Civics

Question 1

What is a democracy?

Answer 1

A system of government where citizens exercise power by voting.

Question 2

Define monarchy.

Answer 2

A form of government with a monarch (king or queen) at the head, often hereditary.

Question 3

What is a dictatorship?

Answer 3

A government ruled by a single leader who has absolute control, often obtained by force.

Question 4

What is an oligarchy?

Answer 4

A government where a small group of people have control over the country.

Question 5

What does the left-wing of the political spectrum generally support?

Answer 5

Social equality, government intervention in the economy, and progressive social policies.

Question 6

What does the right-wing of the political spectrum generally support?

Answer 6

Less government intervention, individual responsibility, and traditional social values.

Question 7

Define centrism on the political spectrum.

Answer 7

A political position that balances both left- and right-wing policies, often advocating for moderation.

Question 8

What is the Liberal Party of Canada’s primary ideology?

Answer 8

Center-left, focusing on social progressivism, environmentalism, and economic liberalism.

Question 9

What is the main political stance of the Conservative Party of Canada?

Answer 9

Center-right, advocating for lower taxes, free-market policies, and traditional values.

Question 10

What does the New Democratic Party (NDP) stand for?

Answer 10

Left-wing, supporting social democracy, workers’ rights, and expanded social programs.

Question 11

What is the Bloc Québécois’s primary focus?

Answer 11

Advocacy for Quebec sovereignty and promotion of Quebec’s interests within Canada.

Question 12

What is the Green Party known for?

Answer 12

A focus on environmental sustainability, climate change action, and progressive social policies.

Question 13

What are the three levels of government in Canada?

Answer 13

Federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal.

Question 14

What is the federal government responsible for?

Answer 14

National defense, foreign policy, immigration, and trade.

Question 15

What is the provincial/territorial government responsible for?

Answer 15

Education, health care, transportation, and natural resources.

Question 16

What is the municipal government responsible for?

Answer 16

Local services like water, public transit, waste management, and parks.

Question 17

What are the three branches of government in Canada?

Answer 17

Executive, legislative, and judicial.

Question 18

What does the executive branch do?

Answer 18

Enforces laws and is made up of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Governor General.

Question 19

What is the role of the legislative branch?

Answer 19

Makes laws; includes Parliament (the House of Commons and the Senate).

Question 20

What is the responsibility of the judicial branch?

Answer 20

Interprets and applies the law through courts, ensuring laws comply with the Constitution.

Question 21

What are the two houses of Canadian Parliament?

Answer 21

The House of Commons and the Senate.

Question 22

How are members of the House of Commons selected?

Answer 22

They are elected by Canadian citizens in federal elections.

Question 23

How are members of the Senate selected?

Answer 23

Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Question 24

Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?

Answer 24

The head of government, responsible for running the country and leading the executive branch.

Question 25

What is the role of the Governor General?

Answer 25

The Queen’s representative in Canada, performing ceremonial duties and giving royal assent to laws.

Question 26

What does a Member of Parliament (MP) do?

Answer 26

Represents a constituency in the House of Commons and participates in law-making.

Question 27

What is required to run for office in a Canadian federal election?

Answer 27

You must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and gather a required number of signatures for nomination.

Question 28

How does a political party win a federal election?

Answer 28

By winning the most seats in the House of Commons, typically forming a government.

Question 29

What are the qualifications to vote in Canadian federal elections?

Answer 29

You must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and registered to vote.

Question 30

What is the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system?

Answer 30

A system where the candidate with the most votes in an electoral district wins, even if they don’t receive a majority.

Question 31

What are some problems with First Past the Post?

Answer 31

It can lead to disproportional representation, where a party can win a majority of seats without a majority of the votes, and it often disadvantages smaller parties.

Question 32

Who is the current monarch of Canada?

Answer 32

King Charles III.

Question 33

Who is the current Prime Minister of Canada?

Answer 33

Justin Trudeau.

Question 34

Who is a prominent left-wing political figure in Canada?

Answer 34

Jagmeet Singh (NDP leader).

Question 35

Name a right-wing Canadian political figure.

Answer 35

Pierre Poilievre (Conservative Party leader).

Question 36

Who is the leader of the Liberal Party?

Answer 36

Justin Trudeau.

Question 37

Who leads the Conservative Party?

Answer 37

Pierre Poilievre.

Question 38

Who is the current leader of the NDP?

Answer 38

Jagmeet Singh.

Question 39

Who is the leader of the Bloc Québécois?

Answer 39

Yves-François Blanchet.

Question 40

Who is the leader of the Green Party?

Answer 40

Elizabeth May (Co-leader with Jonathan Pedneault).

Question 41

Who is the current Governor General of Canada?

Answer 41

Mary Simon.

Question 42

Who is responsible for national defense in Canada?

Answer 42

The federal government.

Question 43

Who is responsible for healthcare in Canada?

Answer 43

The provincial/territorial government.

Question 44

Who is the head of the executive branch in Canada?

Answer 44

The Prime Minister.

Question 45

Who interprets the law in Canada’s judicial branch?

Answer 45

The Supreme Court of Canada.

Question 46

How many seats are in the House of Commons?

Answer 46

338.

Question 47

How many seats are in the Senate?

Answer 47

105.

Question 48

Who is the current Speaker of the House of Commons?

Answer 48

Greg Fergus.

Question 49

What is the role of the Governor General?

Answer 49

Represents the monarch and gives royal assent to laws.

Question 50

What is the job of a cabinet minister?

Answer 50

Head of a government department, advising the Prime Minister.

Question 51

Who is the current Minister of Finance in Canada?

Answer 51

Chrystia Freeland.

Question 52

Who oversees federal elections in Canada?

Answer 52

Elections Canada.

Question 53

Who can run as a candidate in Canadian federal elections?

Answer 53

Any Canadian citizen aged 18+.

Question 54

How often must federal elections be held in Canada?

Answer 54

Every 4 years, or earlier if called.

Question 55

What is a major criticism of the First Past the Post system?

Answer 55

It can give a party with fewer votes a majority in Parliament.

Question 56

What alternative voting system is often suggested for Canada?

Answer 56

Proportional representation.