of St. John the Baptist; National holidays and important dates
First electric light bulb: The first electric light bulb was the work of Matthew Evans and Henry Woodward, who sold the patent on to Thomas Edison; Canadian achievements and inventions
First French settlement: The first French settlement was on St. Croix Island, then at Port-Royal in Acadia, present-day Nova Scotia; Royal New France
First representative assembly: The first representative assembly was elected in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1758; The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery
Fleur-de-lys: The fleur-de-lys is said to have been adopted by the French king in the year 496; Other Canadian symbols
Fredericton: Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick; The Atlantic Provinces
Freedom of association: Freedom of association is a fundamental freedom in the Charter; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Freedom of conscience and religion: Freedom of conscience and religion is a fundamental freedom in the Charter; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Freedom of peaceful assembly: Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental freedom in the Charter; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
French-speaking Catholic people of Quebec: The French-speaking Catholic people of Quebec were known as habitants or Canadiens; The struggle for a continent
Fur-trade economy: The fur-trade economy was driven by the demand for beaver pelts in Europe; Royal New France

G

Gabriel Dumont: Gabriel Dumont was the Métis' greatest military leader; Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties
General Sir Arthur Currie: General Sir Arthur Currie was Canada's greatest soldier and commanded the Canadian Corps in 1918; The First World War
Good Friday: Good Friday is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday; National holidays and important dates
Governor General: The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years; The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors

H

Halifax: Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia; The Atlantic Provinces
Helping others in the community: Helping others in the community is a responsibility of citizenship, and millions of volunteers freely donate their time; Responsibilities of citizenship
Hockey: Hockey is Canada's most popular spectator sport and is considered the national winter sport; Canadian achievements and inventions
House of Commons: The House of Commons is the representative chamber, made up of members of Parliament elected by the people, traditionally every four years; Parliament and how a bill becomes law

I

Ice hockey: Ice hockey was developed in Canada in the 1800s; Official languages and popular sports
In 1982 the Constitution: In 1982 the Constitution was amended without the agreement of Quebec; Modern Canada, the Cold War and Quebec
Indian: Indian refers to all Aboriginal people who are not Inuit or Métis; First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Individuals and governments: Individuals and governments are regulated by laws and not by arbitrary actions, and no person or group is above the law; Responsibilities of citizenship
Inuit: Inuit means the people in the Inuktitut language; First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Iqaluit: Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut; The Northern Territories
Iroquois: The Iroquois were a confederation of five, later six, First Nations who battled the French settlements for a century; Royal New France

J

Jacques Cartier: Jacques Cartier was the first European to explore the St. Lawrence River and to set eyes on present-day Québec City and Montreal; The first Europeans
John Cabot: John Cabot was the first to draw a map of Canada's East Coast; The first Europeans

L

Labour Day: Labour Day is the first Monday of September; National holidays and important dates
Lake Superior: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world; Central Canada
Land of the Midnight Sun: Land of the Midnight Sun is the North's nickname: midsummer daylight can run a full 24 hours; The Northern Territories
Largest ethnic groups in Canada: The largest ethnic groups in Canada are the English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian and Scandinavian; Quebec, diversity and religion
Laws: Laws are written rules intended to guide people in society and are made by elected representatives; The justice system
Library: The Library is the only part of the original Parliament building remaining; Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours
Lieutenant Governor: The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, normally for five years; The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors
Lower Canada: Lower Canada was heavily Catholic and French-speaking; The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery

M

Magna Carta: Magna Carta was signed in 1215 in England and is also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms; Where Canadian rights come from
Majority of Canadians: The majority of Canadians were born in Canada, and this has been true since the 1800s; Quebec, diversity and religion
Manitoba's economy: Manitoba's economy is based on agriculture, mining and hydro-electric power generation; The Prairie Provinces
Maple leaf: The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol; The Canadian flag and the maple leaf
Maple leaves: Maple leaves were adopted as a symbol by French Canadians in the 1700s; The Canadian flag and the maple leaf
Marking the ballot: Marking the ballot means putting an X in the circle beside your chosen candidate; Voting procedures
Métis: The Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry; First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Most Quebecers: Most Quebecers are descendants of 8,500 French settlers from the 1600s and 1700s; Quebec, diversity and religion
Movement for Quebec sovereignty: The movement for Quebec sovereignty was defeated in a referendum in 1980 and again in 1995; Modern Canada, the Cold War and Quebec
Much of the North: Much of the North is made up of tundra, the vast rocky Arctic plain; The Northern Territories
Multiculturalism: Multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity; Other rights in the Charter
Municipalities: Municipalities are normally responsible for urban or regional planning, streets and roads, sanitation, snow removal, firefighting, ambulance and other emergency services, recreation facilities and public transit; Provincial, territorial and municipal government

N

National Register of Electors: The National Register of Electors is a permanent database of Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older who are qualified to vote; Who can vote, and the secret ballot
New Brunswick: New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province; English, French and the Acadians
New Canadian flag: A new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965; The Canadian flag and the maple leaf
New Year's Day: New Year's Day is January 1; National holidays and important dates
Newfoundland: Newfoundland was the oldest colony of the British Empire; The Atlantic Provinces
Niagara region: The Niagara region is known for its vineyards, wines and fruit crops; Central Canada
North America's most easterly point: North America's most easterly point is Newfoundland and Labrador, which keeps a time zone of its own; The Atlantic Provinces
Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia is the most populous Atlantic Province; The Atlantic Provinces
Nunavut: Nunavut was created in 1999; Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion

O

O Canada: O Canada was proclaimed as the national anthem in 1980; Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours
Obeying the law: Obeying the law is a responsibility of citizenship, and one of Canada's founding principles is the rule of law; Responsibilities of citizenship
Old Age Security: Old Age Security was devised as early as 1927 and the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans in 1965; Modern Canada, the Cold War and Quebec
Old Province of Canada: The old Province of Canada was split into two new provinces, Ontario and Quebec; Confederation
Ottawa: Ottawa is Canada's fourth largest metropolitan area; Canada’s size, oceans and regions
Over three-quarters of Canadian exports: Over three-quarters of Canadian exports are destined for the United States; Canada’s economy

P

Parliament Buildings: The Parliament Buildings were completed in the 1860s; Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours
People who run for office: The people who run for office are called candidates; Federal elections
Phrase Dominion of Canada: The phrase Dominion of Canada was proposed in 1864 by Sir Leonard Tilley of New Brunswick, a Father of Confederation; Confederation
Police: The police are there to keep people safe and to enforce the law; The police
Port of Vancouver: The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and busiest port; The West Coast
Prairie Provinces: The Prairie Provinces are rich in energy resources and have some of the most fertile farmland in the world; The Prairie Provinces
Present-day Canada-U.S.A. border: The present-day Canada-U.S.A. border is partly an outcome of the War of 1812; The War of 1812
Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island is the birthplace of Confederation; The Atlantic Provinces
Provinces: The provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways; Canada as a federal state
Publicly funded education: Publicly funded education is provided by the provinces and territories; Modern Canada, the Cold War and Quebec

Q

Quebec: Quebec is Canada's main producer of pulp and paper; Central Canada
Quebec Act: The Quebec Act is one of the constitutional foundations of Canada; The Quebec Act and the Loyalists
Québec City: Québec City is the capital of Quebec; Central Canada
Quebecers: Quebecers are the people of Quebec, the vast majority French-speaking; Quebec, diversity and religion

R

Regina: Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan; The Prairie Provinces
Remembrance Day: Remembrance Day is observed each year on November 11; Remembrance Day
Responsible government: Responsible government means that the ministers of the Crown must have the support of a majority of the elected representatives in order to govern; Rebellions and responsible government
Riel: Riel was elected to Parliament but never took his seat; Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties
Role of opposition parties: The role of opposition parties is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals; After an election: government and opposition
Roughly 85% of Nunavut: Roughly 85% of Nunavut is Inuit; Inuktitut is official there and the first language of its schools; The Northern Territories
Royal assent: Royal assent is granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign; Parliament and how a bill becomes law
Royal Canadian Mounted Police: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are the national police force and one of Canada's best-known symbols; Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties

S

Saint John: Saint John is New Brunswick's largest city, port and manufacturing centre; The Atlantic Provinces
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan was once known as the breadbasket of the world and the wheat province; The Prairie Provinces
Saskatoon: Saskatoon is Saskatchewan's largest city and the headquarters of the mining industry; The Prairie Provinces
Screen: A screen is provided, and you are invited behind it to mark the ballot; Voting procedures
Senators: Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75; Parliament and how a bill becomes law
Serving on a jury: Serving on a jury is a privilege that makes the justice system work, because it depends on impartial juries made up of citizens; Responsibilities of citizenship
Sir George-Étienne Cartier: Sir George-Étienne Cartier was the key architect of Confederation from Quebec; Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion
Sir John A. Macdonald: Sir John A. Macdonald was born in Scotland on January 11, 1815 and came to Upper Canada as a child; Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion
Sir John A. Macdonald Day: Sir John A. Macdonald Day is January 11; National holidays and important dates
Sir John A. Macdonald's portrait: Sir John A. Macdonald's portrait is on the $10 bill; Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion
Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine: Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine was a champion of French language rights and became the first head of a responsible government in Canada in 1849; Rebellions and responsible government
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day is November 20; National holidays and important dates
Sir Wilfrid Laurier's portrait: Sir Wilfrid Laurier's portrait is on the $5 bill; The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth
Smallest of the provinces: Smallest of the provinces is Prince Edward Island, known for red soil, beaches and potatoes; The Atlantic Provinces
Sovereign: The Sovereign is a part of Parliament and plays an important non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegiance; Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign
St. John's: St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador; The Atlantic Provinces
Stanley Cup: The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892; Official languages and popular sports
Supreme Court of Canada: The Supreme Court of Canada is the country's highest court; The justice system

T

Term Aboriginal peoples: The term Aboriginal peoples refers to three distinct groups: First Nations, Inuit and Métis; First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Territorial rights: Territorial rights were first guaranteed through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III; Aboriginal peoples
Thanksgiving Day: Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday of October; National holidays and important dates
Those guilty of gender-based violence: Those guilty of gender-based violence are severely punished under Canada's criminal laws; The equality of women and men, and defending Canada
Three branches of government: The three branches of government are the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial; Three facts about Canada’s system of government
Toronto: Toronto is the capital of Ontario; Central Canada

U

Union Jack: The Union Jack is Canada's official Royal Flag; The Canadian flag and the maple leaf
Until 1982 July 1: Until 1982 July 1 was celebrated as Dominion Day, and today it is officially known as Canada Day; Confederation
Upper Canada: Upper Canada was mainly Loyalist, Protestant and English-speaking; The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery
Upper Canada and Lower Canada: Upper Canada and Lower Canada were carved out of the Province of Quebec by the Constitutional Act of 1791; The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery

V

Victoria: Victoria is the capital of British Columbia; The West Coast
Victoria Cross: The Victoria Cross is the highest honour available to Canadians; Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours
Victoria Day: Victoria Day is the Monday preceding May 25 and marks the Sovereign's birthday; National holidays and important dates
Vimy Day: Vimy Day is April 9; National holidays and important dates

W

Whitehorse: Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon; The Northern Territories
Winnipeg: Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba; The Prairie Provinces

Y

Yellowknife: Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories; The Northern Territories

Definitions are drawn from the official guide. Read the chapters for the full context.