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Canadian Citizenship Test questions and answers

Every question in the bank, with the answer and an explanation. Written from Discover Canada. Browsing is free and needs no account. But you will learn far more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.

1. 1.What are the three key facts about Canada’s system of government?

   • AIt is a confederation, a republic and a monarchy
   • BIt is a republic, a federation and a parliamentary democracy
   • CIt is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
   • DIt is a unitary state, a monarchy and a democracy

   Canada's system of government is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. (Three facts about Canada’s system of government)

2. 2.What are the three branches of government?

   • AThe Sovereign, the Senate and the Commons
   • BThe Cabinet, the Commons and the courts
   • CThe Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial
   • DThe federal, provincial and municipal

   The three branches of government are the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. (Three facts about Canada’s system of government)

3. 3.What does the interplay between the three branches help to secure?

   • AThe neutrality of the Governor General
   • BThe rights and freedoms of Canadians
   • CThe independence of the provinces
   • DThe supremacy of Parliament

   The interplay between the three branches of government helps to secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians. (Three facts about Canada’s system of government)

4. 4.From what age should Canadians participate by voting?

   • A21
   • B25
   • C18
   • D16

   It is important for Canadians aged 18 or more to participate in their democracy by voting in federal, provincial or territorial and municipal elections. (Three facts about Canada’s system of government)

5. 5.What are the three levels of government in Canada?

   • ANational, regional and local council
   • BSovereign, Senate and Commons
   • CExecutive, legislative and judicial
   • DFederal, provincial or territorial, and municipal

   Canada has federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. (Canada as a federal state)

6. 6.Which Act defined federal and provincial responsibilities in 1867?

   • AThe Quebec Act
   • BThe British North America Act
   • CThe Official Languages Act
   • DThe Charter of Rights and Freedoms

   The responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867. (Canada as a federal state)

7. 7.Which of these is a federal responsibility?

   • ACitizenship
   • BHighways
   • CHealth care
   • DEducation

   The federal government takes responsibility for defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship. (Canada as a federal state)

8. 8.Which of these is a provincial responsibility?

   • AEducation
   • BNational defence
   • CForeign policy
   • DCurrency

   The provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways. (Canada as a federal state)

9. 9.Which responsibilities are shared between the federal government and the provinces?

   • AAgriculture and immigration
   • BCriminal law and citizenship
   • CDefence and foreign policy
   • DCurrency and navigation

   The federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration. (Canada as a federal state)

10. 10.Which level of government is responsible for criminal law?

    • AThe federal government
    • BThe courts alone
    • CThe provinces
    • DMunicipal governments

    The federal government takes responsibility for defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship. (Canada as a federal state)

11. 11.Which level of government is responsible for natural resources?

    • AThe federal government
    • BThe territories only
    • CMunicipal governments
    • DThe provinces

    The provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways. (Canada as a federal state)

12. 12.What is the status of the three northern territories?

    • AThey have the same status as provinces
    • BThey are municipalities of the Northwest Territories
    • CThey are governed directly from Ottawa
    • DThey are not provinces but carry out many of the same functions

    The three northern territories do not have the status of provinces, but their governments and assemblies carry out many of the same functions. (Canada as a federal state)

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

    • AThe Sovereign governs Canada directly from London
    • BThe Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign who reigns in accordance with the Constitution
    • CThe Constitution of Canada may be changed only by the Sovereign
    • DParliament is appointed by the Sovereign rather than elected by voters

    As a constitutional monarchy, Canada's Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign who reigns in accordance with the Constitution. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

14. 14.What role does the Sovereign play in Canada?

    • AA non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegiance
    • BThe role of chief justice of the Supreme Court
    • CThe role of leader of the governing party
    • DThe role of head of government, directing policy

    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)

15. 15.As Head of the Commonwealth, how many other nations does the Sovereign link Canada to?

    • A73
    • B53
    • C33
    • D13

    As Head of the Commonwealth the Sovereign links Canada to 53 other nations. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

16. 16.Since when has Canada been a constitutional monarchy in its own right?

    • ASince Confederation in 1867
    • BSince the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952
    • CSince the Constitution was amended in 1982
    • DSince the Statute of Westminster in 1931

    Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own right since Confederation in 1867, during Queen Victoria's reign. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

17. 17.During which monarch’s reign did Confederation take place?

    • AQueen Victoria
    • BKing George III
    • CQueen Elizabeth II
    • DKing George V

    Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own right since Confederation in 1867, during Queen Victoria's reign. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

18. 18.Which of these is also a constitutional monarchy?

    • AAustralia
    • BThe United States
    • CGermany
    • DFrance

    Other constitutional monarchies include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

19. 19.What is the Crown a symbol of in Canada?

    • AThe Commonwealth of Nations, and nothing beyond it
    • BGovernment, including Parliament, the courts, police services and the Canadian Forces
    • CThe Canadian Forces and the RCMP, but not Parliament or the courts
    • DThe province of Ontario, where the Crown first sat

    The Crown is a symbol of government, including Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, police services and the Canadian Forces. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

20. 20.For how long has the Crown been a symbol of the state in Canada?

    • A800 years
    • B150 years
    • C400 years
    • D60 years

    The Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for 400 years. (Constitutional monarchy and the Sovereign)

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

    • AThe Sovereign is head of state; the Prime Minister is head of government
    • BThe Sovereign directs the government; the Prime Minister is ceremonial
    • CThey share the role of head of state
    • DThe Prime Minister appoints the Sovereign

    There is a clear distinction in Canada between the head of state, the Sovereign, and the head of government, the Prime Minister. (The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors)

22. 22.Who represents the Sovereign in Canada?

    • AThe Prime Minister
    • BThe Speaker of the Senate
    • CThe Governor General
    • DThe Chief Justice

    The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General. (The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors)

23. 23.Who appoints the Governor General?

    • AThe Sovereign, on the advice of the Prime Minister
    • BThe premiers of the provinces, acting together
    • CThe House of Commons, by a vote of MPs
    • DThe Senate, by a vote of its members

    There is a clear distinction in Canada between the head of state, the Sovereign, and the head of government, the Prime Minister. (The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors)

24. 24.For how long is the Governor General usually appointed?

    • AUntil age 75
    • BFour years
    • CTen years
    • DFive years

    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)

25. 25.Who represents the Sovereign in each province?

    • AThe Mayor
    • BThe Lieutenant Governor
    • CThe Premier
    • DThe Commissioner

    In each of the ten provinces the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor. (The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors)

26. 26.Who appoints a Lieutenant Governor?

    • AThe Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister
    • BThe Premier of the province, on taking office
    • CThe Sovereign directly, without any advice
    • DThe legislature of the province concerned

    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)

27. 27.Who represents the federal government in each of the three territories?

    • AThe Commissioner
    • BThe Lieutenant Governor
    • CThe Governor General
    • DThe Premier

    In the three territories the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role. (The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors)

28. 28.Whose role in a province is similar to the Prime Minister’s?

    • AThe Mayor’s
    • BThe Premier’s
    • CThe Lieutenant Governor’s
    • DThe Commissioner’s

    There is a clear distinction in Canada between the head of state, the Sovereign, and the head of government, the Prime Minister. (The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors)

29. 29.What are the three parts of Parliament in Canada?

    • AThe Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial
    • BThe Prime Minister, the Senate and the courts
    • CThe Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
    • DThe Governor General, the Cabinet and the Commons

    Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

30. 30.How are senators chosen?

    • AThey are elected by the voters of each province
    • BThey are chosen by the premiers of the provinces and territories
    • CThey are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
    • DThey are appointed by the Supreme Court of Canada

    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)

31. 31.Until what age do senators serve?

    • A75
    • B70
    • CUntil they resign
    • D65

    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)

32. 32.How often are members of the House of Commons traditionally elected?

    • AEvery four years
    • BEvery five years
    • CEvery two years
    • DEvery seven years

    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)

33. 33.What must happen before a bill becomes law in Canada?

    • AA referendum must be held on the question
    • BThe Supreme Court of Canada must approve it
    • CThe Cabinet must vote for it unanimously
    • DBoth chambers must pass it and it must receive royal assent

    No bill can become law in Canada until it has been passed by both chambers and has received royal assent. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

34. 34.Who grants royal assent?

    • AThe Governor General, on behalf of the Sovereign
    • BThe Prime Minister
    • CThe Chief Justice
    • DThe Speaker of the House of Commons

    Royal assent is granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

35. 35.At which stage is a bill studied clause by clause?

    • AFirst reading
    • BThird reading
    • CCommittee stage
    • DReport stage

    At committee stage committee members study the bill clause by clause. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

36. 36.At which stage do members debate a bill’s principle?

    • ASecond reading
    • BCommittee stage
    • CRoyal assent
    • DFirst reading

    At second reading members debate the bill's principle. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

37. 37.What happens at first reading?

    • AAmendments are made clause by clause
    • BThe bill goes to the Senate
    • CThe bill is considered read and is printed
    • DMembers vote on the bill

    First reading: the bill is printed and counted as read once. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

38. 38.What does a provincial legislature comprise?

    • AThe Sovereign, the Senate and the Assembly
    • BThe Commissioner and the Assembly
    • CThe Premier and the Cabinet
    • DThe Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly

    Provincial legislatures comprise the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly. (Parliament and how a bill becomes law)

39. 39.What must Cabinet ministers retain in order to stay in office?

    • AThe approval of the Governor General
    • BThe confidence of the House
    • CA majority of provincial premiers
    • DThe support of the Senate

    Cabinet ministers must retain the confidence of the House and have to resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote. (The Cabinet and confidence)

40. 40.Who selects the Cabinet ministers?

    • AThe House of Commons by a vote
    • BThe Governor General
    • CThe Prime Minister
    • DThe Sovereign

    The Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government. (The Cabinet and confidence)

41. 41.From where are most Cabinet ministers chosen?

    • AFrom the public service
    • BFrom among members of the House of Commons
    • CFrom among senators
    • DFrom the provincial legislatures

    The Prime Minister chooses the ministers of the Crown, most of them from among members of the House of Commons. (The Cabinet and confidence)

42. 42.What are Cabinet ministers responsible for running?

    • AThe courts
    • BThe federal government departments
    • CThe provincial legislatures
    • DElections Canada

    Cabinet ministers are responsible for running the federal government departments. (The Cabinet and confidence)

43. 43.Who prepares the budget and proposes most new laws?

    • AThe Governor General, on the Sovereign’s behalf
    • BThe Senate, reviewing what the Commons sends it
    • CThe Prime Minister and the Cabinet
    • DThe Supreme Court, ruling on what is required

    The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers prepare the budget and propose most new laws. (The Cabinet and confidence)

44. 44.What are elected representatives responsible for?

    • AAppointing judges to the courts and senators to the Senate
    • BGranting royal assent to bills passed by Parliament
    • CPassing laws, approving expenditures and keeping the government accountable
    • DRunning the departments of the federal government

    Elected representatives are responsible for passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable. (The Cabinet and confidence)

45. 45.What is an electoral district in Canada also called?

    • AA ward or a division
    • BA county or a parish
    • CA riding or a constituency
    • DA region or a district council

    An electoral district is also known as a riding or a constituency. (Federal elections)

46. 46.How are members of Parliament chosen?

    • AThey are chosen by the provincial premiers
    • BThey are elected by voters in their local constituency
    • CThey are appointed by the Prime Minister
    • DThey are appointed by the Governor General

    The citizens in each electoral district elect one MP who sits in the House of Commons to represent them, as well as all Canadians. (Federal elections)

47. 47.Who becomes the MP for an electoral district?

    • AThe candidate who receives the most votes
    • BThe candidate appointed by the Governor General
    • CThe candidate chosen by the provincial premier
    • DThe candidate with the most party members

    The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district. (Federal elections)

48. 48.When must federal elections be held?

    • AWhenever the Senate decides
    • BOn the second Tuesday in May every four years
    • COn the third Monday in October every four years
    • DOn the first Monday in July every five years

    Federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election. (Federal elections)

49. 49.Who may ask the Governor General to call an early election?

    • AThe Speaker of the House
    • BThe Leader of the Opposition
    • CThe Chief Electoral Officer
    • DThe Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election. (Federal elections)

50. 50.From what age may a Canadian citizen run in a federal election?

    • A18
    • B35
    • C21
    • D25

    Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older may run in a federal election. (Federal elections)