Printable Canadian citizenship practice questions

1. To whom do new citizens pledge allegiance in the Oath of Citizenship?

1. A. The Prime Minister of Canada
2. B. The Governor General
3. C. His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada
4. D. The Parliament of Canada

2. When is the Oath of Citizenship taken?

1. A. When applying for permanent residence
2. B. When first arriving in Canada
3. C. At the citizenship ceremony
4. D. When registering to vote

3. How does Discover Canada describe the Sovereign?

1. A. As the head of the federal government
2. B. As a symbol of Canadian sovereignty and a guardian of constitutional freedoms
3. C. As the commander of the Canadian Armed Forces only
4. D. As the head of the courts

4. Whose rights are specifically recognized and affirmed in the Constitution referenced in the Oath?

1. A. New immigrants only
2. B. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples
3. C. Official language minorities only
4. D. Permanent residents

5. Canada's Head of State is:

1. A. Elected every four years
2. B. Appointed by Parliament
3. C. A hereditary Sovereign
4. D. Chosen by the provinces

6. According to Discover Canada, Canada is personified by:

1. A. The Prime Minister
2. B. The Sovereign
3. C. Parliament
4. D. The Constitution

7. The Oath mentions allegiance to the King and:

1. A. His political party
2. B. His Heirs and Successors
3. C. His personal advisors
4. D. His government ministers

8. At the citizenship ceremony, you will:

1. A. Write the citizenship test
2. B. Take the Oath, sign the oath form and receive your citizenship certificate
3. C. Apply for permanent residence
4. D. Have your language skills assessed

9. What does the Oath require new citizens to fulfil?

1. A. Military service obligations
2. B. Duties as a Canadian citizen
3. C. A financial contribution to the state
4. D. Residency in a specific province

10. If you pass the citizenship test and meet the other requirements, what will you receive?

1. A. A Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship
2. B. A permanent resident card
3. C. A Canadian passport
4. D. A request to retake the test

1. Which document guarantees the rights and freedoms of Canadians?

1. A. The British North America Act
2. B. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
3. C. The Declaration of Independence
4. D. The Bill of Rights 1689

2. Is military service mandatory in Canada?

1. A. Yes, for all citizens
2. B. Yes, for men only
3. C. No, it is voluntary
4. D. Only during wartime

3. What are the sources of Canadian law?

1. A. Only laws passed by Parliament
2. B. Only English common law
3. C. Parliament, provincial legislatures, English common law, the civil code of France, and the unwritten constitution
4. D. Only the Constitution

4. Serving on a jury when called is:

1. A. Optional
2. B. A responsibility of citizenship
3. C. Only for lawyers
4. D. A paid profession

5. Voting in elections is considered:

1. A. Optional and not encouraged
2. B. A responsibility of citizenship
3. C. Only important during wartime
4. D. A requirement only for new citizens

6. Freedom of the press falls under which fundamental freedom?

1. A. Freedom of religion
2. B. Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression
3. C. Freedom of assembly
4. D. Freedom of association

7. Helping others in the community is considered:

1. A. A legal requirement
2. B. A responsibility of citizenship
3. C. A paid job
4. D. Optional for citizens only

8. Protecting the environment and heritage is:

1. A. Only the government's job
2. B. A shared responsibility of citizens
3. C. Only the responsibility of Parks Canada
4. D. Not mentioned in the guide

9. Which list names four fundamental freedoms that Canadians enjoy?

1. A. Voting, serving on a jury, obeying the law, and helping others
2. B. Conscience and religion; thought, belief, opinion and expression; peaceful assembly; association
3. C. Life, liberty, property, and happiness
4. D. Movement, speech, religion, and trade

10. Taking responsibility for oneself and one's family is:

1. A. Only expected of permanent residents
2. B. A responsibility of Canadian citizenship
3. C. Not mentioned in the guide
4. D. A legal obligation enforced by courts

1. Which three groups are recognized as Aboriginal peoples in the Constitution of Canada?

1. A. English, French, and Scottish
2. B. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
3. C. Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox
4. D. Anglophones, Francophones, and Allophones

2. What are the two official languages of Canada?

1. A. English and Spanish
2. B. English and French
3. C. French and German
4. D. English and Indigenous languages

3. Which group of Aboriginal peoples is mainly concentrated in the Prairie provinces?

1. A. First Nations
2. B. Inuit
3. C. Métis
4. D. Huron

4. Which language do the Métis traditionally speak?

1. A. Cree
2. B. Michif
3. C. Inuktitut
4. D. Ojibwe

5. Which religious group is the largest single denomination in Canada?

1. A. Anglican
2. B. United Church
3. C. Roman Catholic
4. D. Baptist

6. Since when have most newcomers to Canada come from Asian countries?

1. A. Since the 1920s
2. B. Since the 1950s
3. C. Since the 1970s
4. D. Since the 2000s

7. The federal government must provide services in:

1. A. English only
2. B. French only
3. C. Both English and French
4. D. All languages spoken in Canada

8. The Métis are a distinct people of mixed ancestry. What is their heritage?

1. A. Aboriginal and Asian
2. B. Aboriginal and European
3. C. French and British
4. D. Inuit and First Nations

9. You are at a federal government office. In which languages can you request service?

1. A. Only the language of the province you are in
2. B. Either English or French
3. C. English, French, or any Aboriginal language
4. D. Only English

10. Canadians are bound together by a shared commitment to:

1. A. A single religion
2. B. The rule of law and parliamentary democracy
3. C. One official language
4. D. A single cultural tradition

1. Which four provinces formed Confederation in 1867?

1. A. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia
2. B. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
3. C. Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland
4. D. Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan

2. Who composed "In Flanders Fields"?

1. A. Sir Arthur Currie
2. B. John McCrae
3. C. Sir Isaac Brock
4. D. Wilfrid Laurier

3. Approximately how many Canadians served in the First World War?

1. A. About 60,000
2. B. About 250,000
3. C. Over 600,000
4. D. Over 1 million

4. Who became the first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation?

1. A. Sir George-Étienne Cartier
2. B. Sir Wilfrid Laurier
3. C. Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine
4. D. Sir Leonard Tilley

5. Who led the Métis during the Red River uprising of 1869–70?

1. A. Gabriel Dumont
2. B. Louis Riel
3. C. Joseph Brant
4. D. Charles de Salaberry

6. Jacques Cartier made three voyages across the Atlantic between which years?

1. A. 1497–1510
2. B. 1534–1542
3. C. 1604–1620
4. D. 1670–1690

7. At the Battle of Châteauguay in 1813, how many soldiers under de Salaberry defeated 4,000 Americans?

1. A. About 100
2. B. About 460
3. C. About 2,000
4. D. About 5,000

8. Which event happened first: Confederation or the Battle of the Plains of Abraham?

1. A. Confederation (1867)
2. B. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759)
3. C. They happened in the same year
4. D. Neither event actually occurred

9. When did Manitoba and the Northwest Territories join Canada?

1. A. 1867
2. B. 1870
3. C. 1885
4. D. 1905

10. Which event came first: most Canadian women gaining the federal vote or D-Day?

1. A. D-Day (1944)
2. B. Most Canadian women gaining the federal vote (1918)
3. C. They happened in the same year
4. D. Neither event occurred before 1950

1. When did Canada's modern energy industry begin?

1. A. With the discovery of oil in Alberta in 1947
2. B. With the completion of the CPR in 1885
3. C. With Confederation in 1867
4. D. With the founding of Hudson's Bay Company in 1670

2. What is the modern name for unemployment insurance in Canada?

1. A. Old Age Security
2. B. Employment Insurance
3. C. Canada Pension Plan
4. D. Social Assistance

3. Who invented the sport of basketball?

1. A. Wayne Gretzky
2. B. James Naismith
3. C. Terry Fox
4. D. Michael Ondaatje

4. What were the Quebec sovereignty referendums of 1980 and 1995?

1. A. Votes on joining the United States
2. B. Votes on whether Quebec should separate from Canada
3. C. Votes on French language rights
4. D. Votes on Confederation

5. When was unemployment insurance introduced in Canada?

1. A. 1927
2. B. 1940
3. C. 1965
4. D. 1982

6. When did Japanese Canadians gain the right to vote?

1. A. 1918
2. B. 1948
3. C. 1960
4. D. 1982

7. Which of the following is a famous Canadian writer?

1. A. William Shakespeare
2. B. Margaret Laurence
3. C. Ernest Hemingway
4. D. Charles Dickens

8. What is multiculturalism in Canada?

1. A. A policy that requires everyone to speak three languages
2. B. A defining feature of Canadian identity that celebrates diverse traditions
3. C. A law that bans foreign cultural practices
4. D. A temporary government program that ended in the 1990s

1. What are the three parts of Parliament?

1. A. Prime Minister, Cabinet, MPs
2. B. The Sovereign, the Senate, and the House of Commons
3. C. Federal, provincial, municipal
4. D. Executive, legislative, judicial

2. Who represents the Sovereign in each province?

1. A. Premier
2. B. Lieutenant Governor
3. C. Governor General
4. D. Senator

3. Which level of government is responsible for education and health care?

1. A. Federal
2. B. Provincial / territorial
3. C. Municipal
4. D. Shared equally by all levels

4. What is the final step before a federal bill becomes law?

1. A. First reading
2. B. Committee stage
3. C. Royal Assent
4. D. Third reading in the Commons

5. Which of the following is a federal responsibility?

1. A. Education
2. B. Snow removal
3. C. Currency
4. D. Highways

6. Until what age do Senators serve?

1. A. 65
2. B. 70
3. C. 75
4. D. For life

7. During which stage is a bill studied in detail and amendments may be proposed?

1. A. First reading
2. B. Second reading
3. C. Committee stage
4. D. Royal Assent

8. Which of the following is NOT a step in a federal bill becoming law?

1. A. First reading
2. B. Committee stage
3. C. A national referendum
4. D. Royal Assent

9. What role do Cabinet ministers play?

1. A. They serve as judges in the Supreme Court
2. B. They run the federal government departments
3. C. They represent the Sovereign in the provinces
4. D. They are elected members of the Senate

10. A bill must pass through both the House of Commons and which other body before receiving Royal Assent?

1. A. The Cabinet
2. B. The Senate
3. C. The Supreme Court
4. D. The provincial legislatures

1. How are Members of Parliament chosen?

1. A. Appointed by the Prime Minister
2. B. Elected by voters in their local electoral district (riding)
3. C. Selected by provincial premiers
4. D. Appointed by the Governor General

2. When are federal elections held in Canada?

1. A. On the first Tuesday in November every four years
2. B. On the third Monday in October every four years
3. C. Every five years on July 1
4. D. On the third Monday in October every five years

3. What is a majority government?

1. A. A government formed by two parties together
2. B. A government holding at least half the seats in the House of Commons
3. C. A government supported by all provinces
4. D. A government appointed by the Senate

4. What is the role of the Official Opposition?

1. A. To choose the Cabinet ministers
2. B. To peacefully oppose or try to improve the government's proposals
3. C. To control the budget
4. D. To appoint Senators

5. What is the National Register of Electors?

1. A. A list of citizenship applicants
2. B. The database used to produce the voters' lists for federal elections
3. C. A list of MPs and Senators
4. D. A list of party members

6. Federal ballots in Canada are:

1. A. Public
2. B. Secret
3. C. Signed
4. D. Verbal

7. Before election day, each registered voter receives:

1. A. A ballot in the mail
2. B. A voter information card with their polling station location
3. C. A telephone reminder from the PM
4. D. A list of all candidates' platforms

8. What is a minority government?

1. A. A government that represents only minority groups
2. B. A government holding fewer than half the seats in the House of Commons
3. C. A government formed by three or more parties
4. D. A government that only lasts one year

9. You are a permanent resident of Canada, not a citizen. Can you vote in a federal election?

1. A. Yes, all residents can vote
2. B. Yes, after living in Canada for five years
3. C. No, only Canadian citizens can vote in federal elections
4. D. Yes, if you own a home in Canada

10. After the ballot is marked, the voter places it in:

1. A. An electronic scanner
2. B. A ballot box
3. C. An envelope mailed to Ottawa
4. D. A recycling bin

1. What is the highest court in Canada?

1. A. The Federal Court of Canada
2. B. The Supreme Court of Canada
3. C. The Court of King's Bench
4. D. The Provincial Court of Appeal

2. What is the presumption of innocence?

1. A. Everyone is guilty until proven innocent
2. B. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty
3. C. Only first-time offenders are presumed innocent
4. D. Only Canadian citizens are presumed innocent

3. Who do laws in Canada apply to?

1. A. Only ordinary citizens
2. B. Everyone — including police, governments, and public officials
3. C. Only those born in Canada
4. D. Only adults

4. What can someone do if they cannot afford a lawyer?

1. A. Represent themselves only
2. B. Apply for legal aid
3. C. Request a Senator's help
4. D. File a federal complaint

5. What is one main purpose of laws in Canada?

1. A. To raise revenue for the government
2. B. To provide order in society and settle disputes peacefully
3. C. To control the press
4. D. To enforce religious belief

6. Which type of court handles minor civil disputes involving small amounts of money?

1. A. Federal Court
2. B. Small claims court
3. C. Supreme Court
4. D. Court of Appeal

7. Who is responsible for enforcing the law in Canada?

1. A. Only the RCMP
2. B. Police forces at federal, provincial, and municipal levels
3. C. The Canadian Armed Forces
4. D. Volunteer citizen patrols

8. Which of the following is NOT a court in Canada?

1. A. Supreme Court of Canada
2. B. Federal Court of Canada
3. C. Provincial Court of Appeal
4. D. International Court of Canada

9. Which of the following is NOT a purpose of laws in Canada?

1. A. To provide order in society
2. B. To settle disputes peacefully
3. C. To enforce a particular religion
4. D. To express the values and beliefs of Canadians

10. A friend tells you that government officials do not have to follow the law. Is this correct?

1. A. Yes, government officials are exempt from most laws
2. B. No — under the rule of law, everyone must follow the law, including government officials
3. C. Yes, but only in matters of national security
4. D. No, but police officers are exempt

1. What is Canada's national winter sport?

1. A. Curling
2. B. Hockey
3. C. Skiing
4. D. Lacrosse

2. What is Canada's national summer sport?

1. A. Baseball
2. B. Soccer
3. C. Lacrosse
4. D. Canadian football

3. What is the meaning of the Remembrance Day poppy?

1. A. A symbol of summer
2. B. To remember the sacrifice of Canadians who served or died in wars
3. C. A symbol of agriculture
4. D. A welcome to immigrants

4. Which of the following is part of the Canadian Coat of Arms?

1. A. Symbols of England, France, Scotland, Ireland, and maple leaves
2. B. Eagles and stars
3. C. The crowned lion only
4. D. Crossed hockey sticks

5. Since when has the maple leaf been used on Canadian uniforms and insignia?

1. A. Since the 1700s
2. B. Since the 1850s
3. C. Since 1921
4. D. Since 1965

6. When was the Canadian Coat of Arms adopted?

1. A. At Confederation in 1867
2. B. After the First World War
3. C. In 1965 when the flag was adopted
4. D. In 1982 with the Charter

7. The Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for approximately:

1. A. 100 years
2. B. 200 years
3. C. 400 years
4. D. 1,000 years

8. The fleur-de-lys appears on the provincial flag of:

1. A. Ontario
2. B. Nova Scotia
3. C. Quebec
4. D. British Columbia

9. When did French Canadians begin using the maple leaf as a symbol?

1. A. In the 1600s
2. B. In the 1700s
3. C. In the 1850s
4. D. In 1921

1. What are the three main types of industries in Canada?

1. A. Agriculture, fishing, mining
2. B. Service, manufacturing, and natural resources
3. C. Oil, gas, and coal
4. D. Technology, finance, and tourism

2. When did NAFTA come into effect?

1. A. 1982
2. B. 1988
3. C. 1994
4. D. 2000

3. Which of the following is a service industry?

1. A. Mining
2. B. Forestry
3. C. Banking
4. D. Automobile manufacturing

4. Which of the following is a major Canadian export?

1. A. Energy products
2. B. Semiconductors only
3. C. Tropical fruit
4. D. Rubber

5. According to Discover Canada, how does Canada's economy rank in the world?

1. A. About the 100th largest economy in the world
2. B. About the 50th largest economy in the world
3. C. One of the ten largest economies in the world
4. D. One of the smallest economies in the world

6. According to Discover Canada, about how many people did NAFTA include in 2008?

1. A. 100 million
2. B. 250 million
3. C. 444 million
4. D. 1 billion

7. You are looking for work in Canada. Which industry sector employs the most Canadians?

1. A. Manufacturing
2. B. Natural resources
3. C. Service industries
4. D. Agriculture

8. Canadian manufacturing industries produce goods such as:

1. A. Only timber and fish
2. B. Paper, high-tech equipment, aerospace products, and automobiles
3. C. Only oil and gas
4. D. Only agricultural products

9. Which of the following are examples of Canadian service industries?

1. A. Forestry, fishing, and mining
2. B. Transportation, banking, and tourism
3. C. Aerospace, automobiles, and machinery
4. D. Oil, gas, and coal

10. Oil and gas production belongs to which type of Canadian industry?

1. A. Service industries
2. B. Manufacturing industries
3. C. Natural resources industries
4. D. Technology industries

1. How many provinces and territories does Canada have?

1. A. 10 provinces and 2 territories
2. B. 10 provinces and 3 territories
3. C. 9 provinces and 3 territories
4. D. 11 provinces and 3 territories

2. Which is Canada's most populous province?

1. A. Quebec
2. B. Ontario
3. C. British Columbia
4. D. Alberta

3. What is the capital of Nova Scotia?

1. A. St. John's
2. B. Charlottetown
3. C. Halifax
4. D. Fredericton

4. What is the capital of Nunavut?

1. A. Whitehorse
2. B. Yellowknife
3. C. Iqaluit
4. D. Churchill

5. Which lake, bordering Ontario, is the world's largest freshwater lake?

1. A. Lake Huron
2. B. Lake Ontario
3. C. Lake Superior
4. D. Lake Erie

6. What is the capital of Saskatchewan?

1. A. Saskatoon
2. B. Regina
3. C. Winnipeg
4. D. Calgary

7. What is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador?

1. A. Halifax
2. B. Charlottetown
3. C. St. John's
4. D. Corner Brook

8. Canada is grouped into how many distinct geographic regions?

1. A. Three
2. B. Four
3. C. Five
4. D. Seven

9. What is Canada's highest mountain?

1. A. Mount Royal
2. B. Mount Robson
3. C. Mount Logan
4. D. Mount Columbia

10. Which of the following is NOT an Atlantic province?

1. A. Nova Scotia
2. B. New Brunswick
3. C. Ontario
4. D. Prince Edward Island