Topic
Government
The Crown, Parliament, the three branches and the levels of government.
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All 51 questions, with answers
Open a question to see its answer, why, and the official page it comes from.
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
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.
10.
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.
11.
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.
12.
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.
13.
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.
14.
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.
15.
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.
16.
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.
17.
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.
18.
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.
19.
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.
20.
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.
21.
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.
22.
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.
23.
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.
24.
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.
25.
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.
26.
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.
27.
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.
28.
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.
29.
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.
30.
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.
31.
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.
32.
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.
33.
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.
34.
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.
35.
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.
36.
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.
37.
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.
38.
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.
39.
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.
40.
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.
41.
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.
42.
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.
43.
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.
44.
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.
45.
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.
46.
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.
47.
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.
48.
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.
49.
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.
50.
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.
51.
Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America.
- ATrueAnswer
- BFalse
Why: Canada has also inherited the oldest continuous constitutional tradition in the world.