Study notes for the Canadian citizenship test

Rights & Responsibilities

Citizenship comes with both rights and responsibilities. You’ll learn about the Oath of Citizenship, where Canadians’ rights come from, what the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects and what is expected of every citizen.

• The Oath of Citizenship
• Where rights and laws come from
• The fundamental freedoms
• The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Equality of women and men
• Responsibilities of citizenship
• Defending Canada

Who We Are

As a citizen, you’ll be part of a country of many peoples, languages and faiths. You’ll learn about the three founding peoples (Aboriginal, French and British), the two official languages and the many cultures and religions in Canada today.

• Who we are
• Aboriginal origins and rights
• Residential schools
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis
• English and French
• Acadians and Quebecers
• Diversity and immigration
• Religion, faith communities and equality

Early History

Canada’s past helps explain how the country works today. You’ll follow the story from the Aboriginal peoples and the first European explorers, through Confederation in 1867, to the First and Second World Wars.

• Aboriginal peoples and the first Europeans
• Royal New France
• The fur trade and an early economy
• The British conquest and the Quebec Act
• The Loyalists and the beginnings of democracy
• Ending slavery
• The War of 1812
• Rebellions of 1837–38 and responsible government
• Confederation and the Dominion of Canada
• Macdonald and Cartier
• The West, the Mounties and the railway
• The First World War and women’s right to vote
• Between the wars and the Second World War

Modern Canada

After 1867, Canada grew into the country it is today. You’ll read about expansion to the West, the railway, the two world wars, women winning the vote, postwar prosperity, Quebec and the Quiet Revolution, and famous Canadians in the arts, sports and science.

• Building the Dominion and the challenge in the West
• A railway from sea to sea and moving westward
• The South African War and the First World War
• Women get the vote
• Between the wars
• The Second World War
• Trade, economic growth and social programs
• International engagement
• Canada and Quebec
• A changing society
• Arts, culture and sports
• Science, discoveries and inventions

How We Govern

Knowing how Canada is governed helps you take part as a citizen. You’ll learn the three key facts about Canada’s system of government, how laws are made, who represents the Sovereign and what each level of government is responsible for.

• Three key facts about Canada’s government
• Federal state: who does what
• Parliamentary democracy
• How a bill becomes law
• Constitutional monarchy
• Three branches of government
• Provincial and territorial government
• Municipal (local) government

Elections & Voting

Voting is both a right and a responsibility of citizenship. You’ll learn how Canadians elect their members of Parliament, who may vote, how voting works and how a government is formed after an election.

• Federal elections and when they happen
• Electoral districts, candidates and MPs
• Who can vote and the voters’ list
• The secret ballot
• After an election: forming a government
• Cabinet and the opposition
• How to vote, step by step
• Other levels of government and their elections

Justice System

In Canada, the law applies to everyone. You’ll learn the basic ideas behind the justice system, who makes and enforces the laws, the main courts, the different police forces and where to get legal help.

• Due process and the presumption of innocence
• The rule of law
• Where Canadian law comes from
• The courts
• Police services
• Getting legal help

Canadian Symbols

Symbols and holidays are part of what Canadians share. You’ll learn about the objects, events and people with special meaning for Canadians: the Crown, the flags, the maple leaf, the anthems, sports, honours and national holidays.

• The Canadian Crown
• Flags and national colours
• The maple leaf and the fleur-de-lys
• Coat of arms, motto and other emblems
• The Parliament Buildings
• Popular sports
• Official languages and anthems
• Honours and the Victoria Cross
• Remembrance Day and the poppy
• National holidays and important dates

Economy

Trade and industry shape jobs and daily life across Canada. You’ll learn how Canada earns its living: trade with other countries, the three main types of industries and the close economic ties with the United States.

• A trading nation
• Free trade, NAFTA and the G7
• Three main types of industries
• Natural resources, past and present
• Regional resource strengths
• Canada and the United States

Regions & Geography

Canada is a large country with very different regions. You’ll learn about its size, borders and population, its five regions, and each province and territory with its capital city.

• Size, borders and population
• The five regions, provinces and territories
• Ottawa and the capital cities
• The Atlantic Provinces
• Central Canada: Quebec and Ontario
• The Prairie Provinces
• The West Coast: British Columbia
• The North and Yukon
• Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Canadian Rangers