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Canadian Citizenship Test Questions & Answers
Quick answer: The Canadian citizenship test has 20 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, and you need 15 correct (75%) to pass. Every question comes from the official Discover Canada guide. Below are 43 sample questions with answers and explanations, organised by chapter. Ready to be tested? Take a free timed practice test.
Oath of Citizenship & Applying
Study the full Oath of Citizenship & Applying chapter →
What will you promise when you take the Oath of Citizenship?
Answer: Pledge allegiance to the King, observe the laws of Canada and fulfil the duties of a Canadian.
The Oath of Citizenship includes pledging allegiance to the King, promising to observe Canadian laws, and fulfilling duties as a Canadian citizen. Taking this oath is the final step to becoming a citizen.
Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Study the full Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship chapter →
In Canada, are you allowed to question the police about their service or conduct?
Answer: Yes, if you feel the need to.
In Canada, citizens have the right to question police about their service and conduct. Police are accountable to the public, and there are formal complaint processes in every province.
What are some examples of taking responsibility for yourself and your family?
Answer: Getting a job, taking care of one's family and working hard in keeping with one's abilities.
Taking responsibility means getting a job, caring for your family, and working hard according to your abilities. These are fundamental responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
What part of the Constitution legally protects the basic rights and freedoms of all Canadians?
Answer: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, part of the Constitution since 1982, legally protects basic rights and freedoms including equality, mobility, legal rights, and fundamental freedoms.
When asked, who must you tell how you voted in a federal election?
Answer: No one.
You are not required to tell anyone how you voted. The secret ballot is a fundamental right in Canadian democracy, protecting voters from coercion or pressure.
Who We Are
Study the full Who We Are chapter →
Who are the Acadians?
Answer: The descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604.
The Acadians are descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604. Many were deported in 1755 (the Great Expulsion) but later returned.
Who were the United Empire Loyalists?
Answer: Settlers who came to Canada from the United States during the American Revolution.
United Empire Loyalists were settlers who fled the United States to Canada during the American Revolution (1775-1783) because they wished to remain loyal to the British Crown.
Who are the Métis?
Answer: A distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry.
The Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, with their own culture, language (Michif), and identity. They played a key role in the development of western Canada.
Who are the Quebecers?
Answer: People of Quebec.
Quebecers (Québécois) are the people of Quebec. The term encompasses everyone living in Quebec, not just descendants of French colonists, reflecting the province's diverse modern identity.
Canada's History
Study the full Canada's History chapter →
When did the British North America Act come into effect?
Answer: 1867.
The British North America Act (now the Constitution Act, 1867) came into effect on July 1, 1867, creating the Dominion of Canada and establishing its system of government.
What year was Confederation?
Answer: 1867.
Confederation occurred in 1867 when Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick united under the British North America Act to form the Dominion of Canada on July 1st.
Which of the following statements about residential schools is NOT true?
Answer: The schools were welcomed by the Aboriginal people.
Residential schools were NOT welcomed by Aboriginal people. Children were forcibly removed from families, prohibited from speaking their languages, and many suffered abuse. Canada formally apologized in 2008.
What is the significance of the discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best?
Answer: Insulin has saved 16 million lives worldwide.
Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin in 1921, saving an estimated 16 million lives worldwide. This breakthrough in treating diabetes is one of Canada's greatest contributions to medicine.
Modern Canada
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What year did Newfoundland and Labrador join Canada?
Answer: 1949
Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada in 1949, becoming the 10th and most recent province. Before joining, it was a self-governing British dominion.
When is Canada Day and what does it celebrate?
Answer: We celebrate the anniversary of Confederation July 1st of each year.
Canada Day is July 1st, celebrating the anniversary of Confederation in 1867. Canadians mark the day with fireworks, parades, and celebrations across the country.
When is Remembrance Day celebrated?
Answer: November 11th.
Remembrance Day is November 11th. Canadians observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. to honour those who served and died in wars, beginning with World War I which ended at the 11th hour on 11/11/1918.
What country is Canada's largest trading partner?
Answer: United States of America.
The United States is Canada's largest trading partner. The two countries share the world's longest undefended border and have one of the largest bilateral trade relationships in the world.
How Canadians Govern Themselves
Study the full How Canadians Govern Themselves chapter →
Which federal political party is in power?
Answer: Liberal Party.
The party in power changes with elections. Always verify the current governing party at the time of your citizenship test, as this information is tested and changes over time.
Who is the King's representative in Canada?
Answer: Governor General of Canada.
The Governor General is the King's representative in Canada at the federal level. They give Royal Assent to bills, open Parliament, and perform ceremonial duties on behalf of the Crown.
What is the role of the Opposition parties?
Answer: To oppose or try to improve government proposals.
Opposition parties oppose or try to improve government proposals. The largest opposition party is the Official Opposition, and its leader plays a key role in holding the government accountable.
How is a Cabinet Minister chosen?
Answer: By the Prime Minister
Cabinet Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister. The Cabinet (also called the Ministry) is made up of MPs and sometimes Senators selected by the PM to lead government departments.
Federal Elections
Study the full Federal Elections chapter →
When you vote on election day, what do you do?
Answer: Go to the voting station with your voter's card and ID, mark an X next to your chosen candidate, fold the ballot and present it to the poll officials who will tear off the ballot number and give you the ballot to deposit in the box
On election day, bring your voter card and ID to your polling station, receive a ballot, mark an X next to your chosen candidate in a private booth, then fold the ballot and deposit it in the box.
When must federal elections be held?
Answer: On the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election.
Federal elections are held on the third Monday in October every four years. However, the PM can call an early election, or one can be triggered by a vote of non-confidence in a minority government.
Who has the right to vote in federal elections?
Answer: A Canadian citizen, 18 years or older, and on voters' list.
To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old. You must also be on the voters' list, which you can register for through Elections Canada.
What should you do if you do not receive a voter information card telling you when and where to vote?
Answer: Call Elections Canada or visit their website.
If you don't receive a voter information card, contact Elections Canada or visit elections.ca. They can confirm your registration and tell you where to vote. Don't assume you can't vote.
The Justice System
Study the full The Justice System chapter →
What is the highest court in Canada?
Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country. Its nine justices have the final say on legal questions, including the interpretation of the Constitution and Charter of Rights.
What is the role of the courts in Canada?
Answer: To settle disputes.
The courts settle disputes and interpret the law. They are independent of the government, ensuring fair and impartial justice. Judges apply the law to resolve disagreements between parties.
Canadian Symbols
Study the full Canadian Symbols chapter →
Which provincial flag features the fleur-de-lys?
Answer: Quebec
Quebec's flag (the Fleurdelisé) features the fleur-de-lys, a symbol of French heritage. The white cross and four fleurs-de-lys on a blue background have been Quebec's flag since 1948.
What song is Canada's national anthem?
Answer: O Canada.
"O Canada" is the national anthem. Originally composed in French in 1880, it was officially adopted as Canada's national anthem in 1980 after being sung for 100 years.
Give the first line of Canada's national anthem?
Answer: O Canada! Our home and native land!
The first line of O Canada is "O Canada! Our home and native land!" The national anthem was first sung in Quebec City in 1880 and was officially adopted as Canada's anthem in 1980.
Which animal is an official symbol of Canada?
Answer: The beaver.
The beaver is an official symbol of Canada, recognized for its industriousness. It appeared on the first Canadian postage stamp in 1851 and reflects the fur trade that shaped early Canadian history.
Canada's Economy
Study the full Canada's Economy chapter →
Which province is the main producer of pulp and paper and hydro-electricity?
Answer: Quebec
Quebec is Canada's main producer of pulp and paper and hydro-electricity. Its vast forests and numerous rivers make it ideal for both industries.
Which port is the largest and busiest in Canada?
Answer: The Port of Vancouver
The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and busiest port, handling over 140 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is a gateway for trade with Asia and the Pacific Rim.
Why is trade with other countries important to Canada?
Answer: It enhances our economy and raises our standard of living.
International trade enhances Canada's economy and raises the standard of living. Canada exports natural resources, manufactured goods, and services, creating jobs and prosperity across the country.
What are the three main types of industry in Canada?
Answer: Natural resources, manufacturing and services.
Canada's three main types of industry are natural resources (mining, forestry, energy), manufacturing (factories, processing), and services (healthcare, education, retail, finance).
Canada's Regions
Study the full Canada's Regions chapter →
Where does Canada rank in the world's largest countries?
Answer: Second
Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area, after Russia. It covers nearly 10 million square kilometres, stretching from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic oceans.
Which province is the only officially bilingual province?
Answer: New Brunswick.
New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada. About one-third of its population is Francophone, largely descended from the Acadians.
Which province has its own time zone?
Answer: Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador has its own time zone (Newfoundland Standard Time), which is 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time — making it unique among Canadian time zones.
Which province was split into two at Confederation?
Answer: The Province of Canada
The Province of Canada (formerly Upper and Lower Canada) was split at Confederation into Ontario and Quebec. Upper Canada became Ontario; Lower Canada became Quebec.
Provincial & Territory Questions
Study the full Provincial & Territory Questions chapter →
Which political party is in power in the Northwest Territories?
Answer: Governed by consensus
The Northwest Territories is governed by consensus, meaning there are no political parties. All MLAs are independents who collectively choose the Premier and Cabinet.
What is the capital City of the Northwest Territories?
Answer: Yellowknife
Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories. Located on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, it is known as the "Diamond Capital of North America."
What is the capital city of Saskatchewan?
Answer: Regina
Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan. The name comes from the Latin word for "Queen," chosen in honour of Queen Victoria.
Which political party is in power in Alberta?
Answer: United Conservative Party
Alberta's governing party can change with provincial elections. Always verify which party currently holds power when studying for your citizenship test.
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