Topic
Laws
The justice system, the courts and the police.
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All 29 questions, with answers
Open a question to see its answer, why, and the official page it comes from.
1.
Which of these is named in the guide as a source of Canadian law?
- AThe Constitution of the United States
- BThe laws of ancient Rome
- CThe civil code of FranceAnswer
- DThe charter of the United Nations
Why: Canadian law draws on laws passed by Parliament and the provincial legislatures, English common law, the civil code of France, and the unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain.
2.
What does the rule of law mean in Canada?
- AIndividuals and governments are regulated by laws and not by arbitrary actions, and no person or group is above the lawAnswer
- BOnly elected officials may interpret the law
- CThe laws apply to citizens but not to visitors
- DEach province decides which federal laws it will follow
Why: The rule of law is one of Canada’s founding principles, and it binds governments as well as people.
3.
What is the presumption of innocence?
- AThat the police must prove they acted lawfully
- BThat everyone is innocent until proven guiltyAnswer
- CThat a person may not be tried twice for the same offence
- DThat the accused does not have to appear in court
Why: The Canadian justice system is founded on this principle in criminal matters, and guarantees everyone due process under the law.
4.
Which is Canada’s highest court?
- AThe Federal Court of Canada
- BThe Supreme Court of CanadaAnswer
- CThe provincial appeal courts
- DThe small claims courts
Why: The Federal Court of Canada deals with matters concerning the federal government; it is not the highest court.
5.
In which two provinces does the RCMP not serve as the provincial police?
- AOntario and QuebecAnswer
- BAlberta and British Columbia
- CNova Scotia and New Brunswick
- DManitoba and Saskatchewan
Why: Ontario and Quebec have their own provincial police forces. The RCMP enforces federal laws throughout Canada and serves as the provincial police everywhere else.
6.
In Canada you are allowed to question the police about their service or conduct.
- ATrueAnswer
- BFalse
Why: Almost all police forces in Canada have a process by which you can bring your concerns to them and seek action.
7.
What can you do if you cannot pay for a lawyer?
- ANothing — you must represent yourself
- BAsk the police to act for you
- CIn most communities there are legal aid services available free of charge or at low costAnswer
- DApply to the Supreme Court of Canada for a lawyer
Why: Lawyers can help you with legal problems and act for you in court.
8.
In Canada the law applies to everyone, including judges, politicians and the police.
- ATrueAnswer
- BFalse
Why: Laws are made by elected representatives, the courts settle disputes and the police enforce the laws — and none of them are above the law.
9.
What is due process?
- AThe principle that the government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the lawAnswer
- BThe rule that every case must be heard by a jury
- CThe requirement that new laws be approved in a referendum
- DThe rule that a trial must finish within thirty days
Why: The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law.
10.
Canada’s legal system is based on a heritage that includes which principles?
- AMajority rule, direct democracy and referendums
- BThe rule of law, freedom under the law, democratic principles and due processAnswer
- CTrial by combat, common consent and royal decree
- DFederalism, bilingualism and multiculturalism
Why: Federalism, bilingualism and multiculturalism describe the country, but the guide names these four as the heritage the legal system rests on.
11.
Who makes the laws in Canada, and who settles disputes about them?
- AThe police make them and the courts enforce them
- BThe courts make them and the police settle disputes
- CElected representatives make them; the courts settle disputes and the police enforce themAnswer
- DThe Governor General makes them and the Senate settles disputes
Why: Laws are the written rules intended to guide people in society, and each of the three has a separate job.
12.
What are Canada’s laws intended to do?
- ATo provide order in society and a peaceful way to settle disputes, and to express the values and beliefs of CanadiansAnswer
- BTo raise revenue for the federal government
- CTo keep the courts busy
- DTo apply to newcomers until they become citizens
Why: The law applies to everyone in Canada, including judges, politicians and the police — not only to newcomers.
13.
What does the Federal Court of Canada deal with?
- AAppeals from the Supreme Court of Canada
- BAll criminal trials in Canada
- CTraffic offences and small claims
- DMatters concerning the federal governmentAnswer
Why: The Supreme Court of Canada is the country’s highest court, so nothing is appealed from it. Traffic and small claims matters go to provincial courts.
14.
What kind of cases do small claims courts hear?
- ASerious criminal offences
- BCivil cases involving small sums of moneyAnswer
- CDisputes between provinces
- DImmigration and citizenship applications
Why: Alongside them are provincial courts for lesser offences, family courts and traffic courts.
15.
What two kinds of court does the guide say most provinces have?
- AA federal court and a municipal court
- BA criminal court and a tax court
- CAn appeal court and a trial courtAnswer
- DA jury court and a judge-only court
Why: The trial court goes by different names in different provinces, and those names have changed over time — the structure is what the test can fairly ask about.
16.
What does the blindfolded Lady Justice symbolize?
- AThat the courts are closed to the public
- BThat judges are appointed rather than elected
- CThe impartial manner in which the laws are administered — blind to all considerations but the factsAnswer
- DThat the accused may not see the evidence against them
Why: It stands with the Scales of Justice at the Vancouver Law Courts.
17.
When can you ask the police for help?
- AAfter an accident, if something is stolen, if you are assaulted, if you see a crime, or if someone you know has gone missingAnswer
- BOnly if you are a Canadian citizen
- COnly for crimes in progress, never for a missing person
- DOnly after you have spoken to a lawyer first
Why: The police are there to keep people safe and to enforce the law, and the guide says plainly that they are there to help you.
18.
Where are there municipal police departments?
- AOnly in Ontario and Quebec
- BIn all provincesAnswer
- CNowhere — the RCMP polices every municipality
- DOnly in the three territories
Why: Provincial police forces, by contrast, exist in Ontario and Quebec; the RCMP serves as the provincial police everywhere else, and in some municipalities too.
19.
What role does the guide give prisons?
- AAn essential role in punishing criminals and deterring crimeAnswer
- BNo role — Canada does not use imprisonment
- CA role only in immigration matters
- DA role limited to holding people before trial
Why: They sit within a justice system founded on due process and the presumption of innocence.
20.
Why does the justice system depend on citizens serving on juries?
- ABecause juries are cheaper than judges
- BBecause the system depends on impartial juries made up of citizensAnswer
- CBecause judges are not allowed to decide guilt
- DBecause juries write the laws they apply
Why: Serving when called is a legal requirement and one of the responsibilities of citizenship.
21.
What can a lawyer do for you?
- AHelp you with legal problems and act for you in courtAnswer
- BDecide whether you are guilty
- CChange a law that you disagree with
- DIssue a police report on your behalf
Why: If you cannot pay for one, most communities have legal aid services free of charge or at low cost. Deciding guilt is the court’s job, and laws are made by elected representatives.
22.
Under the Citizenship Act, what must an applicant have?
- AAn adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenshipAnswer
- BA university degree from a Canadian institution
- CFluency in both official languages
- DTwenty years of residence in Canada
Why: That is the wording of the Act itself. The Citizenship Regulations then set out which subjects that knowledge covers.
23.
What do the Citizenship Regulations require an applicant to understand about Canada’s laws?
- AHow to recite the Criminal Code
- BRespect for the rights, freedoms and obligations set out in the laws of CanadaAnswer
- CThe name of every judge of the Supreme Court
- DFormal legal training
Why: The same section also requires a general understanding of participation in the Canadian democratic process and of participation in Canadian society.
24.
How is Canada governed?
- ABy royal decrees issued by the Sovereign
- BBy customs that vary from region to region
- CBy an organized system of laws — written rules intended to guide people in societyAnswer
- DBy decisions of the Senate
Why: Those rules are made by elected representatives, and no bill becomes law until both chambers have passed it.
25.
What do the provincial courts described in the guide handle?
- ALesser offencesAnswer
- BConstitutional questions
- CMatters concerning the federal government
- DAppeals from the Supreme Court of Canada
Why: Alongside them are family courts, traffic courts and small claims courts. Federal government matters go to the Federal Court of Canada.
26.
If you have a concern about a police force’s service or conduct, what can you do?
- ANothing can be done
- BYou must hire a lawyer before raising it
- CYou must write to the Governor General
- DAlmost all police forces have a process for bringing concerns to them and seeking actionAnswer
Why: The guide states plainly that you are allowed to question the police about their service or conduct.
27.
Besides enforcing federal laws and serving as the provincial police in most provinces, where else does the RCMP police?
- AIn some municipalitiesAnswer
- BOnly on federal property
- COnly at border crossings
- DNowhere else
Why: Ontario and Quebec have their own provincial police forces, and municipal police departments exist in all provinces.
28.
Why does Canada have both an English criminal law tradition and a French civil law tradition?
- AThe Constitution Act, 1982 created two systems
- BThe Quebec Act of 1774 restored French civil law while maintaining British criminal lawAnswer
- CEach province chose its own legal system after 1867
- DThe Supreme Court of Canada ordered it
Why: The Quebec Act is one of the constitutional foundations of Canada. Canadian law draws on English common law and the civil code of France among its several sources.
29.
The Citizenship Regulations require an applicant to have a general understanding of participation in the Canadian democratic process.
- ATrueAnswer
- BFalse
Why: The same section also names participation in Canadian society, including volunteerism, respect for the environment and the protection of Canada’s heritage.