Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?
Quick answer: Sir John Alexander Macdonald. In our practice tests 82% of 117 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Sir Wilfrid Laurier”.
Why is this the correct answer?
Sir John Alexander Macdonald was Canada's first Prime Minister and a Father of Confederation.
Study Tip
Consider the historical period when Canada gained independence from Britain. Think about a leader who played a key role in the country's early development.
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1. What did Count Frontenac famously say when the English demanded Quebec's surrender in 1690?
2. Who championed women's suffrage in Quebec?
3. What was the Women's Suffrage Movement?
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Take the full citizenship practice testWhat should you know about this topic?
Sir John Alexander Macdonald was Canada's first Prime Minister. He took office when Canada was created through Confederation on July 1, 1867. Discover Canada describes him as a Father of Confederation who was born in Scotland on January 11, 1815, came to Upper Canada as a child, and became a lawyer in Kingston, Ontario. He was a gifted politician and a colourful personality.
As Prime Minister, Macdonald helped the new country grow from four provinces to stretch from coast to coast. Manitoba and the Northwest Territories joined in 1870, British Columbia in 1871 and Prince Edward Island in 1873. His government promised British Columbia a railway, which led to the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed in 1885. He also created the North West Mounted Police, which later became the RCMP. His portrait appears on the Canadian ten-dollar bill.
This question connects to other Confederation topics, such as the date of Confederation, the four founding provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick), and other Fathers of Confederation. Sir George-Étienne Cartier was Macdonald's key partner from Quebec. Sir Leonard Tilley of New Brunswick suggested the term "Dominion of Canada". Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who served later, was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister. Macdonald led the country for most of its first 25 years, until his death in 1891. Knowing his role is key to many history questions.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Sir Leonard Tilley: Tilley was a Father of Confederation from New Brunswick who suggested the name "Dominion", but he was not Prime Minister.
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier: Laurier was Canada's first French-Canadian Prime Minister, serving from 1896, not the first Prime Minister.
- Sir George-Etienne Cartier: Cartier was a key Father of Confederation from Quebec, but he was never Prime Minister.
What is the most common mistake?
Learners sometimes pick Sir Wilfrid Laurier because he is famous and appears on the five-dollar bill. Laurier was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister, but Macdonald was the first Prime Minister.
How can you remember the answer?
"Mac was first": Macdonald, the first Prime Minister, is on the $10 bill, a round number for number one.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
82% of 117 practice answers from about 87 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Sir Wilfrid Laurier", chosen 9% 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 79th easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Canada's History chapter is 68% 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 Canada's History questions.
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Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Canada's History 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 61 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.