Federal Elections: Citizenship Test Questions

Federal Elections (Discover Canada): 76 Canadian citizenship test questions in 5 tests with answers, explanations, and 45 flashcards.

Tests

Test 1 507–522Test 2 523–537Test 3 538–552Test 4 553–567Test 5 568–582 Flashcards 45

Changed since the guide was written

  • The House of Commons has 343 seats (electoral districts) since the general election of 28 April 2025. The guide gives 308. Elections Canada

All questions in this chapter

  1. 507What are two requirements you must meet to be eligible to vote in a federal election?
  2. 508What is the name for a geographical area represented by a Member of Parliament (MP)?
  3. 509According to legislation, when must federal elections be held?
  4. 510What is it called when the party in power holds less than half of the seats in the House of Commons?
  5. 511Which neutral agency of Parliament is responsible for managing federal elections and referendums?
  6. 512What is the minimum age required to be eligible to vote in a federal election in Canada?
  7. 513After a federal election, who does the Governor General normally invite to form the new government?
  8. 514What legal right ensures that your vote is private and no one can force you to reveal your choice?
  9. 515What is the primary role of the opposition parties in the House of Commons?
  10. 516What is the usual result when a majority of MPs vote against a major government decision, such as the budget?
  11. 517What document does Elections Canada mail to each elector whose name is on the National Register of Electors before an election?
  12. 518Who has the authority to ask the Governor General to call a federal election earlier than the scheduled date?
  13. 519In the context of the House of Commons, what is a vote on a major issue such as the budget considered?
  14. 520What is the collective name for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers who make important decisions about how the country is governed?
  15. 521What is the title given to the people who run for office in a federal election?
  16. 522How should a voter mark their choice on a federal election ballot?
  17. 523What defines a majority government in the Canadian federal system?
  18. 524What is the name of the permanent database of Canadian citizens qualified to vote in federal elections?
  19. 525What happens immediately after the polling stations close on election day?
  20. 526How is a Member of Parliament (MP) selected to represent an electoral district?
  21. 527Who is primarily responsible for running the federal government departments?
  22. 528In addition to being a Canadian citizen, what is the minimum age to run as a candidate in a federal election?
  23. 529According to the voting procedures, what is the recommended first action if an elector does not receive a voter information card?
  24. 530Members of the House of Commons, who are elected in federal elections, are also known by what other title?
  25. 531The Prime Minister selects Cabinet ministers to run federal departments. From which group are most of these ministers chosen?
  26. 532Immediately after a federal election, what is the specific role of the Governor General in the process of forming a new government?
  27. 533According to the voting procedures, what does a poll official do with your ballot right before you place it in the ballot box?
  28. 534If a Canadian citizen is unable or does not wish to vote on election day, what are their alternative voting options?
  29. 535The right to vote in federal elections is described in the guide as a privilege belonging to which group of people?
  30. 536After you have marked your ballot in private behind the screen, what is the immediate next action you must take before presenting it to the poll official?
  31. 537Who holds the authority to choose the individuals that will become ministers of the Crown in the federal government?
  32. 538According to the guide, who is primarily responsible for preparing the federal budget and proposing most new laws?
  33. 539What is a common title for the head of a municipal government in Canada?
  34. 540According to the voter information card details, what should an elector do if they require an interpreter to vote?
  35. 541Laws passed by a municipal government that only affect the local community are called what?
  36. 542Which level of government in Canada is primarily responsible for education and health care?
  37. 543What is the primary reason Canadians vote in a federal election?
  38. 544For a Prime Minister and the governing party to remain in power, what is essential for them to maintain in the House of Commons?
  39. 545At the polling station, what specific action ensures the secrecy of your ballot as you mark your choice?
  40. 546In addition to a mayor or reeve, which other elected officials typically form a municipal council?
  41. 547According to the guide, who has major responsibilities for services like housing and schools on First Nations reserves?
  42. 548Your voter information card tells you when and where to vote. What other important information does the card provide for electors, according to the guide?
  43. 549The guide mentions that a federal electoral district has other names. What are two alternative names for a federal electoral district?
  44. 550The Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, makes important decisions about how the country is governed. Who has the right to question the decisions made by the Cabinet?
  45. 551If an eligible voter does not receive a voter information card in the mail, what is the latest point at which they can be added to the voters' list?
  46. 552In Canada's three territories, which official represents the federal government?
  47. 553How do the rules for provincial, territorial, and municipal elections compare to the rules for federal elections?
  48. 554The 'Voting Procedures' section lists ways to find out election results after the polls close. Which of the following is mentioned as a source for these results?
  49. 555In Canada's system of government, who holds the title of Head of Government at the federal level?
  50. 556According to the guide, what is the specific term used for the people who run for office in a federal election?
  51. 557In the Canadian federal system, what is the primary role of the opposition parties in the House of Commons?
  52. 558If a majority of the Members of the House of Commons vote against a major government decision, what is the usual action taken by the Prime Minister?
  53. 559How many Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent a single federal electoral district?
  54. 560As outlined in the voting procedures, what does the poll official do right before handing your ballot back for you to deposit in the ballot box?
  55. 561When the House of Commons votes on a significant government proposal, such as the federal budget, what is this type of vote considered?
  56. 562In a minority government situation, what must the Prime Minister and the ruling party secure to continue governing?
  57. 563Immediately after the polling stations close on election day, who is responsible for counting the ballots?
  58. 564What is the stated function of the provincial, regional, and national Aboriginal organizations mentioned in the guide?
  59. 565If the party in power is defeated on a confidence vote, the Prime Minister typically asks the Governor General to call an election. On whose behalf does the Governor General act when calling an election in this situation?
  60. 566A Member of Parliament (MP) has a dual role of representation in the House of Commons. Who do they represent?
  61. 567On First Nations reserves, who holds major responsibilities for essential services such as housing and schools?
  62. 568According to the voting procedures, what must you bring to the polling station in addition to your voter information card?
  63. 569For which institution do Canadians elect representatives during a federal election?
  64. 570When does Elections Canada typically mail a voter information card to electors?
  65. 571According to the principle of the secret ballot, who has the right to insist that you tell them how you voted?
  66. 572Besides stating when and where to vote, what is another key purpose of the voter information card mailed by Elections Canada?
  67. 573During the voting process, you present your folded ballot to the poll official. What does the official remove from the ballot before giving it back to you to deposit in the box?
  68. 574In a federal electoral district, how is the winning candidate determined?
  69. 575From which source does Elections Canada produce the voters' lists for a federal election?
  70. 576After the polls close on election day, what is the immediate next step in the process?
  71. 577Besides making important decisions on how the country is governed, what are two key responsibilities of the Cabinet?
  72. 578In addition to being at least 18 years old, what is the other key requirement to be a candidate in a federal election?
  73. 579After a federal election, the leader of the party with the most seats is invited to form the government. Who formally appoints this leader as the Prime Minister?
  74. 580After being elected, where does a Member of Parliament (MP) sit to represent the people from their electoral district?
  75. 581The Prime Minister and the ruling party can only govern as long as they maintain the support or confidence of the majority of MPs. What fundamental principle does this ensure?
  76. 582Besides preparing the federal budget, what is a key legislative responsibility of the Cabinet?