Canadian Citizenship Test: 100 Questions in One Sitting

All 100 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. Which document first guaranteed Aboriginal territorial rights?

   1. The Act of Union of 1840
   2. The Royal Proclamation of 1763
   3. The Quebec Act of 1774
   4. The Constitutional Act of 1791

2. Why did European explorers call the native peoples of North America "Indians"?

   1. They thought they had reached the East Indies
   2. The native peoples used that name
   3. The King of France chose the name
   4. It was the name of a large river they had mapped

3. What approximate French-speaking share of New Brunswick’s population is quoted in Discover Canada?

   1. About one-third
   2. About one-tenth
   3. About three-quarters
   4. About half

4. Who has major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, such as housing and schools?

   1. Senators
   2. Band chiefs and councillors
   3. Lieutenant Governors
   4. Territorial Commissioners

5. Which group’s remaining federal voting restrictions were removed when Parliament ended racial franchise discrimination in 1948?

   1. Japanese Canadians
   2. Chinese Canadians
   3. South Asian Canadians
   4. Korean Canadians

6. Which of these situations does the guide list as a reason to ask the police for help?

   1. You want to change your riding
   2. You need a passport renewed
   3. You want a building permit
   4. Someone you know has gone missing

7. For a standard adult citizenship application, which age group is outside the normal 18–54 language-proof requirement?

   1. Anyone with a university degree
   2. Adults aged 55 and over
   3. Adults aged 45 and over
   4. Spouses of Canadian citizens

8. Which Quebec filmmaker's films have won international awards, according to Discover Canada?

   1. Denys Arcand
   2. Émile Nelligan
   3. Louis Hémon
   4. Jean-Paul Riopelle

9. What do you do at your citizenship ceremony?

   1. Write the citizenship test again
   2. Choose your electoral district and political party
   3. Take the Oath and complete the oath form
   4. Give a speech to the judge

10. Which beach did Canadian troops capture on D-Day, June 6, 1944?

    1. Omaha Beach
    2. Dieppe
    3. Hong Kong
    4. Juno Beach

11. In what year did the British Parliament pass the Slavery Abolition Act?

    1. 1807
    2. 1793
    3. 1867
    4. 1833

12. After whom were the province of Alberta and Lake Louise named?

    1. Queen Victoria herself
    2. A Hudson's Bay Company trader
    3. Princess Louise Caroline Alberta
    4. The wife of Sir John A. Macdonald

13. On what date is Canada Day celebrated?

    1. June 24
    2. July 1
    3. May 24
    4. November 11

14. Forestry, fishing, mining and energy belong to which type of industry?

    1. Natural resources industries
    2. Financial industries
    3. Service industries
    4. Manufacturing industries

15. The British North America Act is now known by what name?

    1. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    2. The Canada Act, 1931
    3. The Constitutional Act, 1791
    4. The Constitution Act, 1867

16. A Canadian citizen wants to apply for a passport and travel abroad. Which Charter rights cover entering and leaving Canada freely?

    1. Democratic rights
    2. Mobility rights
    3. Minority language rights
    4. Aboriginal peoples' rights

17. In what year did Ottawa formally apologize to former students of residential schools?

    1. 1988
    2. 1982
    3. 2008
    4. 2015

18. Which Aboriginal people were nomadic and followed the bison herd?

    1. The Iroquois
    2. The Huron-Wendat
    3. The Sioux
    4. The Inuit

19. Which province is Canada’s most easterly province?

    1. Prince Edward Island
    2. Nova Scotia
    3. New Brunswick
    4. Newfoundland and Labrador

20. After you mark and fold your ballot, what does the poll official do?

    1. Opens it to check it is valid
    2. Reads your choice aloud
    3. Tears off the ballot number and returns it to you
    4. Keeps it in a sealed envelope until the polls close

21. What began Canada's modern energy industry in 1947?

    1. The discovery of oil in Alberta
    2. The building of Niagara power stations
    3. Uranium mining in Saskatchewan
    4. Offshore drilling near Newfoundland

22. What is Canada's highest court?

    1. The Federal Court of Canada
    2. The Senate
    3. The provincial court of appeal
    4. The Supreme Court of Canada

23. In what year was O Canada proclaimed the national anthem?

    1. 1867
    2. 1965
    3. 1980
    4. 1880

24. Which Canadian engineer helped develop an early external cardiac pacemaker?

    1. Sir Frederick Banting
    2. Dr. Wilder Penfield
    3. Dr. Emily Stowe
    4. Dr. John A. Hopps

25. Is military service compulsory in Canada?

    1. Only during federal elections
    2. No, there is no compulsory service
    3. Yes, for one year after high school
    4. Yes, for all men aged 18

26. In 1918, most female citizens of what age gained the right to vote in federal elections?

    1. 18 and over
    2. 21 and over
    3. 25 and over
    4. 30 and over

27. Which governor of United Canada introduced responsible government in 1848–49?

    1. Lord Elgin
    2. Lord Durham
    3. Lord Dorchester
    4. Lord Tweedsmuir

28. About what share of Canada's land mass do the three territories cover?

    1. About two-fifths (40%)
    2. About two-thirds
    3. About one-tenth
    4. About one-half

29. Which date is listed in the guide as Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day?

    1. June 24
    2. January 11
    3. July 1
    4. November 20

30. What share of exports destined for the United States does Discover Canada quote?

    1. About one-third
    2. Over three-quarters
    3. About one-tenth
    4. About half

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

    1. Territorial
    2. Provincial
    3. Municipal
    4. Federal

32. How does Canadian law treat forced marriage and other gender-based violence?

    1. As crimes that are severely punished
    2. As minor offences with small fines
    3. As acceptable if part of a tradition
    4. As private family matters

33. In what decade did the term First Nations begin to be used?

    1. The 1920s
    2. The 1990s
    3. The 1970s
    4. The 1860s

34. Jacques Cartier claimed land for which king during his voyages of 1534 to 1542?

    1. King Charles II of England
    2. King Louis XIV of France
    3. King Francis I of France
    4. King George III

35. Which is Canada's smallest province?

    1. Prince Edward Island
    2. New Brunswick
    3. Nova Scotia
    4. Newfoundland and Labrador

36. How do you mark your ballot in a federal election?

    1. Sign your name beside the party
    2. Write the candidate's full name on the line provided
    3. Circle the candidate's photo
    4. Put an X in the circle next to your candidate

37. According to Discover Canada’s account of postwar prosperity, in which year could a majority afford adequate food, shelter and clothing?

    1. 1967
    2. 1951
    3. 1919
    4. 1939

38. A neighbour owes you a small sum of money and will not pay. Which court handles civil cases like this?

    1. Small claims court
    2. Traffic court
    3. The Supreme Court of Canada
    4. The Federal Court of Canada

39. The Clarkson Cup, established in 2005, was created for which sport?

    1. Curling
    2. University hockey
    3. Women's hockey
    4. Canadian football

40. What was Terry Fox's cross-country run in 1980 called?

    1. The Great Trek West
    2. The Marathon of Hope
    3. The Man in Motion Tour
    4. The Run for Canada

41. Why do Canadians swear loyalty to a person rather than to a flag or a constitution?

    1. The Sovereign personifies Canada
    2. The flag is not official
    3. The Prime Minister requires it
    4. The constitution is unwritten

42. Which province was created in 1870 after the first Métis uprising?

    1. Manitoba
    2. Alberta
    3. Saskatchewan
    4. British Columbia

43. Which of Lord Durham's recommendations showed a complete lack of understanding of French Canadians?

    1. That they join the fur trade
    2. That Quebec keep French civil law
    3. That they assimilate into English Protestant culture
    4. That they elect their own separate assembly in Lower Canada

44. In Discover Canada’s account, about half of British Columbia’s goods are described as which products?

    1. Automobiles
    2. Dairy products
    3. Forestry products
    4. Oil and gas products

45. For what is the Victoria Cross awarded?

    1. Long service in the public service
    2. Outstanding lifetime achievement in the arts or sciences
    3. Winning an Olympic gold medal
    4. Conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy

46. How does Discover Canada rank the size of Canada's economy?

    1. The largest in the world
    2. Smaller than most in Europe
    3. Among the ten largest in the world
    4. Among the fifty largest

47. What are the three branches of government?

    1. Executive, Legislative and Judicial
    2. Federal, Provincial and Municipal
    3. Police, Courts and Prisons
    4. Senate, Commons and Crown

48. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are part of which fundamental freedom?

    1. Freedom of conscience and religion
    2. Freedom of peaceful assembly
    3. Freedom of association
    4. Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression

49. In 2006, what did the House of Commons recognize about the Québécois?

    1. Quebec is a separate country
    2. They are exempt from federal law
    3. They may hold a referendum every year
    4. They form a nation within a united Canada

50. What drove the fur-trade economy of New France?

    1. The sale of timber to the Americans
    2. Demand for buffalo meat in Europe
    3. Gold found along the St. Lawrence
    4. European demand for beaver pelts

51. What is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador?

    1. Corner Brook
    2. Happy Valley-Goose Bay
    3. Saint John
    4. St. John's

52. You did not receive a voter information card. Can you still vote?

    1. Only by mail from another country
    2. No, you must register and wait until the next federal election
    3. Only if you apply six months in advance
    4. Yes, you can be added to the list, even on election day

53. In which year was legislation establishing the Canada and Quebec pension plans adopted?

    1. 1982
    2. 1927
    3. 1940
    4. 1965

54. You need a lawyer but cannot afford one. What does the guide say is available in most communities?

    1. A court-appointed relative
    2. A lawyer paid by your employer
    3. Legal aid, free or at low cost
    4. No help at all

55. In 1948, which province adopted a flag based on the Cross and the fleur-de-lys?

    1. Ontario
    2. Manitoba
    3. New Brunswick
    4. Quebec

56. Which Canadian invented basketball in 1891?

    1. Paul Henderson
    2. James Naismith
    3. Wayne Gretzky
    4. Lord Stanley

57. You receive a summons to serve on a jury. What does Canadian law expect?

    1. You are legally required to serve
    2. You may ignore it if you are busy
    3. You serve only if you volunteer
    4. Only lawyers have to serve

58. What wartime wrong did the Government of Canada apologize for in 1988?

    1. The residential schools
    2. The Chinese Head Tax
    3. The internment of Ukrainians in the First World War
    4. The forced relocation of Japanese Canadians

59. What did Lord Durham recommend after the rebellions?

    1. Give Lower Canada full independence
    2. Hand Upper Canada over to the Americans under a new treaty
    3. Abolish all elected assemblies
    4. Merge Upper and Lower Canada with responsible government

60. Which is Canada's largest city and main financial centre?

    1. Vancouver
    2. Ottawa
    3. Toronto
    4. Montreal

61. When is Thanksgiving Day in Canada?

    1. The second Monday of October
    2. The third Monday of October
    3. The fourth Thursday of November
    4. The first Monday of September

62. Which three broad industry groups does Discover Canada use to describe the economy?

    1. Technology, retail and defence
    2. Mining, fishing and forestry
    3. Service, manufacturing, natural resources
    4. Banking, farming and international tourism

63. According to the guide, what is one benefit of federalism?

    1. Provinces can tailor policies to their populations
    2. All provinces must have identical laws
    3. Provinces need no legislatures
    4. Ottawa can overrule any provincial vote

64. In what year was Magna Carta signed in England?

    1. 1608
    2. 1215
    3. 1497
    4. 1066

65. A newcomer fled a country at war. According to the guide, what are newcomers expected to do?

    1. Embrace democratic principles like the rule of law
    2. Keep old conflicts alive in Canada
    3. Avoid speaking about their past
    4. Give up their culture, language and religion entirely

66. In what year did John Cabot's expedition begin European exploration of Canada in earnest?

    1. 1604
    2. 1534
    3. 1497
    4. 1215

67. Which of these is one of Canada's five regions?

    1. The Great Basin
    2. The Maritime Territories
    3. The Southern Plains
    4. The Prairie Provinces

68. What are laws passed by municipal councils called?

    1. By-laws
    2. Statutes of Parliament
    3. Acts
    4. Orders in council

69. By the 1960s, what share of Canadians had origins that were neither British nor French?

    1. Two-thirds
    2. One-third
    3. One-tenth
    4. One-half

70. Does Canadian law apply to judges, politicians and the police?

    1. No, they are exempt while on duty
    2. Only to police, not to judges
    3. Only after they leave office
    4. Yes, the law applies to everyone

71. Which books are traditionally housed in the Peace Tower’s Memorial Chamber?

    1. The Books of Remembrance
    2. The Crown Jewels
    3. The Stanley Cup
    4. The original Constitution

72. Rick Hansen began his 1985–1987 wheelchair world tour to raise funds for what?

    1. Diabetes research
    2. Heart surgery
    3. Cancer research
    4. Spinal cord research

73. Which three services make up the regular Canadian Forces?

    1. Army, police and coast guard
    2. Navy, army and air force
    3. Navy, militia and cadets
    4. Air force, RCMP and fire service

74. When was Yukon Territory created?

    1. 1880
    2. 1999
    3. 1898
    4. 1870

75. What was one lasting outcome of the War of 1812?

    1. Canada stayed independent of the United States
    2. Canada joined the United States
    3. Britain handed Canada back to France in the peace treaty
    4. Canada gained Alaska

76. Why is the North called the Land of the Midnight Sun?

    1. The sun never sets in winter
    2. Summer daylight can last up to 24 hours
    3. The northern lights shine all day
    4. It has the warmest nights in Canada

77. Who was the first black man to be awarded the Victoria Cross?

    1. Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray
    2. Able Seaman William Hall
    3. Captain Paul Triquet
    4. Corporal Filip Konowal

78. Which country is Canada's largest trading partner?

    1. The United States
    2. China
    3. Mexico
    4. The United Kingdom

79. What must the federal government do after losing the confidence of the House?

    1. Resign or seek dissolution for an election
    2. Let the Senate take over
    3. Continue unchanged until the next scheduled election
    4. Ask the Sovereign to dissolve the provinces

80. What status do English and French have in Parliament and throughout the federal government?

    1. French is used only in Quebec
    2. Each is used on alternate days
    3. Equal status
    4. English comes first

81. Since the 1970s, where have most immigrants to Canada come from?

    1. European countries
    2. African countries
    3. The United States
    4. Asian countries

82. How did the Huron-Wendat of the Great Lakes region live?

    1. As farmers and hunters
    2. As fishers who never farmed
    3. As nomads following the bison
    4. As whale hunters on the Arctic coast

83. What is the capital of Nova Scotia?

    1. Halifax
    2. Sydney
    3. Fredericton
    4. Charlottetown

84. Who makes up the Cabinet?

    1. The senators and judges
    2. All members of the House of Commons
    3. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers
    4. The premiers of the provinces

85. In what year was Canada’s first Official Languages Act passed?

    1. 1982
    2. 1969
    3. 1963
    4. 1867

86. What is the role of the courts in Canada?

    1. To choose the Prime Minister
    2. To enforce traffic rules on the road
    3. To settle disputes
    4. To make new laws

87. Which of these does the Crown symbolize in Canada?

    1. Government, including Parliament and the courts
    2. The Prime Minister's political party
    3. Only the Royal Family's private property
    4. The provinces' independence from Ottawa

88. Les Automatistes of Quebec were pioneers of what kind of art in the 1950s?

    1. Soapstone carving
    2. Historical sculpture
    3. Modern abstract art
    4. Wilderness landscape painting

89. According to the guide, what does work contribute to besides Canada's prosperity?

    1. Exemption from jury duty
    2. Eligibility to vote
    3. Personal dignity and self-respect
    4. A right to free housing from the government

90. How many Allied air crew were trained in Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan?

    1. Over 130,000
    2. About 13,000
    3. Over 1 million
    4. About 44,000

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

    1. Ontario, Quebec, PEI and New Brunswick
    2. Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland
    3. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
    4. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia

92. What does Nunavut mean in Inuktitut?

    1. Our land
    2. Land of snow
    3. The people
    4. Northern village

93. Captain Paul Triquet of Cabano, Quebec, earned the Victoria Cross in which country?

    1. France
    2. The Netherlands
    3. Italy
    4. Belgium

94. Which country joined Canada and the United States in 1994 in the North American Free Trade Agreement?

    1. Cuba
    2. Japan
    3. Mexico
    4. The United Kingdom

95. Who is the head of government in Canada?

    1. The Governor General
    2. The Sovereign
    3. The Leader of the Opposition
    4. The Prime Minister

96. According to the Charter, how do the rights it guarantees affect the treaty rights of Aboriginal peoples?

    1. They suspend treaty rights in cities
    2. They replace all treaty rights
    3. They will not adversely affect them
    4. They apply only to treaties after 1982

97. Which is the only officially bilingual province?

    1. Manitoba
    2. Quebec
    3. Ontario
    4. New Brunswick

98. Under the Quebec Act of 1774, which laws applied in the colony?

    1. Only French law in all matters
    2. British civil law and French criminal law
    3. French civil law and British criminal law
    4. Only British law in all matters

99. Which provinces make up the Atlantic region?

    1. Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
    2. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, PEI
    3. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Maine, PEI
    4. Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, PEI

100. Which neutral agency of Parliament produces the voters' lists for federal elections?

     1. Statistics Canada
     2. Elections Canada
     3. The Senate
     4. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada