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Federal Elections and Levels of Government

How Canadians vote, what happens after an election, and who does what at each level of government.

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All 83 questions, with answers

Open a question to see its answer, why, and the official page it comes from.

  1. 1.

    What are three responsibilities of citizenship?

    • ABeing loyal to Canada, recycling newspapers, serving in the navy, army or air force.
    • BObeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family, serving on a jury.Answer
    • CLearning both official languages, voting in elections, belonging to a union.
    • DBuying Canadian products, owning your own business, using less water.

    Why: The guide lists obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family, and serving on a jury among the responsibilities of citizenship. The other options mix in things that may be worth doing but that the guide never asks of a citizen.

  2. 2.

    How are Members of Parliament chosen?

    • AThey are appointed by the United Nations.
    • BThey are chosen by the provincial premiers.
    • CThey are elected by voters in their local constituency (riding).Answer
    • DThey are elected by landowners and police chiefs.

    Why: The voters in each electoral district elect the member of Parliament who sits in the House of Commons to represent them. The candidate who receives the most votes in that district becomes its MP.

  3. 3.

    Which of these is one of the four fundamental freedoms protected by the Charter?

    • AFreedom of peaceful assemblyAnswer
    • BThe right to housing paid for by the government
    • CThe right to a job in the public service
    • DThe right to carry a weapon for self-defence

    Why: The fundamental freedoms are conscience and religion; thought, belief, opinion and expression, including speech and the press; peaceful assembly; and association.

  4. 4.

    Habeas corpus — the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state — comes from which source?

    • AEnglish common lawAnswer
    • BThe Official Languages Act
    • CThe charter of the United Nations
    • DA treaty signed with the United States

    Why: The guide traces habeas corpus specifically to English common law, one of the several sources Canadian law draws on.

  5. 5.

    In what year was Magna Carta signed in England?

    • A1415
    • B1215Answer
    • C1815
    • D1615

    Why: Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms, was signed in England in 1215 and is where Canada’s tradition of ordered liberty is traced back to.

  6. 6.

    In what year was the Constitution amended to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

    • A1867
    • B1965
    • C1982Answer
    • D1999

    Why: The Constitution of Canada was amended in 1982 to entrench the Charter.

  7. 7.

    Canada has compulsory military service.

    • ATrue
    • BFalseAnswer

    Why: There is no compulsory military service in Canada. Serving in the regular forces or the reserves is voluntary.

  8. 8.

    Which of these does the guide list as a responsibility of citizenship?

    • AJoining a political party
    • BServing on a jury when you are calledAnswer
    • COwning your own home
    • DFlying the flag on Canada Day

    Why: Jury duty is a legal requirement when you are called: the justice system depends on impartial juries made up of citizens.

  9. 9.

    What do mobility rights give Canadians?

    • AThe right to live and work anywhere in Canada, to enter and leave the country freely, and to apply for a passportAnswer
    • BThe right to settle in any Commonwealth country
    • CThe right to free transport between provinces
    • DThe right to keep citizenship of another country

    Why: Mobility rights are one of the additional rights the Charter sets out beyond the fundamental freedoms.

  10. 10.

    In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: The equality of women and men is stated directly in the guide, and gender-based violence is severely punished under Canada’s criminal laws.

  11. 11.

    Helping others in the community by volunteering is listed in the guide as a responsibility of citizenship.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: The guide lists helping others in the community among the responsibilities, noting that millions of volunteers donate their time without pay.

  12. 12.

    Besides the regular Canadian Forces, which way of serving does the guide mention?

    • AThe Coast Guard, or community emergency services such as a police force or fire departmentAnswer
    • BCompulsory national service at the age of eighteen
    • CTwo years of service in a federal government department
    • DService in the armed forces of a Commonwealth country

    Why: The guide names the Coast Guard and community emergency services, as well as the part-time naval, militia and air reserves.

  13. 13.

    The Charter of Rights and Freedoms begins by stating that Canada is founded upon principles that recognize what?

    • APeace, order and good government
    • BThe supremacy of God and the rule of lawAnswer
    • CLiberty, equality and fraternity
    • DThe sovereignty of Parliament

    Why: Those are the Charter’s opening words. “Peace, Order, and Good Government” is a key phrase too, but it comes from the British North America Act of 1867, not the Charter.

  14. 14.

    The freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression protected by the Charter includes freedom of the press.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: The guide states this freedom as including freedom of speech and of the press.

  15. 15.

    Which right does the Charter describe as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity?

    • AMulticulturalismAnswer
    • BFree health care
    • CPublic ownership of natural resources
    • DCompulsory voting

    Why: The Charter names multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity, alongside mobility, Aboriginal and language rights.

  16. 16.

    How old is the tradition of ordered liberty that Canadian rights rest on?

    • AAbout 200 years old
    • BAbout 400 years old
    • CAbout 800 years oldAnswer
    • DAbout 50 years old

    Why: It dates back to the signing of Magna Carta in England in 1215.

  17. 17.

    How does the Charter treat the treaty rights of Aboriginal peoples?

    • AThe Charter replaces all existing treaties
    • BThe rights guaranteed in the Charter will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights of Aboriginal peoplesAnswer
    • CTreaty rights apply only on reserve land
    • DThe Charter does not mention Aboriginal peoples

    Why: Aboriginal and treaty rights are in the Canadian Constitution.

  18. 18.

    What do the official language rights in the Charter mean?

    • AEvery Canadian must learn both official languages
    • BEvery federal employee must be bilingual
    • CFrench and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout the governmentAnswer
    • DOnly English may be used in Parliament

    Why: The Charter sets this out alongside minority language educational rights. Learning both official languages is not a requirement of citizenship — IRCC’s own sample question lists it among things that are not responsibilities.

  19. 19.

    What are examples of taking responsibility for yourself and your family?

    • AGetting a job, caring for your family, and working hard in keeping with your abilitiesAnswer
    • BBuying Canadian products
    • CBelonging to a union
    • DOwning your own business

    Why: Work contributes to personal dignity and self-respect, and to Canada’s prosperity.

  20. 20.

    The responsibility to vote covers which elections?

    • AFederal elections only
    • BFederal and provincial elections only
    • COnly elections held every four years
    • DFederal, provincial or territorial, and local electionsAnswer

    Why: The right to vote comes with the responsibility to use it at every level of government.

  21. 21.

    What does the responsibility to protect our heritage and environment involve?

    • ARecycling newspapers
    • BAvoiding waste and pollution, and protecting Canada’s natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generationsAnswer
    • CIt applies only to people who own property
    • DOnly the federal government is responsible for this

    Why: Every citizen has a role to play. Recycling newspapers sounds close, but IRCC’s own sample question lists it among the things that are not responsibilities of citizenship.

  22. 22.

    What does the guide say volunteering gives the volunteer?

    • AIt is paid work
    • BIt counts toward the residence requirement for citizenship
    • CAn excellent way to gain useful skills and develop friends and contactsAnswer
    • DIt is required before applying for citizenship

    Why: Millions of volunteers freely donate their time to help others without pay.

  23. 23.

    Which services make up the regular Canadian Forces?

    • AThe navy, the army and the air forceAnswer
    • BThe navy, the air force and the Coast Guard
    • CThe army, the air force and the police
    • DThe army, the militia and the cadets

    Why: The Coast Guard is named separately as another way to serve, alongside community emergency services. There are also part-time naval, militia and air reserves.

  24. 24.

    According to the guide, how can young people learn discipline, responsibility and skills?

    • AThrough a compulsory year of national service
    • BBy getting involved in the cadetsAnswer
    • CThrough mandatory volunteering before citizenship
    • DThrough a required secondary school course

    Why: There is no compulsory military service in Canada, and nothing here is mandatory.

  25. 25.

    How does Canada treat practices such as “honour killings”, female genital mutilation and forced marriage?

    • AThey are tolerated as cultural practices
    • BThey are left for each community to settle
    • CThey are permitted if both families agree
    • DThose guilty of these crimes are severely punished under Canada’s criminal lawsAnswer

    Why: Men and women are equal under the law in Canada, and the guide states plainly that the country’s openness does not extend to barbaric cultural practices.

  26. 26.

    When did the term “First Nations” begin to be used?

    • AIn the 1860s
    • BIn the 1970sAnswer
    • CIn the 1990s
    • DIn 2008

    Why: “Indian” refers to all Aboriginal people who are not Inuit or Métis. Today about half of First Nations people live on reserve land in about 600 communities, and the other half live off-reserve, mainly in urban centres.

  27. 27.

    Roughly what share of Aboriginal people are First Nations, Métis and Inuit?

    • AAbout 65% First Nations, 30% Métis and 4% InuitAnswer
    • BAbout 50% First Nations, 40% Métis and 10% Inuit
    • CAbout 80% First Nations, 15% Métis and 5% Inuit
    • DAbout one third each

    Why: The term Aboriginal peoples refers to these three distinct groups.

  28. 28.

    Gay and lesbian Canadians enjoy the full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: The guide names this as part of Canada’s diversity.

  29. 29.

    Experiences of warfare or conflict in the country someone came from justify bringing violent, extreme or hateful prejudices to Canada.

    • ATrue
    • BFalseAnswer

    Why: The guide says such experiences do not justify it. In becoming Canadian, newcomers are expected to embrace democratic principles such as the rule of law.

  30. 30.

    Where are the ancestors of Aboriginal peoples believed to have migrated from, many thousands of years ago?

    • AEurope
    • BAsiaAnswer
    • CAfrica

    Why: They were well established here long before explorers from Europe first came to North America.

  31. 31.

    The majority of Canadians were born in this country, and this has been true since the 1800s.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: Canada is still often referred to as a land of immigrants, because over the past 200 years millions of newcomers have helped to build and defend its way of life.

  32. 32.

    Which three words describe Canada’s system of government?

    • AA federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchyAnswer
    • BA republic, a direct democracy and a federation
    • CA unitary state, a presidential democracy and a monarchy
    • DA commonwealth, a parliamentary republic and a confederation

    Why: The guide states these as the three key facts about Canada’s system of government.

  33. 33.

    What are the three parts of Parliament?

    • AThe Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the House of Commons
    • BThe Sovereign, the Senate and the House of CommonsAnswer
    • CThe Governor General, the Supreme Court and the Senate
    • DThe provinces, the territories and the federal government

    Why: Parliament is made up of the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.

  34. 34.

    Until what age do senators serve?

    • AAge 65
    • BAge 70
    • CAge 80
    • DAge 75Answer

    Why: Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.

  35. 35.

    What must happen before a bill can become law in Canada?

    • AIt must be approved in a national referendum
    • BIt must be approved by a majority of the provinces
    • CIt must be passed by both chambers and receive royal assentAnswer
    • DIt must be signed by all the provincial premiers

    Why: Royal assent is granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign, after both chambers have passed the bill.

  36. 36.

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

    • AThe Sovereign is the head of state; the Prime Minister is the head of government and directs the governing of the countryAnswer
    • BThe Sovereign runs the government; the Prime Minister is ceremonial
    • CThey share the same role in turn
    • DThe Sovereign leads the Senate; the Prime Minister leads the House of Commons

    Why: The guide draws a clear distinction between the head of state and the head of government.

  37. 37.

    Who represents the Sovereign in each of the ten provinces?

    • AThe Premier
    • BThe Commissioner
    • CThe Lieutenant GovernorAnswer
    • DThe mayor of the capital city

    Why: The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, normally for five years. In the three territories the Commissioner represents the federal government instead.

  38. 38.

    What are the three branches of government?

    • AFederal, provincial and municipal
    • BThe Executive, the Legislative and the JudicialAnswer
    • CThe Crown, the Senate and the House of Commons
    • DThe Cabinet, the Opposition and the Courts

    Why: The Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches work together, and sometimes in creative tension, which helps secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians. The three levels of government are a different thing.

  39. 39.

    Which of these is a federal government responsibility?

    • AEducation
    • BHealth
    • CHighways
    • DCitizenshipAnswer

    Why: Federal responsibilities include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship. Education, health and highways are provincial.

  40. 40.

    Which areas do the federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over?

    • AAgriculture and immigrationAnswer
    • BDefence and currency
    • CEducation and health
    • DCriminal law and citizenship

    Why: The guide names agriculture and immigration as shared jurisdiction.

  41. 41.

    In which document were the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments defined in 1867?

    • AThe Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • BThe British North America Act, now the Constitution Act, 1867Answer
    • CThe Quebec Act
    • DThe Official Languages Act

    Why: The British North America Act of 1867 is now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.

  42. 42.

    The three northern territories have the same status as provinces.

    • ATrue
    • BFalseAnswer

    Why: The territories have small populations and do not have the status of provinces, though their governments and assemblies carry out many of the same functions.

  43. 43.

    When must federal elections be held under legislation passed by Parliament?

    • AOn the first Tuesday in November every five years
    • BWhenever the Senate decides
    • COn the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general electionAnswer
    • DOn July 1 every three years

    Why: The Prime Minister may also ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.

  44. 44.

    Who is eligible to vote in a Canadian federal election?

    • AAny resident of Canada aged 18 or older
    • BA Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on voting day and is on the voters’ listAnswer
    • CAny permanent resident who has lived in Canada for five years
    • DAny citizen who owns property in the electoral district

    Why: All three conditions must be met: citizenship, age on voting day, and being on the voters’ list.

  45. 45.

    What is Elections Canada?

    • AA department of the Prime Minister’s Office
    • BA committee of the Senate
    • CA private company hired to run elections
    • DA neutral agency of Parliament that produces the voters’ listsAnswer

    Why: Elections Canada produces the voters’ lists from the National Register of Electors.

  46. 46.

    Your employer has the right to insist that you tell them how you voted.

    • ATrue
    • BFalseAnswer

    Why: Canadian law secures the right to a secret ballot. You may discuss your vote if you choose, but no one — not family, an employer or a union representative — may insist.

  47. 47.

    What is a majority government?

    • AOne where the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of CommonsAnswer
    • BOne where the party in power won a majority of the popular vote
    • COne formed by two or more parties together
    • DOne where the party in power holds every seat in the Senate

    Why: If the party in power holds less than half of the seats, it is a minority government.

  48. 48.

    After an election, which party usually forms the government?

    • AThe party chosen by the Senate
    • BThe party with the most seats in the House of CommonsAnswer
    • CThe party with the most members across the provinces
    • DThe party that held power before the election

    Why: The Governor General invites the leader of that party to form the government, and after being appointed that leader becomes Prime Minister.

  49. 49.

    What is the role of the opposition parties?

    • ATo appoint the Cabinet ministers
    • BTo run the federal government departments
    • CTo peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposalsAnswer
    • DTo prepare the federal budget

    Why: The opposition party with the most members in the House of Commons is the Official Opposition. Preparing the budget and running departments are Cabinet’s work.

  50. 50.

    What are the three levels of government in Canada?

    • AExecutive, legislative and judicial
    • BFederal, provincial or territorial, and municipalAnswer
    • CCrown, Senate and Commons
    • DNational, regional and community

    Why: Each level has its own elected officials: MPs federally, MLAs/MNAs/MPPs/MHAs provincially, and a mayor or reeve with councillors municipally.

  51. 51.

    What are the laws passed by a municipal council called?

    • AStatutes
    • BRegulations
    • CBy-lawsAnswer
    • DOrdinances of the Crown

    Why: By-laws affect only the local community.

  52. 52.

    Cabinet ministers must resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: Cabinet ministers are responsible to the elected representatives and must retain the confidence of the House.

  53. 53.

    In a province, whose role is similar to that of the Prime Minister federally?

    • AThe Lieutenant Governor
    • BThe PremierAnswer
    • CThe Commissioner
    • DThe Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

    Why: The Premier is to a province what the Prime Minister is federally, just as the Lieutenant Governor is to the Governor General.

  54. 54.

    What does the Cabinet do?

    • AIt hears appeals from the provincial courts
    • BIt appoints the Governor General
    • CIt makes important decisions, prepares the budget and proposes most new lawsAnswer
    • DIt supervises the provincial legislatures

    Why: The Cabinet is the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers, who also run the federal government departments.

  55. 55.

    If you do not receive a voter information card, you can no longer be added to the voters’ list.

    • ATrue
    • BFalseAnswer

    Why: You can be added to the voters’ list at any time, including on election day.

  56. 56.

    What is a matter of confidence in the House of Commons?

    • AA vote on a major issue such as the budgetAnswer
    • BAny vote held on a Friday
    • CA vote held in the Senate
    • DThe election of the Speaker

    Why: If a majority of members vote against a major government decision, the party in power is defeated, which usually results in an election being called.

  57. 57.

    What does federalism allow the provinces to do?

    • AAdopt policies tailored to their own populations, and experiment with new ideas and policiesAnswer
    • BOpt out of federal criminal law
    • CSign their own treaties with foreign countries
    • DIssue their own currency

    Why: Criminal law and currency are federal responsibilities, and so is foreign policy.

  58. 58.

    What does every province have?

    • AIts own senate
    • BIts own elected Legislative Assembly, like the House of Commons in OttawaAnswer
    • CIts own supreme court of final appeal
    • DIts own Governor General

    Why: Provincial legislatures comprise the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly. The Supreme Court of Canada is the country’s highest court, and there is one Governor General for the whole country.

  59. 59.

    What are elected representatives responsible for?

    • AAppointing judges and senators
    • BEnforcing the laws
    • CPassing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountableAnswer
    • DSettling disputes between citizens

    Why: The police enforce the laws and the courts settle disputes. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

  60. 60.

    What happens at the committee stage of a bill?

    • ACommittee members study the bill clause by clauseAnswer
    • BThe bill receives royal assent
    • CMembers vote on the bill for the last time
    • DThe bill is printed for the first time

    Why: Royal assent is the last step, the final vote is the third reading, and printing happens at first reading.

  61. 61.

    What role does the Sovereign play in Parliament?

    • ALeads the party with the most seats
    • BChairs Cabinet meetings
    • CAn important, non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegianceAnswer
    • DAppoints the Leader of the Opposition

    Why: The Sovereign is the Head of State; the Prime Minister, as head of government, is the one who directs the governing of the country and chooses the Cabinet.

  62. 62.

    Which of these countries does the guide also name as a constitutional monarchy?

    • AThe United States
    • BFrance
    • CGermany
    • DJapanAnswer

    Why: The guide lists Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco. Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America.

  63. 63.

    What is the National Register of Electors?

    • AA permanent database of Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older who are qualified to voteAnswer
    • BA list of everyone living in Canada
    • CA record of how each elector voted
    • DA list kept by each political party

    Why: Elections Canada produces the voters’ lists from it. How you voted is secret — no record of it exists.

  64. 64.

    How do you mark a federal ballot?

    • AWrite the candidate’s name in full
    • BMark an “X” in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choiceAnswer
    • CNumber every candidate in order of preference
    • DSign your name beside your choice

    Why: You mark it behind a screen, fold it, and the poll official tears off the ballot number and gives it back to you to deposit in the ballot box. Signing it would break the secrecy of the ballot.

  65. 65.

    Which of these is normally a municipal responsibility?

    • ACitizenship
    • BSnow removal and garbage removalAnswer
    • CNatural resources
    • DForeign policy

    Why: Municipalities also handle planning, streets and roads, firefighting, ambulance and other emergency services, recreation facilities and public transit. Citizenship and foreign policy are federal; natural resources are provincial.

  66. 66.

    Who has major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, including housing and schools?

    • ABand chiefs and councillorsAnswer
    • BThe Lieutenant Governor of the province
    • CThe municipal mayor
    • DThe Senate

    Why: A number of provincial, regional and national Aboriginal organizations are also a voice for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in their dealings with government.

  67. 67.

    The Citizenship Regulations require an applicant to understand which characteristics of Canada’s system of government?

    • AIts characteristics as a federal republic
    • BIts characteristics as a constitutional monarchyAnswer
    • CIts characteristics as a direct democracy
    • DIts characteristics as a unitary state

    Why: The Regulations also require a general understanding of Canada’s political and military history, its social and cultural history, and its physical and political geography, plus knowledge of the national symbols.

  68. 68.

    Who may run as a candidate in a federal election?

    • ACanadian citizens who are 18 years old or olderAnswer
    • BAnyone who has lived in Canada for 18 years
    • COnly people appointed by the Governor General

    Why: The people who run for office are called candidates, and there can be many candidates in an electoral district.

  69. 69.

    Which party is the Official Opposition?

    • AThe party with the most seats in the Senate
    • BThe party that forms the government
    • CThe opposition party with the most members of the House of CommonsAnswer
    • DAny party with no members in the House of Commons

    Why: The other parties that are not in power are known as opposition parties. Their role is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.

  70. 70.

    If you cannot or do not wish to vote on election day, what can you do?

    • ANothing — you lose your vote in that election
    • BVote at the advance polls or by special ballotAnswer
    • CVote at any polling station on the day after the election

    Why: The dates and location of the advance polls are on your voter information card. When the polls close, every ballot is counted and the results are made public.

  71. 71.

    Federal elections are held on a fixed date every four years. Who may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election?

    • AThe Leader of the Official Opposition
    • BElections Canada
    • CThe Senate
    • DThe Prime MinisterAnswer

    Why: Under legislation passed by Parliament, federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election.

  72. 72.

    Who chooses the ministers of the Crown?

    • AThe Prime Minister, most of them from among members of the House of CommonsAnswer
    • BVoters, in a separate election
    • CThe Senate
    • DThe Supreme Court of Canada

    Why: Cabinet ministers are responsible for running the federal government departments. Their decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.

  73. 73.

    What are the elected members of a provincial or territorial legislature called?

    • ASenators
    • BMLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs, depending on the province or territoryAnswer
    • CLieutenant Governors

    Why: They are members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), of the National Assembly (MNAs), of the Provincial Parliament (MPPs) or of the House of Assembly (MHAs). The Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in each province.

  74. 74.

    The rules for voting in provincial, territorial and municipal elections are the same as those for federal elections.

    • ATrue
    • BFalseAnswer

    Why: They are also held by secret ballot, but the rules are not the same. The guide says it is important to find out the rules for voting in provincial, territorial and local elections so that you can exercise your right to vote.

  75. 75.

    How is the Governor General chosen?

    • AElected by all Canadians in a national vote
    • BChosen by the House of Commons from among its members
    • CAppointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five yearsAnswer

    Why: The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada. This question is about how the office is filled; who holds it today is on the Facts that change page.

  76. 76.

    What did the House of Commons recognize in 2006?

    • AThat the Quebecois form a nation within a united CanadaAnswer
    • BThat Quebec is Canada’s only officially bilingual province
    • CThat French is Canada’s only official language

    Why: New Brunswick, not Quebec, is the only officially bilingual province, and English and French are both official languages of Canada.

  77. 77.

    Who provides publicly funded education in Canada?

    • AThe federal government
    • BThe provinces and territoriesAnswer
    • CThe Senate

    Why: At Confederation, each province was to elect its own legislature and have control of such areas as education and health.

  78. 78.

    At which stage of the legislative process do members debate a bill’s principle?

    • AFirst Reading
    • BSecond ReadingAnswer
    • CReport Stage
    • DRoyal Assent

    Why: At First Reading the bill is considered read for the first time and is printed. At Report Stage members can make other amendments, and Royal Assent comes after the bill has been passed by both Houses.

  79. 79.

    What does the Canada Health Act ensure?

    • AThat every hospital is run directly by the federal government
    • BThat health care is paid for only by private insurance
    • CCommon elements and a basic standard of coverageAnswer

    Why: The guide presents it among the social assistance programs Canada was able to support as prosperity grew, alongside employment insurance and Old Age Security.

  80. 80.

    What does the word “Inuit” mean?

    • AThe peopleAnswer
    • BOur land
    • CThe north
    • DVillage

    Why: Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language. The Inuit live in small, scattered communities across the Arctic.

  81. 81.

    Which phrase from Canada’s original constitutional document of 1867 do its institutions uphold?

    • A“Liberty, equality and fraternity”
    • B“Peace, Order, and Good Government”Answer
    • C“From sea to sea”
    • D“The supremacy of God and the rule of law”

    Why: It is a key phrase in the British North America Act. “From sea to sea” is the national motto, and “the supremacy of God and the rule of law” opens the Charter.

  82. 82.

    Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America.

    • ATrueAnswer
    • BFalse

    Why: Canada has also inherited the oldest continuous constitutional tradition in the world.

  83. 83.

    What are the two official languages of Canada?

    • AEnglish and Inuktitut
    • BFrench and Michif
    • CEnglish and FrenchAnswer
    • DEnglish only

    Why: The federal government is required by law to provide services throughout Canada in English and French.