Which of the following is NOT a feature of Canada's system of government?
Quick answer: Dictatorship. In our practice tests 90% of 96 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Constitutional Monarchy”.
Why is this the correct answer?
Canada is a federal state, parliamentary democracy, and constitutional monarchy — but NOT a dictatorship. Power is distributed and leaders are chosen through democratic elections.
Study Tip
Consider the context of Canada's history and the type of government it has evolved into. Think about the characteristics of a system that values representation and the rule of law.
What should you know about this topic?
Discover Canada explains that there are three key facts about Canada's system of government: Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. A dictatorship, in which one person or group holds power without free elections, is the opposite of Canada's system.
As a federal state, Canada shares power between the federal government and the provincial and territorial governments. As a parliamentary democracy, Canadians elect representatives to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to provincial and territorial legislatures. These representatives make laws, approve and watch over spending, and keep the government accountable. Cabinet ministers must keep the confidence of the elected House, which is called responsible government.
As a constitutional monarchy, Canada has a Sovereign, King Charles III, as Head of State, who reigns in accordance with the Constitution, the rule of law. The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General and in each province by a Lieutenant Governor. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government. Canada's system is based on the rule of law, meaning everyone, including leaders, police and government officials, must obey the law. Related test topics include the three parts of Parliament, the division of federal and provincial powers, and the roles of the Head of State and Head of Government. Each feature limits the power of any one leader.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- A federal state: This is a real feature of Canada. Power is divided between the federal government and the provinces and territories.
- Constitutional Monarchy: This is a real feature of Canada. The Sovereign is Head of State and reigns according to the Constitution.
- Parliamentary democracy: This is a real feature of Canada. Citizens elect representatives to Parliament and to provincial and territorial legislatures.
What is the most common mistake?
Because constitutional monarchy includes a King, some learners think it is not democratic. Canada's monarch reigns under the Constitution, while elected representatives make the laws.
How can you remember the answer?
Canada's government is F-P-C: Federal, Parliamentary, Constitutional. No D for dictatorship.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
90% of 96 practice answers from about 64 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Constitutional Monarchy", chosen 4% 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 36th 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.
Practice This Chapter
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.