How are Senators chosen?
Quick answer: Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. In our practice tests 92% of 93 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “By the Governor General of Canada”.
Why is this the correct answer?
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Unlike MPs, Senators are not elected. They can serve until age 75 and represent their region in the Senate.
Study Tip
Senators are chosen through a process involving the head of the Canadian government, but not directly elected by the people. It's a role that involves some level of discretion and recommendation.
What should you know about this topic?
The Senate is the upper house of Canada's Parliament. Senators are not elected. Instead, they are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. In practice, the Prime Minister chooses the person, and the Governor General makes the appointment official. Senators may serve until age 75.
The Senate has 105 seats, divided among the regions and provinces. Its main job is to give "sober second thought" to bills passed by the House of Commons. Senators study, amend, and either approve or reject bills. A bill must pass both the House of Commons and the Senate, and then receive Royal Assent, before it becomes law. Seats are divided by region so that smaller provinces have a voice. For example, Ontario and Quebec each have 24 senators, the Western provinces have 6 each, and each territory has one. Senators often study issues in depth through committees and reports, and their review can improve laws before they are passed.
This question tests how Canada's system of responsible government works. Many powers belong formally to the Crown, but they are used on the advice of elected ministers who answer to the House of Commons. Compare this with Members of Parliament, who are elected by voters in each electoral district. For the test, remember the three parts of Parliament (the Sovereign, the Senate, and the House of Commons) and how a bill becomes law.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Appointed by the King: The King does not personally choose senators. His representative, the Governor General, appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice.
- By the Premiers of all provinces: Provincial premiers do not appoint senators. Premiers lead provincial governments and have no formal role in choosing senators.
- By the Governor General of Canada: This is only half the answer. The Governor General makes the appointment, but only on the advice of the Prime Minister.
What is the most common mistake?
People often pick an answer that is only half right, such as "by the Governor General" or "by the King." The full answer is that the Governor General appoints senators on the Prime Minister's advice.
How can you remember the answer?
"PM picks, GG signs": the Prime Minister recommends, and the Governor General appoints.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
92% of 93 practice answers from about 63 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "By the Governor General of Canada", chosen 5% of the time. The data covers practice tests on BecomeACitizen.ca from March 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
How hard is this question compared with others?
It is the 25th easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the How Canadians Govern Themselves chapter is 77% correct, and the average across all questions is 75%. You need 75% to pass the real test.
These are practice questions written from the official Discover Canada guide. IRCC does not publish the real test questions. See the full ranking in the 20 most-missed citizenship test questions or browse more How Canadians Govern Themselves questions.
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Test yourself with questions from How Canadians Govern Themselves. Timed mock tests, instant scoring, and detailed explanations.
Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the How Canadians Govern Themselves section of the Canadian citizenship test. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Discover Canada study guide. You need to score at least 75% (15 out of 20 correct) to pass.
This chapter has 47 questions in our database. Studying chapter by chapter is one of the most effective ways to prepare, as it helps you build deep understanding of each topic before moving to the next.
How should you study for the citizenship test?
Start by reading the complete how-to-pass guide, then work through each chapter in the study mode. When you feel ready, take a full exam simulation with the real 45-minute time limit.