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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. 101.In which year did Britain abolish slavery throughout the Empire?

   • A1793
   • B1833
   • C1863
   • D1807

   In 1833 Britain abolished slavery throughout the Empire. (The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery)

2. 102.What was the Underground Railroad?

   • AA tunnel beneath the Canada-U.S.A. border
   • BThe first railway between Upper and Lower Canada
   • CA Christian anti-slavery network
   • DA secret route used by the Loyalists

   Thousands of slaves escaped from the United States and settled in Canada via the Underground Railroad, a Christian anti-slavery network. (The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery)

3. 103.When did the name Canada become official?

   • AIn 1982
   • BIn 1867
   • CIn 1791
   • DIn 1763

   The name Canada became official in 1791 and has been used ever since. (The beginnings of democracy and the abolition of slavery)

4. 104.In which month and year did the United States invade Canada?

   • AAugust 1814
   • BOctober 1805
   • CApril 1813
   • DJune 1812

   The United States launched an invasion of Canada in June 1812. (The War of 1812)

5. 105.Which Shawnee chief supported British soldiers in Canada’s defence?

   • ABig Bear
   • BJoseph Brant
   • CPoundmaker
   • DTecumseh

   Alongside British soldiers in 1812 stood Canadian volunteers and First Nations, Chief Tecumseh's Shawnee among them. (The War of 1812)

6. 106.Which British commander captured Detroit and was later killed at Queenston Heights?

   • ABrigadier James Wolfe
   • BMajor-General Robert Ross
   • CMajor-General Sir Isaac Brock
   • DSir Arthur Currie

   Major-General Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit but was killed defending against an American attack at Queenston Heights. (The War of 1812)

7. 107.Who turned back 4,000 American invaders at Châteauguay in 1813?

   • ALaura Secord, warning of the attack
   • BMajor-General Sir Isaac Brock
   • CLieutenant-Colonel Charles de Salaberry
   • DSir Sam Steele of the Mounted Police

   At Châteauguay in 1813, 460 soldiers under Lieutenant-Colonel Charles de Salaberry — mostly French Canadiens — halted 4,000 American invaders. (The War of 1812)

8. 108.What did Major-General Robert Ross burn in 1814?

   • AGovernment House in Halifax
   • BFort Garry
   • CThe White House
   • DThe Parliament Buildings at York

   In retaliation in 1814 Major-General Robert Ross led an expedition that burned down the White House in Washington. (The War of 1812)

9. 109.What did the War of 1812 ensure?

   • AThat the Hudson’s Bay Company would keep its monopoly
   • BThat Britain would abolish slavery
   • CThat Quebec would keep its civil law
   • DThat Canada would remain independent of the United States

   The War of 1812 ensured that Canada would remain independent of the United States. (The War of 1812)

10. 110.What did Laura Secord do in 1813?

    • ANursed the wounded after Queenston Heights
    • BCarried despatches from Halifax to Québec City
    • CMade a dangerous 19-mile journey on foot to warn of an American attack
    • DLed a militia unit in the fighting at Châteauguay

    In 1813 Laura Secord made a dangerous 19-mile journey on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of a planned American attack. (The War of 1812)

11. 111.Which 1805 naval battle left the Royal Navy ruling the waves?

    • AThe Battle of the Atlantic
    • BThe Battle of Amiens
    • CThe Battle of Trafalgar
    • DThe Battle of the Plains of Abraham

    The Royal Navy defeated Napoleon Bonaparte's fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. (The War of 1812)

12. 112.What is meant by responsible government?

    • AEach province governs itself without reference to Ottawa
    • BThe Sovereign appoints the ministers of the Crown directly
    • CMinisters of the Crown are chosen from among the senators
    • DMinisters of the Crown must have the support of a majority of elected representatives

    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)

13. 113.What must a government do if it loses a confidence vote in the assembly?

    • ACall a referendum
    • BResign
    • CAsk the Senate to decide
    • DAppeal to the courts

    Under responsible government, if the government loses a confidence vote in the assembly it must resign. (Rebellions and responsible government)

14. 114.Who was Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine?

    • AThe first head of a responsible government in Canada
    • BThe first Governor General of Canada
    • CThe leader of the 1837 rebellions
    • DCanada’s first Prime Minister

    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)

15. 115.In which year did La Fontaine become the first head of a responsible government?

    • A1849
    • B1867
    • C1791
    • D1840

    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)

16. 116.Which colony first attained full responsible government?

    • APrince Edward Island
    • BNew Brunswick
    • CNova Scotia
    • DThe Province of Canada

    The first British North American colony to attain full responsible government was Nova Scotia in 1847-48. (Rebellions and responsible government)

17. 117.Who recommended merging Upper and Lower Canada and granting responsible government?

    • ALord Elgin
    • BLord Stanley
    • CLord Strathcona
    • DLord Durham

    Lord Durham recommended that Upper and Lower Canada be merged and given responsible government. (Rebellions and responsible government)

18. 118.When were Upper and Lower Canada united as the Province of Canada?

    • AIn 1848
    • BIn 1840
    • CIn 1791
    • DIn 1867

    In 1840 Upper and Lower Canada were united as the Province of Canada. (Rebellions and responsible government)

19. 119.What happened to the armed rebellions of 1837-38?

    • AThey were abandoned before any fighting
    • BThey succeeded and brought responsible government
    • CThey led Canada to join the United States
    • DThey were defeated by British troops and Canadian volunteers

    Armed rebellions occurred in 1837-38 outside Montreal and in Toronto and were defeated by British troops and Canadian volunteers. (Rebellions and responsible government)

20. 120.What does Confederation mean?

    • AThe division of Quebec into two provinces
    • BThe granting of responsible government
    • CThe amendment of the Constitution in 1982
    • DThe union that formed the Dominion of Canada in 1867

    The phrase Dominion of Canada was proposed in 1864 by Sir Leonard Tilley of New Brunswick, a Father of Confederation. (Confederation)

21. 121.On what date was the Dominion of Canada born?

    • A1 July 1867
    • B1 January 1867
    • C11 January 1815
    • D17 April 1982

    The Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867. (Confederation)

22. 122.Which four provinces formed the Dominion of Canada in 1867?

    • AOntario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
    • BNova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Newfoundland
    • COntario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
    • DOntario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia

    Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia formed the new country called the Dominion of Canada. (Confederation)

23. 123.Which Act of the British Parliament created the Dominion of Canada?

    • AThe Official Languages Act
    • BThe Constitutional Act
    • CThe Quebec Act
    • DThe British North America Act

    The British Parliament passed the British North America Act in 1867. (Confederation)

24. 124.What two levels of government did the Fathers of Confederation create?

    • AFederal and municipal
    • BFederal and provincial
    • CProvincial and municipal
    • DImperial and colonial

    Confederation created two levels of government: federal and provincial. (Confederation)

25. 125.What was 1 July called before 1982?

    • ADominion Day
    • BEmpire Day
    • CConfederation Day
    • DVictoria Day

    Until 1982 July 1 was celebrated as Dominion Day, and today it is officially known as Canada Day. (Confederation)

26. 126.Who suggested the term Dominion of Canada?

    • ASir George-Étienne Cartier
    • BSir Leonard Tilley
    • CSir John A. Macdonald
    • DLord Durham

    The phrase Dominion of Canada was proposed in 1864 by Sir Leonard Tilley of New Brunswick, a Father of Confederation. (Confederation)

27. 127.Which areas did the new provinces control?

    • ACurrency and navigation
    • BCriminal law and citizenship
    • CEducation and health
    • DDefence and foreign policy

    Each province would elect its own legislature and have control of such areas as education and health. (Confederation)

28. 128.Who was Canada’s first Prime Minister?

    • ASir Leonard Tilley
    • BSir Wilfrid Laurier
    • CSir George-Étienne Cartier
    • DSir John Alexander Macdonald

    Sir John Alexander Macdonald became Canada's first Prime Minister in 1867. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

29. 129.On which bill does Sir John A. Macdonald’s portrait appear?

    • AThe $50 bill
    • BThe $10 bill
    • CThe $20 bill
    • DThe $5 bill

    Sir John A. Macdonald's portrait is on the $10 bill. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

30. 130.Which date is Sir John A. Macdonald Day?

    • A1 July
    • B11 January
    • C20 November
    • D9 April

    Parliament has recognized January 11 as Sir John A. Macdonald Day. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

31. 131.Who was the key architect of Confederation from Quebec?

    • ASir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine
    • BSir George-Étienne Cartier
    • CSir Wilfrid Laurier
    • DSir Leonard Tilley

    Sir George-Étienne Cartier was the key architect of Confederation from Quebec. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

32. 132.In which year did British Columbia join Canada?

    • A1871
    • B1870
    • C1905
    • D1873

    British Columbia joined Canada in 1871. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

33. 133.Which two provinces joined Canada in 1905?

    • ANewfoundland and Prince Edward Island
    • BManitoba and British Columbia
    • COntario and Quebec
    • DAlberta and Saskatchewan

    Alberta and Saskatchewan joined Canada in 1905. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

34. 134.In which year did Newfoundland and Labrador join Canada?

    • A1949
    • B1873
    • C1905
    • D1898

    Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada in 1949. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

35. 135.In which year was Nunavut created?

    • A1999
    • B1949
    • C1905
    • D1898

    Nunavut was created in 1999. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

36. 136.In which year did Prince Edward Island join Canada?

    • A1870
    • B1873
    • C1871
    • D1867

    Prince Edward Island joined Canada in 1873. (Macdonald, Cartier and expansion of the Dominion)

37. 137.Who led the Métis uprising at Red River?

    • AChief Tecumseh
    • BLouis Riel
    • CJoseph Brant
    • DGabriel Dumont

    Louis Riel led an armed uprising and seized Fort Garry, the territorial capital. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

38. 138.Which fort did Riel seize?

    • AFort Henry
    • BFort Garry
    • CFort Calgary
    • DFort MacLeod

    Louis Riel led an armed uprising and seized Fort Garry, the territorial capital. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

39. 139.Which new province did Canada establish after the first Métis uprising?

    • AAlberta
    • BBritish Columbia
    • CSaskatchewan
    • DManitoba

    Ottawa sent soldiers to retake Fort Garry in 1870 and Canada established a new province, Manitoba. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

40. 140.How many Métis of the Red River were not consulted in 1869?

    • A8,500
    • B1,200
    • C40,000
    • D12,000

    The 12,000 Métis of the Red River were not consulted when Canada took over the northwest. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

41. 141.What happened to Louis Riel after the 1885 rebellion?

    • AHe took his seat in Parliament
    • BHe was exiled to the United States
    • CHe was pardoned and became a premier
    • DHe was put on trial and executed for high treason

    A second rebellion in 1885 in present-day Saskatchewan led to Riel's trial and execution for high treason. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

42. 142.Why is Riel seen by many as a hero?

    • AAs a defender of Métis rights and the father of Manitoba
    • BAs the founder of the North West Mounted Police
    • CAs the architect of Confederation
    • DAs Canada’s first French-Canadian prime minister

    Riel is seen by many as a hero, a defender of Métis rights and the father of Manitoba. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

43. 143.In which year was the North West Mounted Police established?

    • A1869
    • B1867
    • C1873
    • D1885

    Prime Minister Macdonald established the North West Mounted Police in 1873. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

44. 144.Which city became the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police?

    • ARegina
    • BCalgary
    • CWinnipeg
    • DOttawa

    Regina became the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

45. 145.Who was the Métis’ greatest military leader?

    • ALouis Riel
    • BGabriel Dumont
    • CJoseph Brant
    • DSir Sam Steele

    Gabriel Dumont was the Métis' greatest military leader. (Louis Riel, the Métis and the Mounties)

46. 146.What did the Canadian Pacific Railway symbolise?

    • AVictory in the War of 1812
    • BUnity
    • CThe end of the fur trade
    • DIndependence from Britain

    The Canadian Pacific Railway was a powerful symbol of unity. (The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth)

47. 147.Who drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway?

    • ASir Wilfrid Laurier
    • BSir John A. Macdonald
    • CDonald Smith, Lord Strathcona
    • DSir Sandford Fleming

    On November 7, 1885 Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. (The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth)

48. 148.On what date was the last spike driven?

    • A11 January 1815
    • B7 November 1885
    • C9 April 1917
    • D1 July 1867

    On November 7, 1885 Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. (The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth)

49. 149.Why did British Columbia join Canada in 1871?

    • AIt was purchased from the Hudson’s Bay Company
    • BIt was granted responsible government
    • CIt was ceded by the United States
    • DOttawa promised to build a railway to the West Coast

    Ottawa's promise of a railway to the West Coast brought British Columbia in during 1871. (The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth)

50. 150.What was the Head Tax?

    • AA tax on land granted to settlers in the West
    • BA race-based entry fee charged to Chinese immigrants
    • CA tax on freight carried by the railway
    • DA levy paid by every new immigrant on arrival

    Discrimination followed for Chinese railway workers, the Head Tax among it — a race-based entry fee. (The Canadian Pacific Railway and westward growth)