CAEC Social Studies Preparation Course: Citizenship and government

1. Question 1 of 20

   What are the three parts of Canada's Parliament?

   • AThe Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
   • BThe Governor General, the premiers and the mayors
   • CThe Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the courts
   • DThe Senate, the House of Commons and the Supreme Court
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   Answer: A. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons

   Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Who represents the Sovereign in each province?

   • AThe Lieutenant Governor
   • BThe Governor General
   • CThe Premier
   • DThe Commissioner
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   Answer: A. The Lieutenant Governor

   A Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in each of the ten provinces. A Commissioner represents the federal government in each territory.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Which of these is a federal responsibility?

   • ANational defence
   • BHighways
   • CEducation
   • DLocal parks
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   Answer: A. National defence

   Defence, foreign policy, currency, criminal law and citizenship are federal. Education and highways are provincial; local parks are municipal.

4. Question 4 of 20

   Which of these is a provincial responsibility?

   • ACurrency
   • BHealth
   • CCitizenship
   • DForeign policy
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   Answer: B. Health

   Education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways are provincial responsibilities.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Your street has a broken water main. Which level of government is most likely responsible?

   • AFederal
   • BTerritorial commissioner
   • CProvincial
   • DMunicipal
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   Answer: D. Municipal

   Municipal governments look after local services such as community water systems, roads, parks and parking.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Where does a municipal government get its power to pass bylaws?

   • ADirectly from the Constitution Act, 1867
   • BFrom the Supreme Court of Canada
   • CFrom laws passed by its province
   • DFrom the Governor General
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   Answer: C. From laws passed by its province

   Municipalities do not have their own constitutional status. They get their authority from provincial laws.

7. Question 7 of 20

   What is the last step before a federal bill becomes law?

   • ASecond reading in the Senate
   • BRoyal Assent
   • CThird reading in the House of Commons
   • DCommittee stage
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   Answer: B. Royal Assent

   After the House of Commons and the Senate pass a bill, the Governor General gives Royal Assent on behalf of the Sovereign.

8. Question 8 of 20

   How do people become senators in Canada?

   • AThe Governor General appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice
   • BThey are chosen by the provincial premiers
   • CThey are elected by voters in each province at the same time as MPs
   • DThey are named by the Supreme Court
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   Answer: A. The Governor General appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice

   Senators are appointed and may serve until age 75.

9. Question 9 of 20

   Who can vote in a federal election?

   • ACanadian citizens who are 18 or older on election day and registered
   • BOnly people who own property
   • CCanadian citizens and permanent residents who are 16 or older on election day
   • DAnyone who has lived in Canada for one year
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   Answer: A. Canadian citizens who are 18 or older on election day and registered

   To vote federally you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 on voting day and be on the voters' list.

10. Question 10 of 20

    Under federal law, when are federal elections normally held?

    • AOn the first Monday in May every three years
    • BWhenever the Senate decides
    • COn the third Monday in October every four years
    • DOn July 1 every five years
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    Answer: C. On the third Monday in October every four years

    The law sets fixed election dates, though the Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.

11. Question 11 of 20

    After an election, who is usually asked to form the government?

    • AThe candidate with the most votes in the country
    • BThe leader of the party with the most seats
    • CThe leader of the oldest party
    • DThe person chosen by the Senate
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    Answer: B. The leader of the party with the most seats

    The Governor General invites the leader of the party with the most seats to form the government. That leader becomes Prime Minister.

12. Question 12 of 20

    In a made-up provincial legislature with 87 seats, Party A wins 40 seats, Party B wins 35 and Party C wins 12. What happens?

    • AParties A and B must share power equally
    • BParty B forms the government because it is closest to half
    • CParty A forms a minority government
    • DParty A forms a majority government
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Party A forms a minority government

    Half of 87 is 43.5. Party A has the most seats but fewer than half, so it forms a minority government.

13. Question 13 of 20

    Which right is one of the fundamental freedoms in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

    • AThe right to own a business
    • BFreedom from paying taxes
    • CThe right to free university
    • DFreedom of peaceful assembly
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    Answer: D. Freedom of peaceful assembly

    Section 2 lists freedom of conscience and religion; thought, belief, opinion and expression; peaceful assembly; and association.

14. Question 14 of 20

    A citizen moves from Nova Scotia to Alberta to take a job. Which Charter right protects this?

    • AMobility rights
    • BDemocratic rights
    • CMinority language education rights
    • DLegal rights
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    Answer: A. Mobility rights

    Section 6 lets citizens and permanent residents move to and work in any province.

15. Question 15 of 20

    Section 1 of the Charter says rights are subject to "reasonable limits". What does this mean?

    • ARights apply only to citizens who have lived in Canada for at least ten years in a row
    • BA law may limit a right if the limit is justified in a free and democratic society
    • CProvinces may ignore any right they choose
    • DRights may be limited only during elections
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    Answer: B. A law may limit a right if the limit is justified in a free and democratic society

    Rights are not unlimited. Courts ask whether a limit is prescribed by law and can be demonstrably justified.

16. Question 16 of 20

    What does section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 do?

    • AIt recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights
    • BIt creates the Senate and the House of Commons
    • CIt makes English and French the official languages of Canada
    • DIt gives every adult citizen the right to vote in federal and provincial elections
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    Answer: A. It recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights

    Section 35 recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. It says Aboriginal peoples include the Indian (First Nations), Inuit and Métis peoples.

17. Question 17 of 20

    The Government of Canada says the inherent right of Indigenous self-government is guaranteed in which law?

    • AThe British North America Act of 1867
    • BThe Canada Elections Act
    • CSection 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
    • DThe Indian Act of 1876
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982

    Canada recognizes an inherent right of self-government under section 35. Self-government agreements help communities move away from the Indian Act.

18. Question 18 of 20

    The notwithstanding clause (section 33) lets Parliament or a legislature pass a law that overrides certain Charter rights. How long does such a declaration last unless it is renewed?

    • AOne year
    • BTen years
    • CForever
    • DFive years
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    Answer: D. Five years

    A notwithstanding declaration expires after five years unless it is passed again.

19. Question 19 of 20

    A person is charged with a crime. In Canada's justice system, how must they be treated until the case is proven?

    • AAs a suspect who must prove they are innocent
    • BAs innocent
    • CAs guilty
    • DAs someone without legal rights
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    Answer: B. As innocent

    The presumption of innocence means an accused person is treated as not guilty until proven guilty.

20. Question 20 of 20

    Which of these is a legal duty, not just a good habit, for a Canadian citizen?

    • AAttending city council meetings
    • BJoining a political party
    • CVolunteering at a food bank
    • DServing on a jury when called
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Serving on a jury when called

    Citizens called to serve on a jury are legally required to do so. Volunteering is encouraged but not required.

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