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Canadian Citizenship Test: Federal Elections Questions
Quick answer: Questions on Federal Elections come from the official Discover Canada guide and appear on the real citizenship test (20 questions, 45 minutes, 75% to pass). Below are 21 practice questions with answers and explanations. Ready to be tested? Take a free timed practice test.
How federal elections work, voting rights and responsibilities, and the electoral process. These Federal Elections questions are drawn from this section of the official Discover Canada guide — the only source for the real test.
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1. Who becomes Prime Minister after an election?
Answer: The leader of the party with the most seats
The leader of the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form the government and become Prime Minister.
2. What is a coalition government?
Answer: A government formed by two or more parties together
A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties agree to govern together, sharing cabinet positions and policy responsibilities.
3. 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.
4. What must a person be to vote in a Canadian federal election?
Answer: A Canadian citizen at least 18 years old and on the voters list
Voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list.
5. What are the three major political parties in the House of Commons?
Answer: Conservative Party New Democratic Party and Liberal Party
The three major parties in the House of Commons are the Conservative Party, the NDP, and the Liberal Party.
6. How often are federal elections held?
Answer: Every four years
Federal elections are held every four years under fixed-date election legislation, though early elections can occur if the government loses a confidence vote.
7. Name the major federal political parties in Canada.
Answer: Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Bloc Québécois, Green
The major federal political parties in Canada are the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party (NDP), Bloc Québécois, and Green Party.
8. Who do Canadians vote for in a federal election?
Answer: A candidate they want to represent them in Parliament.
In a federal election, you vote for a candidate to represent your electoral district (riding) in the House of Commons. The candidate with the most votes in your riding wins the seat.
9. Who has the right to run as a candidate in federal elections?
Answer: Any Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old.
Any Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old can run as a candidate in a federal election. There is no property or education requirement.
10. In Canada, are you obliged to tell other people how you voted?
Answer: No, your vote is secret
In Canada, your vote is secret. No one, including your employer, can legally require you to tell them how you voted.
11. A Member of Parliament from Montreal announces that she will spend her weekend in her electoral district. This means she would be:
Answer: In the part of Montreal where she was elected.
An electoral district (also called a riding or constituency) is the specific geographic area that elects an MP. When an MP visits their electoral district, they are visiting the neighbourhood that elected them, not the whole province.
12. What do you mark on a federal election ballot?
Answer: An x
On a federal election ballot, you mark an "X" next to the name of your chosen candidate. The ballot is secret — no one can see who you voted for.
13. What is a voter information card?
Answer: A form that tells you when and where to vote.
A voter information card tells you when and where to vote. It is mailed to registered voters before an election and contains the date, hours, and location of your polling station.
14. What is the term used for an electoral district in Canada?
Answer: Riding (constituency)
Each electoral district in Canada is called a riding or constituency. There are 338 federal ridings across Canada.
15. What is a majority government?
Answer: A government where the ruling party holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons
A majority government is formed when the ruling party holds more than half of the seats in the House of Commons, allowing it to pass legislation without needing support from other parties.
16. Can a Canadian citizen be forced to tell others how they voted?
Answer: No, by law nobody can force you to say how you voted
By law, no one can force you to tell anyone how you voted. The secret ballot is a fundamental principle of Canadian democracy.
17. 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.
18. Can permanent residents vote in federal elections?
Answer: No, only Canadian citizens can vote
Only Canadian citizens aged 18 or older can vote in federal elections. Permanent residents cannot vote until they become citizens.
19. What type of electoral system does Canada use in federal elections?
Answer: First-past-the-post
Canada uses the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each riding wins the seat.
20. 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.
21. 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.
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