⁨Government and Democracy⁩: Canada citizenship test questions

Practice questions for the Canada citizenship test.

Last checked against the official sources:

20 free sample questions

Answer each one in your head, then open the answer to see why it is right.

  1. 1.Which police force enforces federal laws throughout Canada?

    • The Canadian Coast Guard
    • The Canadian Corps
    • The Canadian Rangers
    • The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

    The RCMP is the national police force. It also serves as the provincial police in every province and territory except Ontario and Quebec.

    From the official guide: “⁨enforce federal laws throughout Canada⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  2. 2.In an electoral district, which candidate becomes the MP?

    • The candidate who receives the most votes
    • The candidate chosen by the Prime Minister
    • The candidate chosen by the Governor General
    • The oldest candidate
    Show the answer

    Answer: The candidate who receives the most votes

    There can be many candidates in an electoral district. People vote for the candidate and political party of their choice.

    From the official guide: “⁨The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  3. 3.What does the presumption of innocence mean?

    • Everyone is innocent until proven guilty
    • The police decide who is guilty
    • Only citizens are presumed innocent
    • Everyone is guilty until proven innocent
    Show the answer

    Answer: Everyone is innocent until proven guilty

    The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law. The presumption of innocence applies in criminal matters.

    From the official guide: “⁨everyone is innocent until proven guilty⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  4. 4.Which is Canada’s highest court?

    • The Supreme Court of Canada
    • The Court of Queen’s Bench
    • The Federal Court of Canada
    • The small claims court
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada

    The Supreme Court of Canada sits above all other courts. The Federal Court of Canada deals with matters concerning the federal government.

    From the official guide: “⁨The Supreme Court of Canada is our country’s highest court.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  5. 5.Which of these is a responsibility of the provinces?

    • Foreign policy
    • Education
    • Citizenship
    • Currency
    Show the answer

    Answer: Education

    The provinces look after matters such as education, health, natural resources and highways. Currency, foreign policy and citizenship are federal.

    From the official guide: “⁨The provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  6. 6.What are the three parts of Parliament?

    • The Governor General, the premiers and the mayors
    • The House of Commons, the Supreme Court and the provinces
    • The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the courts
    • The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons

    The House of Commons is the representative chamber, elected by the people. Provincial legislatures are made up of the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly.

    From the official guide: “⁨Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate and the House of Commons.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  7. 7.Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older may run in a federal election.

    • True
    • False
    Show the answer

    Answer: True

    The people who run for office are called candidates. There can be many candidates in one electoral district.

    From the official guide: “⁨Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older may run in a federal election.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  8. 8.How do you mark a ballot in a federal election?

    • Tick every candidate you like
    • Write the name of the party
    • Mark an “X” in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice
    • Sign your name beside the candidate
    Show the answer

    Answer: Mark an “X” in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice

    You go behind a screen to mark the ballot, because the vote is secret. Then you fold it and present it to the poll officials.

    From the official guide: “⁨Mark an “X” in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  9. 9.The law in Canada applies to everyone, including judges, politicians and the police.

    • True
    • False
    Show the answer

    Answer: True

    Canada is governed by an organized system of laws. Nobody is outside them, whatever office they hold.

    From the official guide: “⁨The law in Canada applies to everyone, including judges, politicians and the police.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  10. 10.What is another name for an electoral district?

    • A province
    • A riding or constituency
    • A reserve
    • A municipality
    Show the answer

    Answer: A riding or constituency

    An electoral district is a geographical area represented by a member of Parliament. The citizens of each district elect one MP.

    From the official guide: “⁨electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  11. 11.Who is Canada’s Head of State?

    • The Chief Justice of Canada
    • The Governor General
    • The Prime Minister
    • A hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King)
    Show the answer

    Answer: A hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King)

    Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The Sovereign reigns in accordance with the Constitution and is represented in Canada by the Governor General.

    From the official guide: “⁨Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King)⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  12. 12.Who selects the Cabinet ministers?

    • The Supreme Court
    • The voters
    • The Senate
    • The Prime Minister
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Prime Minister

    In the federal government the Prime Minister chooses the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is also responsible for the operations and policy of the government.

    From the official guide: “⁨selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  13. 13.What are the laws passed by municipal councils called?

    • Statutes
    • By-laws
    • Decrees
    • Charters
    Show the answer

    Answer: By-laws

    Municipal governments usually have a council. Its by-laws affect only the local community.

    From the official guide: “⁨passes laws called “by-laws” that affect only the local community⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  14. 14.What are the three branches of government?

    • Federal, Provincial and Municipal
    • Army, Navy and Air Force
    • Executive, Legislative and Judicial
    • Crown, Senate and Commons
    Show the answer

    Answer: Executive, Legislative and Judicial

    The three branches work together, and sometimes in creative tension. The guide says this interplay helps to secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians.

    From the official guide: “⁨the three branches of government—the Executive, Legislative and Judicial⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  15. 15.Who is the head of government in Canada?

    • The Governor General
    • The Sovereign
    • The Prime Minister
    • The Speaker of the House of Commons
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Prime Minister

    The guide draws a clear line between the head of state and the head of government. The Prime Minister actually directs the governing of the country.

    From the official guide: “⁨the head of government—the Prime Minister, who actually directs the governing of the country⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  16. 16.Which of these is a responsibility of the federal government?

    • Municipal government
    • Education
    • Highways
    • Defence
    Show the answer

    Answer: Defence

    The federal government handles matters of national and international concern. The other three choices are responsibilities of the provinces.

    From the official guide: “⁨These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  17. 17.What are the three key facts about Canada’s system of government?

    • It is a confederacy, a republic and a commonwealth
    • It is a monarchy, a theocracy and a union
    • It is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
    • It is a republic, a federation and a direct democracy
    Show the answer

    Answer: It is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy

    The guide opens its chapter on government with these three facts. Each is then explained in turn.

    From the official guide: “⁨our country is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  18. 18.Who represents the Sovereign in each of the ten provinces?

    • The Premier
    • The Commissioner
    • The Lieutenant Governor
    • The Mayor
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Lieutenant Governor

    The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The appointment is normally for five years.

    From the official guide: “⁨In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  19. 19.Which two provinces does the guide say have provincial police forces?

    • Manitoba and Saskatchewan
    • Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
    • Alberta and British Columbia
    • Ontario and Quebec
    Show the answer

    Answer: Ontario and Quebec

    There are different types of police in Canada. The guide names provincial forces in Ontario and Quebec and municipal police departments in all provinces.

    From the official guide: “⁨There are provincial police forces in Ontario and Quebec⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

  20. 20.Who grants royal assent to a bill on behalf of the Sovereign?

    • The Governor General
    • The Speaker of the Senate
    • The Chief Justice
    • The Prime Minister
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Governor General

    No bill can become law until it has received royal assent. The Governor General grants it on behalf of the Sovereign.

    From the official guide: “⁨granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign⁩” Official source, checked October 14, 2026

25 more ⁨Government and Democracy⁩ questions, with explanations and spaced review, are waiting in Swornly.

Study for the Canada test

The test

  • Citizenship test

    20 questions, 15 to pass, 45 minutes

All the facts about the Canada citizenship test

Common questions

How can I practice ⁨Government and Democracy⁩ questions for the Canada citizenship test?
Swornly has 45 checked practice questions on ⁨Government and Democracy⁩. The sample on this page is free, with the answers explained; the rest are in the app.
How many questions are on the Canada citizenship test?
The ⁨Citizenship test⁩ has 20 questions.
What score do you need to pass the Canada citizenship test?
To pass the ⁨Citizenship test⁩ you need 15 correct answers out of 20 (75%).
How long does the Canada citizenship test take?
You have 45 minutes for the ⁨Citizenship test⁩.
What language is the Canada citizenship test in?
The test is taken in English or French.
Where do these practice questions come from?
Each question is written from the official study material, checked against it by a reviewer, and linked to its source. They are for practice: the questions you are asked on the day may be worded differently.
Is Swornly an official government website?
No. Swornly is an independent study app and is not affiliated with any government. To book the test or check the rules that apply to you, use the official website. Official source

To book the test or check the rules that apply to you, use the official website linked above. Swornly is an independent study app and is not affiliated with any government.