Canadian Citizenship Test Questions and Answers – Printable PDF

100 citizenship practice questions from Discover Canada with a separate answer key, explanations and chapter references. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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A lot of people study for the citizenship test away from a screen: on the bus, at the kitchen table, or with a family member reading the questions out loud. This page puts 100 original practice questions on one printable sheet, drawn from all 16 of our topics, so rights and freedoms, the Oath, the three periods of history, how Canadians govern themselves, elections, the justice system, symbols, holidays, the economy and every region of the country are all covered. The answer key starts on a fresh page after question 100, so you can fold it away, answer first and check yourself afterwards.

Each answer comes with a short explanation and names the chapter and section of Discover Canada it is based on, which makes the sheet useful for review as well as for testing. The real test has only 20 questions and a pass mark of 15, so this sheet holds about five tests' worth of material. Press the print button and pick Save as PDF to keep a copy on your phone. When you want instant marking and the 45-minute timer, switch to the online mock exams linked below.

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1.What is the National Register of Electors?
1. A register of political party members
2. A permanent database of citizens qualified to vote
3. A record of how each person voted
4. A list of all candidates in an election
2.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
3.Where did de Monts and Champlain’s expedition settle in 1604 before relocating in 1605?
1. Newfoundland, then Labrador
2. Halifax, then Louisbourg
3. St. Croix Island, then Port-Royal
4. Québec City, then Montreal
4.Which was the first British North American colony to attain full responsible government?
1. Upper Canada
2. Newfoundland
3. Nova Scotia
4. New Brunswick
5.Which province is the largest producer of oil and gas?
1. Alberta
2. Newfoundland and Labrador
3. Saskatchewan
4. British Columbia
6.Which military alliance did Canada join with other Western democracies during the Cold War?
1. NORAD
2. NATO
3. La Francophonie
4. The Warsaw Pact
7.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
8.What are the three parts of Parliament?
1. The House of Commons, the premiers and the mayors
2. The Senate, the Supreme Court and the Governor General
3. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
4. The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the courts
9.How large is the National Capital Region surrounding Ottawa?
1. 4,700 square kilometres
2. 10 million square kilometres
3. 47,000 square kilometres
4. 470 square kilometres
10.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
11.What does the rule of law mean, as described in Discover Canada?
1. Laws apply only to new citizens
2. The police decide what is legal
3. No person or group is above the law
4. Judges may make any law they like
12.What is Canada's official summer sport?
1. Soccer
2. Baseball
3. Lacrosse
4. Canadian football
13.Freedom of conscience and religion is one of how many fundamental freedoms listed in Discover Canada?
1. Six
2. Two
3. Ten
4. Four
14.Approximately how many Canadian deaths in the First World War does Discover Canada report?
1. 10,000
2. 60,000
3. 44,000
4. 110,000
15.Most Quebecers are descendants of about how many French settlers from the 1600s and 1700s?
1. 85,000
2. 40,000
3. 8,500
4. 850
16.Forestry, fishing, mining and energy belong to which type of industry?
1. Natural resources industries
2. Financial industries
3. Service industries
4. Manufacturing industries
17.What does the right to a secret ballot mean?
1. Ballots are never counted in public
2. You must not discuss politics at all
3. Only candidates can see the results
4. Your choice is private and no one may require you to disclose it
18.On what date is Remembrance Day observed?
1. December 26
2. July 1
3. April 9
4. November 11
19.What did the Constitutional Act of 1791 give the Canadas for the first time?
1. Their own national flag
2. Independence from Britain
3. A prime minister and a Cabinet chosen by London
4. Legislative assemblies elected by the people
20.Who was Upper Canada's first Lieutenant Governor and the founder of the City of York, now Toronto?
1. Sir Guy Carleton
2. Lord Durham
3. John Graves Simcoe
4. Sir Isaac Brock
21.What is the capital of Quebec?
1. Sherbrooke
2. Gatineau
3. Québec City
4. Montreal
22.Which postwar trade agreement preceded the WTO and helped open up trade after the Depression?
1. GATT
2. NAFTA
3. NORAD
4. NATO
23.Where did Alexander Graham Bell hit on the idea of the telephone?
1. At McGill University
2. In a laboratory in Toronto
3. On a ship crossing the Atlantic
4. At his summer house in Canada
24.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
25.Which three oceans line Canada's frontiers?
1. Atlantic, Arctic and Southern
2. Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic
3. Pacific, Atlantic and Indian
4. Pacific, Indian and Arctic
26.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
27.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
28.For about how long has the Crown been a symbol of the state in Canada?
1. 150 years
2. 400 years
3. 100 years
4. 1,000 years
29.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
30.Which province was created in 1870 after the first Métis uprising?
1. Manitoba
2. Alberta
3. Saskatchewan
4. British Columbia
31.Which form of government does Canada have?
1. Absolute monarchy
2. One-party state
3. Constitutional monarchy
4. Federal republic
32.Which country is Canada's largest trading partner?
1. The United States
2. China
3. Mexico
4. The United Kingdom
33.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
34.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
35.What is the name of the Viking settlement site in Newfoundland that is now a World Heritage site?
1. Louisbourg
2. St. Croix Island
3. L'Anse aux Meadows
4. Port-Royal
36.What was the Underground Railroad?
1. A tunnel under the Niagara River
2. A secret army in the War of 1812
3. A secret network helping enslaved people escape
4. The first railway in Upper Canada
37.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
38.In which year did First Nations people registered under the Indian Act gain the federal vote without having to give up their status?
1. 1960
2. 1982
3. 1948
4. 1918
39.Which pioneering McGill brain surgeon was known as "the greatest living Canadian"?
1. Dr. John A. Hopps
2. Gerhard Herzberg
3. Dr. Wilder Penfield
4. Charles Best
40.What must normally happen before a federal bill becomes law?
1. It is approved by a national referendum
2. It passes both chambers and receives royal assent
3. It is approved by the Supreme Court
4. It is signed by every premier
41.Which province is Canada’s most easterly province?
1. Prince Edward Island
2. Nova Scotia
3. New Brunswick
4. Newfoundland and Labrador
42.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
43.After you pass the test and meet the other requirements, which document tells you the date and place of your ceremony?
1. A Notice to Appear to Take the Oath
2. A voter information card from Elections Canada
3. A permanent resident card
4. A Notice of Assessment
44.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
45.Canada inherited an unwritten constitution from which country?
1. The United States
2. Great Britain
3. The Netherlands
4. France
46.Which province was the first to give women the right to vote, in 1916?
1. Manitoba
2. Quebec
3. Nova Scotia
4. Ontario
47.Who are the three founding peoples of Canada?
1. French, Spanish and British
2. British, American and French
3. Aboriginal, Dutch and French
4. Aboriginal, French and British
48.Making aerospace technology and automobiles is part of which type of industry?
1. Natural resources industries
2. Service industries
3. Tourism industries
4. Manufacturing industries
49.What is a minority government?
1. A government without a Cabinet
2. The governing party does not hold a majority of seats
3. A government appointed by the courts
4. A government led by a party representing a minority group
50.Captain Paul Triquet of Cabano, Quebec, earned the Victoria Cross in which country?
1. France
2. The Netherlands
3. Italy
4. Belgium
51.Which Aboriginal people were nomadic and followed the bison herd?
1. The Iroquois
2. The Huron-Wendat
3. The Sioux
4. The Inuit
52.Which Father of Confederation suggested the term Dominion of Canada?
1. Sir Leonard Tilley
2. Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché
3. Sir John A. Macdonald
4. Sir George-Étienne Cartier
53.Which province has the largest French-speaking population outside Quebec?
1. New Brunswick
2. Ontario
3. Manitoba
4. Nova Scotia
54.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
55.Who pioneered modern Inuit art with etchings, prints and soapstone sculptures?
1. Emily Carr
2. Pauline Johnson
3. Kenojuak Ashevak
4. Louis-Philippe Hébert
56.For how long is a Governor General usually appointed?
1. Ten years
2. For life
3. Four years
4. Five years
57.How does Canada rank in size among the countries of the world?
1. Third largest
2. Largest
3. Fifth largest
4. Second largest
58.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
59.Which form must you sign as part of the citizenship ceremony process?
1. The voters' list
2. A jury duty registration
3. The oath form
4. The Charter of Rights
60.Since what year have red and white been Canada's national colours?
1. 1867
2. 1812
3. 1921
4. 1965
61.The Charter of Rights and Freedoms begins by saying Canada is founded on principles that recognize what?
1. The authority of the British Parliament
2. The power of the provinces over Ottawa
3. The supremacy of God and the rule of law
4. The will of the majority in all things
62.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
63.What is the deportation of the Acadians between 1755 and 1763 known as?
1. The Great Upheaval
2. The Quiet Revolution
3. The Great Migration
4. The Conquest
64.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
65.If a majority of MPs vote against the government on a matter of confidence, such as the budget, what usually happens?
1. The government continues until its term ends
2. The Senate chooses a new Prime Minister
3. The budget is sent to the Supreme Court
4. The PM asks the Governor General to call an election
66.How many Canadian Victoria Cross recipients does Discover Canada list?
1. 16
2. 96
3. 250
4. 1,000
67.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
68.Who chose Bytown, now Ottawa, as the endpoint of the Rideau Canal?
1. Lord Elgin
2. Sir John A. Macdonald
3. Queen Victoria
4. The Duke of Wellington
69.Which of the five Great Lakes lies entirely in the United States?
1. Lake Huron
2. Lake Erie
3. Lake Superior
4. Lake Michigan
70.Which of these is named in the guide as a place where Canada has served in UN peacekeeping missions?
1. New Zealand
2. Argentina
3. Iceland
4. Cyprus
71.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
72.Who represents the Sovereign in Canada?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Commissioner
3. The Speaker of the Senate
4. The Governor General
73.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
74.Which federal trial court handles judicial review of many immigration and other federal administrative decisions?
1. The Federal Court of Canada
2. Small claims court
3. The Supreme Court of Canada
4. Family court
75.Getting a job and taking care of your family are examples of which citizenship responsibility?
1. Protecting our heritage and environment
2. Serving in the Canadian Forces
3. Taking responsibility for oneself and one's family
4. Helping others in the community
76.Where does the red-white-red pattern of the Canadian flag come from?
1. The flag of New France
2. The Union Jack
3. The flag of the Hudson's Bay Company trading posts
4. The flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston
77.In what year was Magna Carta signed in England?
1. 1608
2. 1215
3. 1497
4. 1066
78.From 1914 to 1920, whom did Ottawa intern as "enemy aliens"?
1. Former Austro-Hungarian subjects, mainly Ukrainians
2. Italian immigrants in Montreal
3. Japanese Canadians living along the British Columbia coast
4. German-speaking Mennonites
79.According to Parks Canada’s history of the residential school system, schools continued until which period?
1. The late 1990s
2. The 1860s
3. The 1950s
4. The 1920s
80.Banking, tourism and health care are examples of which type of industry?
1. Primary industries
2. Natural resources industries
3. Service industries
4. Manufacturing industries
81.What is the role of opposition parties?
1. To approve every government bill
2. To peacefully oppose or improve government proposals
3. To run government departments
4. To appoint the Cabinet ministers who run each department
82.Who was the first Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross?
1. William Hall
2. Alexander Roberts Dunn
3. Billy Bishop
4. Filip Konowal
83.What were the skilled fur traders who travelled by canoe called?
1. Loyalists and Patriotes
2. Voyageurs and coureurs des bois
3. Habitants and seigneurs
4. Mounties and Rangers
84.Why is Laura Secord remembered as a heroine?
1. She walked about 30 km to warn of an American attack
2. She sailed a ship into Halifax harbour
3. She founded the first school in York
4. She led British troops into battle at Queenston Heights
85.What brought thousands of miners to Yukon in the 1890s?
1. The fur trade
2. Diamond discoveries
3. The Gold Rush
4. The building of the CPR
86.Which law ensures common elements and a basic standard of health coverage across Canada?
1. The Constitution Act, 1867
2. The Canada Health Act
3. The Quebec Act
4. The Official Languages Act
87.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
88.Which of these is a provincial responsibility?
1. Foreign policy
2. Currency
3. Citizenship
4. Education
89.How many provinces and territories does Canada have?
1. Ten provinces and three territories
2. Ten provinces and two territories
3. Nine provinces and four territories
4. Twelve provinces and two territories
90.In which provinces does the RCMP NOT serve as the provincial police?
1. Ontario and Quebec
2. Nova Scotia and PEI
3. British Columbia and Alberta
4. Manitoba and Saskatchewan
91.A teenager wants to learn discipline and responsibility through a youth program linked to the military. What does the guide suggest?
1. Serving on a jury
2. Enlisting in the RCMP
3. Joining the Senate pages
4. Joining the cadets
92.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
93.Canada's tradition of ordered liberty dates back to the signing of which document?
1. The Treaty of Paris
2. The Constitution Act, 1867
3. The Quebec Act
4. Magna Carta
94.Who was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation?
1. Sir Wilfrid Laurier
2. Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine
3. Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché
4. Sir George-Étienne Cartier
95.In what year did Ottawa formally apologize to former students of residential schools?
1. 1988
2. 1982
3. 2008
4. 2015
96.A large share of Canada's exports are what kind of goods?
1. Natural resource commodities
2. Handmade crafts
3. Video games and films
4. Imported luxury goods
97.What is a majority government?
1. Two parties share power equally
2. The governing party won a majority of the provinces
3. The governing party holds more than half the seats
4. The Senate supports the government
98.On what date is Canada Day celebrated?
1. June 24
2. July 1
3. May 24
4. November 11
99.Who were the United Empire Loyalists?
1. Settlers who supported American independence
2. Fur traders who stayed loyal to the Hudson's Bay Company monopoly
3. People loyal to the Crown who fled the American Revolution
4. French soldiers who stayed after 1759
100.Which two levels of government did the Fathers of Confederation create?
1. Federal and municipal
2. Imperial and colonial
3. Federal and provincial
4. Provincial and territorial

Answer key with explanations

1. B — A permanent database of citizens qualified to vote
The National Register of Electors is a permanent database of Canadian citizens 18 or older qualified to vote federally.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, Voting
2. B — Able Seaman William Hall
William Hall of Horton, Nova Scotia, whose parents were American slaves, earned the V.C. at the Siege of Lucknow in 1857.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, The Victoria Cross
3. C — St. Croix Island, then Port-Royal
The expedition settled on Saint Croix Island in 1604. After the harsh winter, it relocated to Port-Royal in 1605. This question identifies that expedition’s sequence rather than claiming it was the first European presence anywhere north of Florida.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Royal New France
4. C — Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia was the first colony in British North America to achieve full responsible government, in 1847–48.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Responsible government
5. A — Alberta
Alberta is the largest producer of oil and gas, and the oil sands in the north are a major energy source.
Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, Alberta
6. B — NATO
Canada joined other democratic countries of the West to form NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Modern Canada since 1945 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, International engagement
7. D — Spinal cord research
Hansen launched the Man in Motion World Tour in 1985 and completed it in 1987, raising awareness and funds for spinal cord research and accessibility.
Arts, sports, science and inventions · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Sports
8. C — The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate and the House of Commons.
How Canadians govern themselves · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 5 How Canadians Govern Themselves, Parliamentary democracy
9. A — 4,700 square kilometres
The National Capital Region covers 4,700 square kilometres and preserves the area's heritage and natural environment.
Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic Canada · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, The national capital
10. C — Legal aid, free or at low cost
Legal aid may provide free or low-cost help for eligible people and covered cases. Availability and financial and subject-matter criteria vary by province or territory; it is not an automatic free lawyer for every dispute.
The justice system · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 7 The Justice System, Getting legal help
11. C — No person or group is above the law
Under the rule of law, individuals and governments are regulated by laws, not arbitrary actions, and no one is above the law.
Citizenship responsibilities and the Oath · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Citizenship responsibilities
12. C — Lacrosse
Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Aboriginals, is Canada's official summer sport.
Canadian symbols · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, Popular sports
13. D — Four
The guide lists four freedoms: conscience and religion; thought, belief, opinion and expression; peaceful assembly; and association.
Rights and freedoms · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Magna Carta
14. B — 60,000
The guide says 60,000 Canadians were killed and 170,000 wounded in the First World War.
History: the Dominion and the World Wars · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The First World War
15. C — 8,500
The guide says most Quebecers descend from 8,500 French settlers of the 1600s and 1700s.
Who we are: founding peoples and diversity · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Who We Are, English and French
16. A — Natural resources industries
Natural resources industries include forestry, fishing, agriculture, mining and energy.
Canada's economy · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 9 Canada's Economy, Three main types of industries
17. D — Your choice is private and no one may require you to disclose it
Your ballot choice is private, and nobody may require you to reveal it. You can choose to discuss your vote. Authorized assistance is available for electors who need help marking a ballot.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, Secret ballot
18. D — November 11
Remembrance Day is November 11, the anniversary of the 1918 Armistice.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, National public holidays
19. D — Legislative assemblies elected by the people
The 1791 Act granted the Canadas their first elected legislative assemblies, and the name Canada became official.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The beginnings of democracy
20. C — John Graves Simcoe
John Graves Simcoe was Upper Canada’s first Lieutenant Governor and founded York. The 1793 anti-slavery law was a step toward gradual abolition; it did not immediately free every enslaved person.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Abolition of slavery
21. C — Québec City
The guide's capital table lists Québec City as the capital of Quebec.
Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, Provinces and territories
22. A — GATT
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) helped liberalize postwar trade. The World Trade Organization succeeded the GATT institutional framework in 1995; GATT rules also remain part of WTO agreements.
Modern Canada since 1945 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Trade and economic growth
23. D — At his summer house in Canada
The guide says Alexander Graham Bell hit on the idea of the telephone at his summer house in Canada.
Arts, sports, science and inventions · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Great Canadian discoveries and inventions
24. A — Provinces can tailor policies to their populations
Federalism lets provinces adopt policies tailored to their populations and gives them flexibility to try new ideas.
How Canadians govern themselves · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 5 How Canadians Govern Themselves, Federal state
25. B — Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic
The Pacific lies to the west, the Atlantic to the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north.
Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic Canada · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, introduction
26. A — Small claims court
Small claims courts hear civil cases involving small sums of money.
The justice system · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 7 The Justice System, Courts
27. C — Personal dignity and self-respect
The guide says work contributes to personal dignity and self-respect, and to Canada's prosperity.
Citizenship responsibilities and the Oath · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Citizenship responsibilities
28. B — 400 years
The guide says the Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for 400 years.
Canadian symbols · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, The Canadian Crown
29. C — They will not adversely affect them
Under Aboriginal peoples' rights, the Charter's guarantees will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights of Aboriginal peoples.
Rights and freedoms · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, the Charter
30. A — Manitoba
Negotiations by the Red River provisional government helped lead to the Manitoba Act and the creation of Manitoba in 1870. The military expedition arrived at Upper Fort Garry later, in August. Manitoba’s creation should not be described as occurring only after troops retook the fort.
History: the Dominion and the World Wars · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Challenge in the West
31. C — Constitutional monarchy
Canada is a constitutional monarchy: the Sovereign is head of state and exercises the role within Canada’s constitutional system. Canada is also a parliamentary democracy and a federal state.
Who we are: founding peoples and diversity · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Who We Are, introduction
32. A — The United States
The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner in goods and services. This does not mean Canada must also be the United States’ largest partner; rankings differ by country and measure.
Canada's economy · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 9 Canada's Economy, Canada and the United States
33. D — Put an X in the circle next to your candidate
You mark an X in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice, then fold the ballot.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, Voting procedures
34. A — The second Monday of October
Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October; Labour Day is the first Monday of September.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, National public holidays
35. C — L'Anse aux Meadows
The remains of the Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows are a World Heritage site.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The first Europeans
36. C — A secret network helping enslaved people escape
The Underground Railroad was a network of people and safe routes helping enslaved people escape, including to Canada. Free Black people, people who escaped slavery and other abolitionists, including faith communities, played important roles.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Abolition of slavery
37. B — Summer daylight can last up to 24 hours
At sufficiently northern latitudes, summer daylight can last 24 hours and winter brings periods without sunrise. The duration depends on latitude; not every community in the three territories has three months of darkness.
Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, The Northern territories
38. A — 1960
In 1960, registered First Nations people gained the unconditional right to vote federally without giving up their status. Inuit, Métis and some First Nations people had different earlier voting histories, so 1960 is not a single first-vote date for all Indigenous people.
Modern Canada since 1945 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, A changing society
39. C — Dr. Wilder Penfield
Dr. Wilder Penfield was a pioneering brain surgeon at McGill University in Montreal, known as the greatest living Canadian.
Arts, sports, science and inventions · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Great Canadian discoveries and inventions
40. B — It passes both chambers and receives royal assent
A federal bill must pass both the House of Commons and the Senate and receive royal assent. Provincial legislatures have their own process and do not include the federal Senate.
How Canadians govern themselves · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 5 How Canadians Govern Themselves, Parliamentary democracy
41. D — Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s most easterly province. Newfoundland is an island, while Labrador is on the mainland.
Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic Canada · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, Newfoundland and Labrador
42. C — To settle disputes
Laws are made by elected representatives, the courts settle disputes and the police enforce the laws.
The justice system · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 7 The Justice System, introduction
43. A — A Notice to Appear to Take the Oath
The guide says you receive a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship with the date, time and place of the ceremony.
Citizenship responsibilities and the Oath · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Applying for Citizenship — After the test
44. B — Adults aged 55 and over
Adults who are 55 or older when they sign their application are outside the usual language-proof requirement. Age is assessed at signing, and IRCC has specific waiver and application rules.
Canadian symbols · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, Canada's official languages
45. B — Great Britain
One of the sources of Canadian law is the unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain.
Rights and freedoms · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, introduction
46. A — Manitoba
In 1916 Manitoba became the first province to grant voting rights to women.
History: the Dominion and the World Wars · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Women get the vote
47. D — Aboriginal, French and British
The guide says understanding Canada means knowing its three founding peoples: Aboriginal, French and British.
Who we are: founding peoples and diversity · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Who We Are, introduction
48. D — Manufacturing industries
Manufacturing industries make products such as paper, high-tech equipment, aerospace technology, automobiles and machinery.
Canada's economy · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 9 Canada's Economy, Three main types of industries
49. B — The governing party does not hold a majority of seats
A minority government’s party does not hold more than half the seats. It must obtain support from other MPs to maintain confidence.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, After an election
50. C — Italy
Triquet earned the V.C. leading the attack on Casa Berardi in Italy in 1943 during the Second World War.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, The Victoria Cross
51. C — The Sioux
The guide says the Sioux were nomadic and followed the bison (buffalo) herd, while the Huron-Wendat and Iroquois farmed and hunted.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Aboriginal peoples
52. A — Sir Leonard Tilley
Sir Leonard Tilley, a Father of Confederation from New Brunswick, suggested the name, inspired by Psalm 72.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Dominion from sea to sea
53. B — Ontario
Ontario has a large and longstanding Francophone population, the largest provincial Francophone population outside Quebec. Its history includes Indigenous peoples, French communities, Loyalists and later arrivals.
Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, Ontario
54. A — The discovery of oil in Alberta
The guide says the discovery of oil in Alberta in 1947 began Canada's modern energy industry.
Modern Canada since 1945 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Trade and economic growth
55. C — Kenojuak Ashevak
Kenojuak Ashevak pioneered modern Inuit art through etchings, prints and soapstone sculptures.
Arts, sports, science and inventions · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Arts and culture in Canada
56. D — Five years
The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years; Lieutenant Governors normally serve five years too.
How Canadians govern themselves · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 5 How Canadians Govern Themselves, Constitutional monarchy
57. D — Second largest
Canada is the second largest country on earth, at 10 million square kilometres.
Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic Canada · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, introduction
58. D — Someone you know has gone missing
The guide says you can ask police for help after an accident, theft, assault, when you see a crime, or if someone has gone missing.
The justice system · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 7 The Justice System, Police
59. C — The oath form
You must sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form to confirm that you took the oath. For a virtual ceremony, sign it on the day of your oath and return it as instructed in your invitation.
Citizenship responsibilities and the Oath · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Applying for Citizenship — After the test
60. C — 1921
Red and white, colours of France and England since the Middle Ages, have been Canada's national colours since 1921.
Canadian symbols · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, Flags in Canada
61. C — The supremacy of God and the rule of law
The Charter opens with the words that Canada is founded upon principles recognizing the supremacy of God and the rule of law.
Rights and freedoms · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, the Charter
62. A — Over 130,000
Canada trained more than 130,000 Allied aircrew under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. It was a major Canadian contribution to the Allied war effort; the number does not establish a ranking against every other country’s entire air effort.
History: the Dominion and the World Wars · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The Second World War
63. A — The Great Upheaval
During the war between Britain and France, more than two-thirds of the Acadians were deported, an ordeal known as the Great Upheaval.
Who we are: founding peoples and diversity · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Who We Are, English and French
64. C — Service, manufacturing, natural resources
The guide divides Canada's economy into service industries, manufacturing industries and natural resources industries.
Canada's economy · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 9 Canada's Economy, Three main types of industries
65. D — The PM asks the Governor General to call an election
A confidence defeat commonly leads to a request for dissolution and an election. Resignation and another government able to command confidence can also be possible; an immediate election is not the only constitutional outcome.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, After an election
66. B — 96
The guide says the V.C. has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, The Victoria Cross
67. D — European demand for beaver pelts
The French and Aboriginal people collaborated in a vast fur trade driven by demand for beaver pelts in Europe.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Royal New France
68. D — The Duke of Wellington
Wellington chose Bytown as the end of the Rideau Canal, part of forts meant to stop another U.S. invasion, so he helped found the capital.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The War of 1812
69. D — Lake Michigan
The guide lists the Great Lakes as Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan (in the U.S.A.) and Superior.
Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, Ontario
70. D — Cyprus
Canada has taken part in UN peacekeeping in places such as Egypt, Cyprus and Haiti.
Modern Canada since 1945 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, International engagement
71. C — Modern abstract art
Les Automatistes, most notably Jean-Paul Riopelle, were pioneers of modern abstract art in the 1950s.
Arts, sports, science and inventions · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Arts and culture in Canada
72. D — The Governor General
The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada and is appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
How Canadians govern themselves · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 5 How Canadians Govern Themselves, Constitutional monarchy
73. D — The Prairie Provinces
The five regions are the Atlantic Provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, the West Coast and the Northern Territories.
Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic Canada · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, introduction
74. A — The Federal Court of Canada
The Federal Court handles judicial review of many federal administrative decisions, including immigration matters. Its statutory jurisdiction is specific; not every case involving the federal government starts there.
The justice system · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 7 The Justice System, Courts
75. C — Taking responsibility for oneself and one's family
The guide gives getting a job, caring for family and working hard as examples of taking responsibility for oneself and one's family.
Citizenship responsibilities and the Oath · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Citizenship responsibilities
76. D — The flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston
The red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College in Kingston, founded in 1876.
Canadian symbols · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, Flags in Canada
77. B — 1215
Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms, was signed in England in 1215.
Rights and freedoms · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Magna Carta
78. A — Former Austro-Hungarian subjects, mainly Ukrainians
Over 8,000 former Austro-Hungarian subjects, mainly Ukrainian men, were interned in 24 labour camps, though Britain advised against it.
History: the Dominion and the World Wars · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The First World War
79. A — The late 1990s
Parks Canada describes residential schools continuing into the late 1990s. This corrects an older study-guide summary ending in the 1980s. Indigenous children, families and communities experienced lasting harms from the system.
Who we are: founding peoples and diversity · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Who We Are, Aboriginal peoples
80. C — Service industries
Banking, tourism and health care are service activities. Manufacturing makes goods, while primary resource activities include extraction, farming and fishing.
Canada's economy · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 9 Canada's Economy, Three main types of industries
81. B — To peacefully oppose or improve government proposals
Opposition parties, those not in power, peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, After an election
82. B — Alexander Roberts Dunn
Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn, born in present-day Toronto, earned the first Canadian V.C. in the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, The Victoria Cross
83. B — Voyageurs and coureurs des bois
The canoe-travelling traders were called voyageurs and coureurs des bois and formed strong alliances with First Nations.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Struggle for a continent
84. A — She walked about 30 km to warn of an American attack
In 1813 Laura Secord made a dangerous 30 km journey on foot to warn of a planned attack, helping win the Battle of Beaver Dams.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, The War of 1812
85. C — The Gold Rush
Thousands of miners came to Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s, celebrated in the poetry of Robert W. Service.
Regions: Central Canada, the Prairies, the West Coast and the North · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, Yukon
86. B — The Canada Health Act
The Canada Health Act ensures common elements and a basic standard of coverage in health care.
Modern Canada since 1945 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Trade and economic growth
87. D — Dr. John A. Hopps
John A. Hopps helped develop an early external electronic pacemaker. He worked with medical researchers; this is not a claim that he alone invented every form of pacemaker.
Arts, sports, science and inventions · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 4 Modern Canada, Great Canadian discoveries and inventions
88. D — Education
Provinces are responsible for education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, highways and municipal government.
How Canadians govern themselves · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 5 How Canadians Govern Themselves, Federal state
89. A — Ten provinces and three territories
Canada has ten provinces and three territories, each with its own capital city.
Regions: geography, the capital and Atlantic Canada · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 10 Canada's Regions, introduction
90. A — Ontario and Quebec
Ontario and Quebec have their own provincial police; the RCMP serves as provincial police everywhere else.
The justice system · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 7 The Justice System, Police
91. D — Joining the cadets
The guide says young people can learn discipline, responsibility and skills by getting involved in the cadets.
Citizenship responsibilities and the Oath · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Defending Canada
92. D — Quebec
The fleur-de-lys was the symbol of French royalty; in 1948 Quebec adopted its own flag based on the Cross and the fleur-de-lys.
Canadian symbols · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, The fleur-de-lys
93. D — Magna Carta
The guide traces an 800-year tradition of ordered liberty to Magna Carta, signed in England in 1215.
Rights and freedoms · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 1 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Magna Carta
94. A — Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation and encouraged immigration to the West; he is on the $5 bill.
History: the Dominion and the World Wars · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Moving westward
95. C — 2008
The guide says the federal government formally apologized to former residential school students in 2008.
Who we are: founding peoples and diversity · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Who We Are, Aboriginal peoples
96. A — Natural resource commodities
The guide says many regions still depend on natural resources and a large percentage of Canada's exports are natural resource commodities.
Canada's economy · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 9 Canada's Economy, Three main types of industries
97. C — The governing party holds more than half the seats
A majority government’s party holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons. Exactly half is not a majority.
Federal elections and voting · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 6 Federal Elections, After an election
98. B — July 1
Canada Day is celebrated on July 1, the anniversary of Confederation in 1867.
Honours and national holidays · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 8 Canadian Symbols, National public holidays
99. C — People loyal to the Crown who fled the American Revolution
More than 40,000 people loyal to the Crown fled the American Revolution to settle in Nova Scotia and Quebec.
History: first peoples to 1791 · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, United Empire Loyalists
100. C — Federal and provincial
The Fathers of Confederation created two levels of government, federal and provincial; each province elects its own legislature.
History: 1791 to Confederation · Based on: Discover Canada (IRCC online edition, 2026), Ch. 3 Canada's History, Confederation

Original practice questions by Canada Exam Prep, written from the official handbook. Not official test questions. Free to print for personal study.

FAQ

Citizenship test questions and answers (printable PDF): common questions

Does IRCC publish the citizenship test questions as a PDF?

No. The real test questions are not public. What IRCC does publish for free is the study guide, Discover Canada, as web pages, a PDF, an eBook and an audio recording, and the guide includes a short list of study questions of its own. Every question on this sheet is original, written by us from that guide.

How do I save this page as a PDF?

Press the print button, then choose Save as PDF instead of a printer on your phone or computer. The site menu, buttons and ads are hidden in the printed version, and the answer key prints on its own pages.

What score on this sheet means I am ready?

The real pass mark is 15 of 20, or 75 percent, which would be 75 here. Aim for 90 or more without looking at the key, the same margin as 18 of 20 on a mock exam, and reread the guide section named under every question you miss.

Canadian Citizenship Test Questions and Answers – Printable PDF