Citizenship Glossary

The joining of provinces to form Canada on July 1, 1867. Initially included Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

A system of government where the monarch (King/Queen) is the head of state, but power is exercised by elected officials under a constitution.

Canada's federal legislative body, consisting of the Sovereign (King/Queen), the Senate, and the House of Commons.

The upper house of Parliament. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The lower house of Parliament. Members (MPs) are elected by Canadian citizens in federal elections.

The King's representative in Canada who carries out the duties of the head of state. Appointed by the PM.

The King's representative in each province, performing similar duties to the Governor General at the provincial level.

Part of the Constitution (since 1982) that protects fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, and equality rights.

The right not to be detained without being charged with a crime. A fundamental legal protection.

The principle that no person or government is above the law. Everyone must follow and obey the law.

A 1215 English document that limited the King's power and established the rule of law. Influenced Canadian law.

A system where the government must have the support of the majority of elected representatives to govern.

A group of government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. Cabinet ministers are responsible for running federal government departments.

An electoral district (also called a constituency). Each riding elects one Member of Parliament.

Canada's electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a riding wins, even without a majority.

A voting method where no one else can see who you voted for, ensuring voting is private and free from intimidation.

Federal transfers to provincial governments to ensure all provinces can provide comparable public services.

The official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test, published by IRCC.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — the federal department responsible for immigration and citizenship.

The oath new citizens must take, swearing allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III and promising to observe Canada's laws.

The treaty that ended the Seven Years' War. France ceded New France (Canada) to Britain.

The 1867 act of the British Parliament that created Canada. Now called the Constitution Act, 1867.

The right to vote. Women gained full federal suffrage in Canada in 1918.

A distinct Aboriginal people of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry, with their own culture and identity.

Indigenous peoples of Arctic Canada. 'Inuit' means 'the people' in Inuktitut.

Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or Inuit. There are over 630 First Nations communities.

Canada's role in international peacekeeping, notably since the 1956 Suez Crisis (Lester B. Pearson's initiative).

Canada's universal publicly funded health care system, available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Canada's official policy of having two official languages: English and French, guaranteed by the Constitution.

Canada's policy of recognizing and celebrating the cultural diversity of all Canadians, enshrined in the Multiculturalism Act of 1988.

November 11th — a day to honor Canadian veterans and fallen soldiers. Marked by wearing a red poppy.

A significant WWI battle (1917) where all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together for the first time.

A national symbol of Canada since the 1700s. The red maple leaf appears on the Canadian flag (adopted 1965).

Canada's national police force, also known as the 'Mounties'. A well-known symbol of Canada.

Canada has 10 provinces: ON, QC, BC, AB, MB, SK, NS, NB, NL, PEI — and 3 territories: YT, NT, NU.

A federally or provincially owned corporation, such as Canada Post or the CBC.