Who were the Voyagers?
Quick answer: Montreal-based traders who travelled by canoe. In our practice tests 63% of 103 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Explorers searching for the North-West Passage”.
Why is this the correct answer?
The Voyageurs were Montreal-based fur traders who travelled by canoe along rivers and lakes to trade with Indigenous peoples. They were key to the fur trade that shaped early Canadian commerce.
Study Tip
The Voyagers were a group of explorers who played a significant role in the early history of Canada. Think about the era and the geographical region they were associated with.
What should you know about this topic?
The voyageurs were Montreal-based traders and canoe men who travelled by canoe to carry goods and furs across North America. Discover Canada describes them as part of the fur trade, which shaped early Canada. They paddled long distances on rivers and lakes, carrying heavy loads over portages between waterways.
The fur trade was one of Canada's first major industries. European demand for beaver pelts, used to make fashionable hats, drove traders deep into the continent. French-Canadian voyageurs and coureurs des bois worked closely with First Nations peoples, who knew the land and trade routes. Montreal's North West Company competed with the Hudson's Bay Company, which was granted trading rights in 1670 to the lands draining into Hudson Bay. The two companies merged in 1821.
Voyageurs often worked in large freight canoes and were known for their strength, endurance and songs. Many formed families with Indigenous women, and their descendants contributed to the growth of the Métis people. The voyageurs helped open trade routes that linked eastern Canada to the West and the North. For the test, connect this question with the fur trade, the Hudson's Bay Company, the coureurs des bois, the Métis and the role of First Nations in early commerce.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Immigrants to Canada in the 18th Century: The voyageurs were traders, not a general group of immigrants.
- Explorers searching for the North-West Passage: Explorers such as Henry Hudson searched for the Passage; voyageurs worked in the fur trade.
- Geographers who first charted the coastline of British Columbia: Captain George Vancouver and others charted the West Coast; voyageurs paddled canoes in the interior.
What is the most common mistake?
Voyageurs were not explorers searching for the North-West Passage or mapmakers. They were fur traders and canoe men based in Montreal.
How can you remember the answer?
"Voyageur" means traveller in French: picture a canoe full of furs leaving Montreal.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
63% of 103 practice answers from about 68 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Explorers searching for the North-West Passage", chosen 17% 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 27th hardest 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.