Canadian Citizenship Test

Modern Canada Flashcards

48 flashcards with the key facts of the chapter “Modern Canada”. Turn a card to see the answer.

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What major military alliance did Canada join with other Western democratic countries after the start of the Cold War?

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  1. 1
    What major military alliance did Canada join with other Western democratic countries after the start of the Cold War?
    Show answer
    NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
    To counter the Communist bloc controlled by the Soviet Union, Canada joined NATO, a military alliance, and also formed the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) with the United States.
  2. 2
    What was the Quiet Revolution, and in which decade did it occur?
    Show answer
    It was an era of rapid change in French-Canadian society and culture that took place in Quebec during the 1960s.
    This period of intense social and political change led many Quebecers to seek separation from Canada, sparking debates on sovereignty.
  3. 3
    What did the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963) lead to?
    Show answer
    It led to the Official Languages Act of 1969, which guarantees French and English services in the federal government.
    This act was a key response to the societal changes of the Quiet Revolution and aimed to solidify Canada's bilingual character at the federal level.
  4. 4
    In what year were Aboriginal people granted the right to vote in federal elections?
    Show answer
    Aboriginal people were granted the vote in 1960.
    This was a significant step in making Canada a more open and flexible society. The last group of Asian-Canadians to be excluded, the Japanese-Canadians, had gained the right to vote earlier in 1948.
  5. 5
    Which Canadian artist group, founded in 1920, is renowned for its paintings of Canada's rugged wilderness landscapes?
    Show answer
    The Group of Seven.
    The Group of Seven developed a unique style to capture the Canadian landscape. Other notable artists mentioned include Emily Carr, who painted West Coast scenes, and Jean-Paul Riopelle, a pioneer of modern abstract art.
  6. 6
    Who invented the game of basketball in 1891?
    Show answer
    Canadian James Naismith.
    Basketball is one of the many sports where Canadians have made significant contributions, and it has since become a globally popular sport.
  7. 7
    What international trade agreement, now known as the World Trade Organization (WTO), helped open restrictive trading policies and boost Canada's postwar prosperity?
    Show answer
    The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
    The opening of trade through agreements like GATT was a key factor in Canada's strong economic growth between 1945 and 1970, leading to one of the world's highest standards of living.
  8. 8
    What was the name of the cross-country run started by Terry Fox in 1980 to raise money for cancer research?
    Show answer
    The "Marathon of Hope".
    Terry Fox, who had lost a leg to cancer, became a national hero for his efforts. Although he couldn't finish his run, his legacy continues through annual fundraising events.
  9. 9
    Who were the two inventors who created the first electric light bulb and later sold the patent to Thomas Edison?
    Show answer
    Matthew Evans and Henry Woodward.
    While Thomas Edison is famously credited with commercializing the light bulb, the initial invention was made by these two Canadians.
  10. 10
    In which war did Canada participate as part of a UN operation from 1950-53, resulting in 500 dead and 1,000 wounded Canadians?
    Show answer
    The Korean War.
    This was a significant early example of Canada's commitment to the United Nations and international security operations during the Cold War era.
  11. 11
    What did the discovery of oil in Alberta in 1947 lead to the beginning of?
    Show answer
    The start of Canada's modern energy industry.
    This discovery was a crucial event that significantly boosted Canada's post-war economic prosperity and development.
  12. 12
    What international military alliance, other than NATO, did Canada form with the United States to defend North American airspace during the Cold War?
    Show answer
    The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).
    NORAD was established as a joint command between Canada and the U.S. to provide aerospace warning and control for North America against potential threats, particularly from the Soviet Union.
  13. 13
    Who was Dr. Wilder Penfield, and what was his nickname?
    Show answer
    He was a pioneering brain surgeon at McGill University, known as "the greatest living Canadian."
    Dr. Penfield's work in mapping the functions of various regions of the brain made him a globally recognized figure in neuroscience.
  14. 14
    From which two major conflicts did Canada welcome thousands of refugees fleeing Communist oppression?
    Show answer
    Canada welcomed about 37,000 refugees after the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956 and over 50,000 refugees after the Communist victory in the Vietnam War in 1975.
    These events highlight Canada's role as a haven for refugees and its commitment to humanitarian aid during major global crises.
  15. 15
    Who invented the worldwide system of standard time zones?
    Show answer
    Sir Sandford Fleming.
    Fleming's invention brought order to global timekeeping, which was essential for the efficient operation of railways and international communications.
  16. 16
    In what year did the majority of Canadians first become able to afford adequate food, shelter, and clothing?
    Show answer
    In 1951, for the first time, a majority of Canadians could afford adequate food, shelter, and clothing.
    This milestone was reached during a period of record prosperity and material progress in postwar Canada, fueled by more open trade policies and economic growth.
  17. 17
    What does the Canada Health Act ensure for citizens?
    Show answer
    The Canada Health Act ensures common elements and a basic standard of coverage in healthcare.
    This act is a key piece of legislation that supports Canada's publicly funded healthcare system, which grew as part of the country's expanding social assistance programs after the war.
  18. 18
    Who was the celebrated Quebec sculptor known for creating works of historical figures?
    Show answer
    Louis-Philippe Hébert was a celebrated sculptor from Quebec known for his works of historical figures.
    His work is an example of the significant contributions made by Quebec artists to Canada's cultural landscape.
  19. 19
    What are the two well-known inventions of Research in Motion (RIM), a Canadian wireless communications company?
    Show answer
    Research in Motion (RIM) is known for its most famous invention: the BlackBerry.
    The BlackBerry, developed by Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie of RIM, revolutionized wireless communications and mobile business.
  20. 20
    When did Japanese-Canadians gain the right to vote in federal elections, marking the end of voting denial for most Canadians of Asian descent?
    Show answer
    Japanese-Canadians gained the right to vote in 1948.
    This was an important step in making Canada a more open and inclusive society, followed by Aboriginal people gaining the right to vote in 1960.
  21. 21
    What life-saving hormone, used to treat diabetes, was discovered by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best?
    Show answer
    They discovered insulin, a hormone that has saved an estimated 16 million lives worldwide.
  22. 22
    What international association of French-speaking countries did Canada help found in 1970?
    Show answer
    Canada helped found La Francophonie.
    This initiative followed the Official Languages Act of 1969 and highlighted Canada's commitment to its bilingual identity on the global stage.
  23. 23
    Which group of artists from Quebec, with Jean-Paul Riopelle as its most notable member, were pioneers of modern abstract art in the 1950s?
    Show answer
    Les Automatistes were pioneers of modern abstract art in Quebec.
    This art movement was significant in the cultural development that preceded Quebec's Quiet Revolution.
  24. 24
    Who circled the globe in a wheelchair in 1985 to raise funds for spinal cord research?
    Show answer
    Rick Hansen, a fellow British Columbian inspired by Terry Fox, completed the 'Man in Motion World Tour'.
  25. 25
    What significant event in Canadian sports history from 1972 involved Paul Henderson scoring what is often called 'the goal heard around the world'?
    Show answer
    Paul Henderson scored the winning goal for Canada in the Canada-Soviet Summit Series.
    This goal is remembered as a major event in both Canadian sports and cultural history, symbolizing a victory during the Cold War era.
  26. 26
    Who invented the snowmobile, a light-weight winter vehicle?
    Show answer
    Joseph-Armand Bombardier.
    The snowmobile was a significant Canadian invention, revolutionizing winter travel in rural and northern areas.
  27. 27
    Which Canadian artist is known for painting the forests and Aboriginal artifacts of the West Coast?
    Show answer
    Emily Carr.
    Emily Carr was a prominent Canadian artist and writer inspired by the Indigenous peoples and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
  28. 28
    In what year was the Canadian Constitution amended without the agreement of the Quebec provincial government?
    Show answer
    The Constitution was amended in 1982.
    Following the defeat of the 1980 sovereignty referendum, the Constitution was patriated from Britain and amended. However, the government of Quebec did not agree to the final package of amendments, an issue that continues to be a topic of discussion.
  29. 29
    What was invented by SPAR Aerospace and the National Research Council, and is famously used as a robotic arm in outer space?
    Show answer
    The Canadarm.
    Since 1989, the Canadian Space Agency and Canadian astronauts have participated in space exploration, often using the Canadian-designed and built Canadarm.
  30. 30
    In what two years were referendums on Quebec sovereignty held and ultimately defeated?
    Show answer
    The referendums were defeated in 1980 and again in 1995.
    The movement for Quebec's separation from Canada gained strength during and after the Quiet Revolution, leading to two provincial referendums on the issue, both of which resulted in a vote to remain part of Canada.
  31. 31
    What were the names of the pension plans established in 1965?
    Show answer
    The Canada and Quebec Pension Plans.
    These plans were established as part of Canada's growing social assistance programs during the prosperous postwar era, along with Old Age Security which was devised in 1927.
  32. 32
    By the 1960s, what proportion of Canadians had origins that were neither British nor French?
    Show answer
    One-third of Canadians.
    This significant demographic reality, resulting from immigration, gave a new impetus to the idea of multiculturalism, where diverse cultures are preserved within the Canadian fabric.
  33. 33
    Who was the Nobel Prize-winning scientist, mentioned in the guide, who came to Canada as a refugee from Nazi Germany?
    Show answer
    Gerhard Herzberg.
    Canada has attracted world-class students, academics, and entrepreneurs, including refugees like Gerhard Herzberg, who have made significant contributions to science and research.
  34. 34
    What is the name of the championship trophy for the Canadian Football League (CFL), and who donated it in 1909?
    Show answer
    The Grey Cup, donated by Lord Grey, the Governor General.
    Canadian football is a popular sport, and its professional teams compete for this historic trophy, which is a significant part of Canada's sporting culture.
  35. 35
    What life-saving device for people with heart disorders was invented by Dr. John A. Hopps?
    Show answer
    The first cardiac pacemaker.
    This Canadian invention is a prime example of the country's world-renowned advances in science and technology, particularly in the field of medical research.
  36. 36
    When was unemployment insurance (now called employment insurance) introduced by the federal government?
    Show answer
    In 1940.
    This was one of the key social assistance programs established in Canada, reflecting a growing commitment to social welfare during that period.
  37. 37
    Which Canadian athlete became a world record sprinter and double Olympic gold medallist at the 1996 Olympic Summer Games?
    Show answer
    Donovan Bailey.
    The guide highlights several famous Canadian athletes, including Chantal Petitclerc, Terry Fox, and Wayne Gretzky, as examples of Canada's sporting achievements.
  38. 38
    In what year was the Old Age Security program first devised?
    Show answer
    The program was devised as early as 1927.
    Old Age Security was one of Canada's earliest major social programs, predating the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans which were established in 1965.
  39. 39
    Which Quebec filmmaker is noted in the guide as having films that are popular across Canada and have won international awards?
    Show answer
    Denys Arcand.
    The guide also mentions other noteworthy Canadian filmmakers such as Norman Jewison and Atom Egoyan.
  40. 40
    Approximately how many refugees from Hungary did Canada welcome in 1956 after they escaped Soviet tyranny?
    Show answer
    Canada welcomed about 37,000 Hungarian refugees.
    This wave of refugees was part of Canada's response to global events during the Cold War, which also included welcoming over 50,000 Vietnamese refugees after 1975.
  41. 41
    What is the current voting age for every Canadian citizen?
    Show answer
    Every citizen over the age of 18 may vote.
    This right is a cornerstone of Canadian democracy, ensuring that all adult citizens have a voice in their governance. While the guide states this is the current age, it also notes that this right was extended to all groups gradually, with Aboriginal peoples gaining the vote in 1960.
  42. 42
    Who were the two Canadian 'pioneer thinkers' mentioned in the guide who changed the way the world communicates and does business?
    Show answer
    Marshall McLuhan and Harold Innis.
    Their theories on media and communication, such as McLuhan's concept of 'the medium is the message,' have had a profound impact on modern thought and are studied worldwide.
  43. 43
    Which Canadian inventor is credited with contributing to the invention of radio by sending the first wireless voice message in the world?
    Show answer
    Reginald Fessenden.
    Fessenden's pioneering work in radio technology, specifically in amplitude modulation (AM), was a critical step towards the mass communication we know today.
  44. 44
    For which NHL team did hockey legend Wayne Gretzky play from 1979 to 1988?
    Show answer
    The Edmonton Oilers.
    During his time with the Oilers, the team won four Stanley Cups, cementing this era as one of the greatest dynasties in hockey history.
  45. 45
    What world-changing invention did Alexander Graham Bell conceive of at his summer house in Canada?
    Show answer
    The telephone.
    The guide states that Alexander Graham Bell 'hit on the idea of the telephone at his summer house in Canada.'
  46. 46
    Who is Chantal Petitclerc, as described in the context of Canadian sports?
    Show answer
    A world champion wheelchair racer and Paralympic gold medalist.
  47. 47
    Who pioneered modern Inuit art with works such as etchings, prints, and soapstone sculptures?
    Show answer
    Kenojuak Ashevak.
    The guide highlights Kenojuak Ashevak's pioneering role in bringing modern Inuit art to prominence through various mediums.
  48. 48
    Following the Communist victory in the Vietnam War in 1975, approximately how many Vietnamese refugees sought refuge in Canada?
    Show answer
    Over 50,000.
    This wave of immigration was part of Canada's response to the humanitarian crisis following the end of the Vietnam War, welcoming thousands of people who fled the new regime.