Free practice questions
Canadian Citizenship Test: Canada's History Questions
Quick answer: Questions on Canada's History come from the official Discover Canada guide and appear on the real citizenship test (20 questions, 45 minutes, 75% to pass). Below are 30 practice questions with answers and explanations. Ready to be tested? Take a free timed practice test.
The history of Canada from Aboriginal peoples through Confederation and key events shaping the nation. These Canada's History questions are drawn from this section of the official Discover Canada guide — the only source for the real test.
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Canada's History practice questions and answers
1. Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?
Answer: Sir John Alexander Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald was Canada's first Prime Minister and a Father of Confederation.
2. What was the Canadian Pacific Railway and why was it important?
Answer: A transcontinental railway completed in 1885 that united Canada from east to west
The Canadian Pacific Railway, completed in 1885, linked Eastern Canada to British Columbia. It was a condition of BC joining Confederation and essential for national unity.
3. How many Canadians died in the Korean War (1950-53)?
Answer: 500
About 500 Canadians died during the Korean War (1950-53). Over 26,000 served in what is sometimes called "Canada's forgotten war."
4. When was the Canadian Pacific Railway completed?
Answer: November 7 1885
The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed on November 7, 1885.
5. Who is known as the 'Father of New France'?
Answer: Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain is known as the "Father of New France." He founded Quebec City in 1608 and established the French colonial presence in Canada.
6. Who invented basketball?
Answer: James Naismith
James Naismith, a Canadian from Ontario, invented basketball in 1891 while teaching in Massachusetts. It has grown into one of the world's most popular sports.
7. Who suggested the term 'Dominion' from Psalm 72 for the new country?
Answer: Sir Leonard Tilley
Sir Leonard Tilley suggested the term "Dominion" from Psalm 72 ("He shall have dominion from sea to sea") for the new country at Confederation in 1867.
8. Who keeps the flag flying in Canada's Arctic?
Answer: The Canadian Rangers
The Canadian Rangers are part-time reservists who patrol Canada's remote northern regions. They maintain sovereignty in the Arctic and provide vital support in their communities.
9. When did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the Canadian Constitution?
Answer: 1982.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms became part of the Constitution in 1982 when Canada patriated its Constitution from Britain. It was signed by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982.
10. In what year was the Hudson's Bay Company established?
Answer: 1670
In 1670, King Charles II of England granted the Hudson's Bay Company exclusive trading rights over the watershed draining into Hudson Bay.
11. Which province was the first in the British Empire to move toward abolishing slavery?
Answer: Upper Canada (Ontario)
In 1793, Upper Canada, led by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, became the first province in the Empire to move toward abolition of slavery.
12. Who was the Métis' greatest military leader?
Answer: Gabriel Dumont
Gabriel Dumont was the Métis' greatest military leader, serving as Louis Riel's military commander during the North-West Resistance of 1885.
13. What did Count Frontenac famously say when the English demanded Quebec's surrender in 1690?
Answer: 'My only reply will be from the mouths of my cannons!'
Count Frontenac refused to surrender Quebec to the English in 1690, famously declaring: 'My only reply will be from the mouths of my cannons!'
14. Who invented the telephone?
Answer: Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in Brantford, Ontario in 1874. He made the first long-distance call between Brantford and Paris, Ontario.
15. What did the Canadian Pacific Railway symbolize?
Answer: Unity.
The Canadian Pacific Railway, completed in 1885, symbolized national unity by connecting Eastern Canada to British Columbia. It fulfilled a promise made when BC joined Confederation and united the country.
16. Who had played an important part in building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)?
Answer: Chinese railroad workers.
Chinese labourers played a vital role in building the CPR through dangerous mountain terrain in British Columbia. Thousands came from China, and many lost their lives during construction.
17. On D-Day (June 6, 1944), Canadian troops stormed which beach?
Answer: Juno Beach
Canadian troops stormed Juno Beach on D-Day (June 6, 1944). Despite heavy casualties, they advanced further inland than any other Allied force on the first day.
18. What was the Durham Report?
Answer: A report recommending responsible government after the 1837-38 rebellions
The Durham Report (1839) recommended responsible government after the rebellions of 1837-38 in Upper and Lower Canada. It shaped Canada's path toward democratic self-governance.
19. During WWII, the Royal Canadian Navy became the _____ largest navy in the world.
Answer: Third
During WWII, the Royal Canadian Navy grew to become the third-largest navy in the world, playing a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic against German U-boats.
20. Who championed women's suffrage in Quebec?
Answer: Thérèse Casgrain
Thérèse Casgrain championed women's suffrage in Quebec for nearly 20 years, finally succeeding in 1940. She later led the national NDP and was appointed to the Senate.
21. When did Manitoba and the Northwest Territories join Confederation?
Answer: 1870
Manitoba and the Northwest Territories joined Confederation in 1870. Manitoba's entry was negotiated partly through the efforts of Métis leader Louis Riel.
22. Who drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway?
Answer: Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona)
Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona) drove the last spike of the CPR at Craigellachie, BC on November 7, 1885. The iconic photo of this moment symbolizes Canadian unity.
23. Major-General Robert Ross is known for what during the War of 1812?
Answer: Burning down the White House in Washington
Major-General Robert Ross led British forces (including Canadians) that captured Washington, D.C. and burned the White House during the War of 1812.
24. Who is the famous poet of the Yukon?
Answer: Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service is the famous poet of the Yukon, known for poems about the Klondike Gold Rush era and northern life.
25. Whose portrait appears on the Canadian ten-dollar bill?
Answer: Sir John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald's portrait appears on the ten-dollar bill.
26. Terry Fox began the Marathon of Hope to raise money for what?
Answer: Cancer research
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980 to raise money for cancer research after losing his leg to the disease. His annual run continues to raise millions worldwide.
27. What was the Women's Suffrage Movement?
Answer: The effort by women to achieve the right to vote.
The Women's Suffrage Movement was the effort by women to achieve the right to vote. Manitoba was the first province to grant women the vote in 1916, and federal voting rights followed in 1918.
28. In the 1960s, Quebec experienced an era of rapid change. What is this called?
Answer: The Quiet Revolution.
The Quiet Revolution (Révolution tranquille) was a period of rapid social and political change in Quebec during the 1960s. It modernized Quebec society, expanded the role of government, and strengthened French-Canadian identity.
29. 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.
30. Which Act granted, for the first time in Canada, legislative assemblies elected by the people?
Answer: The Constitutional Act of 1791.
The Constitutional Act of 1791 divided Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada and granted elected legislative assemblies for the first time, giving colonists a voice in governance.
Which Canada's History questions do people get wrong most?
Ranked from real practice answers on this site, hardest first. Each link shows how people answered and the most common mistake.
- Which colony was the first in the British Empire to move toward abolition of slavery in 1793?37% correct
- Which Act granted, for the first time in Canada, legislative assemblies elected by the people?39% correct
- Who keeps the flag flying in Canada's Arctic?49% correct
- Who was the first leader of a responsible government in the Canadas in 1849?52% correct
- Who led Quebec into Confederation?53% correct
- Which of the following statements about residential schools is NOT true?54% correct
- Who was Sir Sam Steele?58% correct
- What action did the Canadian government take in 1988 regarding Japanese Canadians interned during WWII?59% correct
- Who led an armed uprising and seized Fort Garry?59% correct
- When did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the Canadian Constitution?60% correct
- What did the Canadian Pacific Railway symbolize?61% correct
- Why is the battle of Vimy Ridge important?63% correct
- Who is considered the Father of Confederation?68% correct
- Who had played an important part in building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)?69% correct
- Who is considered the father of Manitoba?71% correct
- Who is General Sir Arthur Currie?72% correct
- What does Confederation mean?72% correct
- What happened at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham?74% correct
- In 1670 what did King Charles II of England grant to the Hudson's Bay Company?74% correct
- Are the Canadian Rangers part of the Canadian Forces Reserves (militia)?74% correct
- What is the "head tax"?74% correct
- When did the British North America Act come into effect?76% correct
- Approximately how many Canadians served in the First World War?76% correct
- In the 1960s, Quebec experienced an era of rapid change. What is this called?78% correct
- What year was Confederation?79% correct
- Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?82% correct
- What was the Women's Suffrage Movement?82% correct
- What was the "Underground Railroad"?84% correct
- What did the Fathers of Confederation do?84% correct
- Who was Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine?84% correct
- Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada?86% correct
- What is the significance of the discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best?86% correct
- Which of the following sentences best describes the War of 1812?87% correct
- What was the significance of June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy?94% correct
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