Discover Canada Guide

This section in the Discover Canada Guide focuses on rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Also known as the Charter, it protects fundamental freedoms like mobility rights, Aboriginal Peoples' rights, official language and minority language rights, and multiculturalism.

With the above citizenship rights comes responsibilities which include obeying the law, taking responsibility of oneself and family, serving in jury, voting in elections, helping others in the community, and protecting our heritage and environment.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   Which two fundamental freedoms are protected under the Canadian Charter of             Rights and Freedoms?
  •   Fatima is a new immigrant to Canada. Why can she choose to take a job like any         other male Canadian immigrant?
  •   What will you promise when you take the Oath of Citizenship?
  •   Who has the right to vote in federal elections?
  •   Voting in elections is a right or responsibility or both?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

This section of the Discover Canada booklet covers information about the founding peoples of Canada. Canada is a constitutional monarchy and the three founding peoples of Canada are the Aboriginal, French and British. Ancestors of Aboriginal peoples first migrated to Canada several thousands of years, from Asia.

The three recognized Aboriginal groups in Canada are the First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Canada is known for its diversity because of the millions of immigrants that migrate from various parts of the world. The two official languages recognized in Canada are English and French.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   What is a key phrase in Canada's original constitutional document?
  •   What does it mean to say that Canada is a constitutional monarchy?
  •   In which parts of Canada did the Aboriginal peoples first live?
  •   What are the three main groups of Aboriginal peoples?
  •   What are the two official languages of Canada?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

The History section of the Discover Canada Guide covers the country's rich history and focuses on subjects like the Aboriginal peoples, the first Europeans and their coexistence with the Aboriginals, the naming of Canada, the beginnings of democracy, the growing economy and significance of fur trade in Canada.

Also covered in this section is the fight for Canada, in 1812, in which the United States of America failed in their attempt to invade Canada. The current US-Canadian border is partly a result of the war of 1812 ensuring that Canada would remain independent of the United States of America.

Other historical facts included in this section are the formation of the Confederation, in 1867, which saw Sir John Alexander Macdonald become Canada's first Prime Minister. Other notable facts include creation of different levels of government, building of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), Canada's involvement in the First World War and the Second World War, and women's right to vote.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   What was the Women's Suffrage Movement?
  •   What is the significance of Remembrance Day?
  •   Which provinces first formed Confederation?
  •   What significance did the War of 1812 have on Canada?
  •   What's the significance of Fur in Canadian history?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

In the Modern Canada section of the Discover Canada booklet you will find information the country's prosperous trade and economic growth; the discovery of oil in the province of Alberta in 1947; implementation of the health care plan, employment insurance, the Canada and Quebec pension plans; and publicly funded education.

Also worth noting are Canada's international engagement in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) as well as many peacekeeping UN (United Nations) missions. Other aspects covered in this section are Canada's changing society and multiculturalism, great Canadian discoveries and inventions, arts and culture, as well as sports contributions.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   What is the significance of the discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting                    and Charles Best?
  •   In the 1960s Quebec experienced rapid change. What is this period called?
  •   What are the two official languages of Canada?
  •   What country is Canada's largest trading partner?
  •   What is Terry Fox's contribution?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

This section of the Discover Canada Guide is all about Canada's system of government. As a country, Canada is considered a federal state with a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The government is represented at various levels, namely, federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal governments. Each of these levels of government have distinct roles and responsibilities.

The Head of State is a Sovereign (King or Queen) and is represented by the Governor General at the federal level. In the provinces, the Sovereign is represented by Lieutenant Governors. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister who is responsible in directing the day-to-day governing of the country.

In this section, you will also learn about the three branches of government, namely, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. As well as the three parts of Parliament which are the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. The House of Commons is represented by members of Parliament elected by the people, whereas the Senate is represented by Senators appointed by the Governor General.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   Name two responsibilities of the municipal or local government.
  •   What are two responsibilities of the federal government?
  •   Who governs Canada day-to-day at the federal level?
  •   What is the House of Commons?
  •   How does a bill become a law?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

In this section of the Discover Canada booklet you will learn about the democratic process in which eligible Canadian citizens elect representatives (Members of Parliament or MPs) to the House of Commons. Canada is made up of 308 electoral districts or constituencies which is a geographical area represented by MPs.

Canadian citizens, 18 years or over, can run in a federal election. And citizens who are at least 18 years of age and on the Voter's List, have the right to vote in federal elections by secret ballot. After the election results, the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Commons can form the government. The leader of this political party becomes the Prime Minister and appoints Cabinet Ministers.

On the other hand, the opposition political party who secures majority of the members in the House of Commons becomes the Official Opposition.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   How is the government formed after a federal election?
  •   Who has the right to vote in federal elections?
  •   Name the three levels of government in Canada
  •   What is a majority government?
  •   How do you vote in Canada?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

In the Judicial System section of the Discover Canada Guide, you will find information on Canada's legal system which guarantees everyone due process under Canadian law. The system is established on the "presumption of innocence" which means everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Canadian law is enforced on everyone equally, including judges, the police and politicians.

The structure of Canada's judicial system consists of the Supreme Court (Canada's highest court), federal courts and provincial courts. The police also play a role in terms of enforcing and upholding the law.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   The law in Canada applies to everyone including judges, politicians and the police.
  •   In Canada's justice system, what does "presumption of innocence" mean?
  •   What does equality under the law mean?
  •   What is the role of police in Canada?
  •   Who is above the law?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

This section of the guide focuses on symbols which have special meaning to Canadians. Some of these Canadian symbols represent objects, events and people.

Canada being a constitutional monarchy uses the Crown as a symbol in various sectors of the government. One of the most popular symbols of Canada is the maple leaf which appears on the Canadian flag among many other places. The beaver, a semi-aquatic rodent, is officially designated as Canada's national animal. "O Canada" is Canada's National Anthem.

The Coat of Arms is another prominent symbol adopted by Canada along with the national motto "A mari usque ad mare" which translates "from sea to sea". Canada also recognizes citizens for outstanding contributions. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour awarded to Canadians for most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.

Canadians also compete in various sports at a professional level. Ice-hockey is considered Canada's most popular and national winter sport. Curling is also popular and lacrosse is considered the official summer sport.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   What does the national motto of Canada "A mari usque ad mare" translate to?
  •   To whom is the Victoria Cross honour awarded?
  •   What did the Canadian Pacific Railway symbolize?
  •   What is Canada's national winter sport?
  •   What does the Canadian flag look like?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

In this section of the Discover Canada booklet, you will learn about Canada as a trading nation. Commerce in Canada goes back to the early days when the first Canadian companies competed for the fur trade. Canada has one of the largest economies in the world, United States being Canada's largest trading partner.

Free trade with the United States was enacted in 1988 and was extended with Mexico in 1994 in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canada's three main industries are natural resources, manufacturing and services.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   Which of the following answer is NOT true about Canada/USA relations?
  •   What are the three main types of industries in Canada?
  •   Which province is Canada's leading wheat producer?
  •   What is the advantage of the NAFTA agreement?
  •   Which country is Canada's largest trading partner?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.

Canada's Regions of the Discover Canada Guide explores the geographical composition of the second largest country in the world. Canada is divided into five distinct regions, namely, the West Coast, the Prairie Provinces, Central Canada, the Northern Territories, and the Atlantic Provinces.

Canada has ten provinces and three territories, surrounded by three major oceans: the Pacific Ocean in the west; Atlantic Ocean in the east; and the Arctic Ocean to the north. The national capital of Canada is Ottawa, located in the province of Ontario.

Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are known as the Prairie provinces of Canada. Whereas, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador form the Atlantic provinces. The Northern Territories include Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The provinces of Ontario and Quebec are part of Central Canada. And finally, the province of British Columbia is called the West Coast.

Some of the questions that you can expect in the citizenship test are listed below:

  •   What are the Prairie provinces and their capital cities?
  •   Which province is the largest producer of oil and gas?
  •   One third of all Canadians live in which province?
  •   What are the Atlantic provinces of Canada?
  •   What three oceans border Canada?

Take the quick practice test below and find out the answers to the above questions.