Who were the United Empire Loyalists?
Quick answer: Settlers who came to Canada from the United States during the American Revolution. In our practice tests 90% of 108 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Métis”.
Why is this the correct answer?
United Empire Loyalists were settlers who fled the United States to Canada during the American Revolution (1775-1783) because they wished to remain loyal to the British Crown.
Study Tip
The United Empire Loyalists were individuals who had a specific connection to the British Empire, and their migration to Canada was a result of a significant historical event. They were primarily from a country that was involved in a major conflict with the British at the time.
What should you know about this topic?
The United Empire Loyalists were people who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution and came to British North America from the Thirteen Colonies. Discover Canada explains that more than 40,000 Loyalists resettled in Nova Scotia and Quebec. They came from many backgrounds, including Dutch, German, British, Scandinavian, Aboriginal and other origins, and from different religious faiths. About 3,000 Black Loyalists, both freedmen and slaves, also came north.
The arrival of the Loyalists changed the population and politics of the British colonies. Joseph Brant led thousands of Loyalist Mohawk Indians into Canada. The large number of English-speaking Loyalists in the western part of Quebec led to the Constitutional Act of 1791, which divided the Province of Quebec into Upper Canada (later Ontario) and Lower Canada (later Quebec). The Loyalists brought traditions of representative government and helped found many towns in the Maritimes and Ontario.
This question connects to other history topics on the test, such as the arrival of the British after 1759, the Quebec Act of 1774, the creation of Upper and Lower Canada, the War of 1812, and the beginnings of responsible government. It also connects to the history of Black Canadians, as many Black Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia. Remember that Loyalists were settlers from the United States, not one of the Aboriginal peoples.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Inuit: The Inuit are the Aboriginal people of the Arctic, not settlers who came from the Thirteen Colonies.
- Métis: The Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, mostly in the Prairies, not settlers from the American Revolution.
- Aboriginal peoples: Aboriginal peoples lived in North America long before Europeans arrived; although some Mohawks were Loyalists, the Loyalists as a whole were not Aboriginal peoples.
What is the most common mistake?
Some learners think the Loyalists were an Aboriginal group because Mohawks led by Joseph Brant were among them. The term refers to settlers who left the United States to stay loyal to Britain.
How can you remember the answer?
"Loyal to the King, they left the Revolution": Loyalists stayed loyal to Britain and moved north to Canada.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
90% of 108 practice answers from about 79 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Métis", 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 34th easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Who We Are chapter is 79% 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 Who We Are questions.
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Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Who We Are 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 43 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.