Section I. Questions about Canada
Who
are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada?
The original
inhabitants of Canada. Thought to have come across a landbridge at the
Behring straits. Commonly known as the First Nations
What
are the three main groups of Aboriginal peoples?
According to
the Government they are:
Indian
Inuit
Metis
In
which parts of Canada did the Aboriginal peoples first live?
Depending on the
viewpoint it was either in the Northern Territories or right across the
Southern portion of Canada.
What
did the Aboriginal peoples living in your region depend on for survival?
Hunting,
farming and trading
From
whom are the Métis descended?
They are of
mixed blood. Mainly Native, French and Scot
In
what industry did the Métis first work with European settlers?
Fur Trading
and trapping
Which
group of Aboriginal peoples make up more than half the population of the
Northwest Territories and Nunavut?
The Inuit
Why
are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada working toward self-government?
To keep their unique
cultures and languages alive and to regain control over decisions that
affect their lives
Where did the first European settlers in Canada come from?
The first
settlement was a Viking one around 1012 AD .
Why
did the early explorers first come to Atlantic Canada?
To fish and
trade with the Native people.
Who
are the Acadian people?
They were the
first French Settlers
What
three industries helped the early settlers build communities in the Atlantic
region?
Farming,
Fishing and Shipbuilding
Who
were the United Empire Loyalists?
People of all
races and creed who fled the United States after the American Revolution.
When
did the United Empire Loyalists come to Canada?
1775 to 1783
and later
When
did settlers from France first establish communities on the St. Lawrence
River?
In the early
1600's
In
which type of industry did most early European settlers work?
Fishing and
trading
Which
trade spread across Canada, making it important to the economy for over 300
years?
The Fur Trade
What
form of transportation did Aboriginal peoples and fur traders use to create
trading networks in North America?
Canoes
How
long did the Hudson's Bay Company control the northern lands?
300 years
(1600's to the 1900's)
What
important trade did the Hudson's Bay Company control?
The Fur Trade
When
did thousands of miners first come to the Yukon?
During the
Gold Rush in the late 1800's
What
did the government do to make immigration to western Canada much easier?
Built a
Railway and offered cheap land
Which
group of people were important in the building of the Canadian Pacific
Railway?
Apparently
only the Chinese.
When
was the Canadian Pacific Railway finished?
November 7th
1885 the last spike of the CPR was driven home by Donald Smith at
Craigellachie
What
did the federal government do to encourage people to settle in the Prairie
provinces during the early 1900s?
Offered land
at cheap prices
What
does Confederation mean?
A joining
together of seperate nations in an equal partnership as a new country
What
is the Canadian Constitution?
The
system of laws and conventions by which the country governs itself.
In
what year did Canada become a country?
1867
Which
document made Confederation legal?
The British
North American act of 1867
Which
document first defined the responsibilities of the federal and provincial
governments?
The British
North American Act
When
did the British North America Act come into effect?
1867
Why
is the British North America Act important in Canadian history?
Technically
it was the document that created Canada
Which
four provinces first formed the Confederation?
Ontario
Nova
Scotia
Quebec
New
Brunswick
List
each province and territory and tell when each one joined the Confederation.
1867
Ontario
Nova
Scotia
Quebec
New
Brunswick
1870
Manitoba
Northwest Territories
1871
British Columbia
1873
Prince
Edward Island
1898
Yukon
Territory
1905
Alberta
Saskatchewan
1949
Newfoundland
1999
Nunavut
Which
was the last province to join Canada?
Newfoundland
When
is Canada Day and what does it celebrate?
July 1st It is the
anniversary of Confederation
Who
was the first prime minister of Canada?
Sir. John A
MacDonald
Why
is the Constitution Act of 1982 important in Canadian history?
In 1982, the new Constitution Act allowed Canadians
to change the Constitution without asking the British government's approval.
This is the year when the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
became part of the Canadian Constitution.
What
part of the Constitution legally protects the basic rights and freedoms of
all Canadians?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
When
did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the
Canadian Constitution?
1982
Name
two fundamental freedoms protected by the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Basic
freedoms, such as freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of
peaceful assembly.
Name
three legal rights protected by the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Democratic
rights, such as the right to vote;
Legal rights,
such as the right to a fair trial;
Equality
rights, such as the right to protection against discrimination;
Mobility
rights, such as the right to live and work anywhere in Canada;
List
four rights Canadian citizens have.
Be a
candidate in federal, provincial and territorial elections;
Be educated
in either official language;
Apply for a
Canadian passport;
Vote in
federal, provincial and territorial elections; and
Enter and
leave Canada freely.
List
three ways in which you can protect the environment.
Throw waste paper or
other garbage in designated public garbage containers. Recycle and re-use
as many products as possible, such as paper, glass and cans. Walk, join a
car pool, or use a bicycle or public transit whenever possible. Get involved
with a local group to protect our natural and cultural heritage
Who
has the right to apply for a Canadian passport?
Any Canadian
citizen
Who
has the right to enter and leave Canada at will?
Any Canadian
Citizen
Who
has the right to be considered first for a job in the federal government?
Canadian
Citizens
What
does equality under the law mean?
All men will
be treated equally
What
does "mobility rights" mean?
The right to
live and work anywhere in Canada
Name
six responsibilities of citizenship.
Vote in elections;
Help others in the
community;
Care for and
protect our heritage and environment;
Obey Canada's laws;
Express opinions
freely while respecting the rights and freedoms of others; and
Eliminate discrimination and injustice.
Give
an example of how you can care for Canada's natural heritage.
Join a
community group such as an environmental group
What
will you promise when you take the Oath of Citizenship?
That you will be
faithfull and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the
Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that you will
faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil your duties as a Canadian
Citizen
Explain
how a citizenship right can also be seen as a citizenship responsibility --
for example, the right to vote.
Give
an example of how you can show responsibility by participating in your
community.
Volunteer to work on an election campaign for a candidate of
your choice.
Help
your neighbours.
Work
with others to solve problems in your community.
Become a candidate in an election
Which
legal document recognizes the cultural diversity of Canadians?
The Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
What
are the two official languages of Canada?
English and
French
Which
legal documents protect the rights of Canadians with regard to official
languages?
The Canadian
Constitution and the Official Languages Act
Give
an example of where English and French have equal status in Canada.
English and French
have equal status in the Parliament of Canada, in federal courts and in all
federal institutions
Where
do most French-speaking Canadians live?
Quebec
(followed by Ontario)
Which
province has the most bilingual Canadians?
Quebec
Which
province is the only officially bilingual province?
New Brunswick
What
does the Canadian flag look like?
A rectangle with three equal vertical bars.
The two outside bars are red and the inside one is white. In the white
(inside) bar there is a red maple leaf
What
song is Canada's national anthem?
"O Canada"
Give
the first two lines of Canada's national anthem.
O
Canada!
Our
home and native land!
Where
does the name "Canada" come from?
In 1535, two Indian youths used the Huron-Iroquois word "kanata,"
which means "village" or "settlement," to tell Jacques Cartier the way to
Stadacona (site of present-day Québec City). Cartier used "Canada" to refer
not only to Stadacona, but also to the entire area subject to Donnacona,
Chief at Stadacona. By 1547, the first world map to show the discoveries
made on Cartier's second voyage applied the word "Canada" to the area north
of the gulf and river St. Lawrence. By 1550, maps were also placing the name
south of the river. The first use of "Canada" as an official name came in
1791 when the Constitutional Act (or Canada
Act) divided Québec, then considerably larger, into the provinces
of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. In 1841, they were united to become the
Province of Canada. At the time of Confederation, the new country took the
name of Canada.
Which
animal is an official symbol of Canada?
The Beaver
What
is the tower in the centre of the Parliament buildings called?
The Peace
Tower
What
unique art form was developed by the First Nations people on the West Coast?
The Totem
Pole
Why
is the North sometimes called the "Land of the Midnight Sun"?
Because of the suns
position low on the horizon during summer. Due to the tilt of the earth the
sun does not set at the high northern latitudes
An
act of Parliament was required to create a new territory in Canada's North.
What is the name of the new territory?
Nunavut
What
is the population of Canada?
Roughly 31
million people
What
three oceans border on Canada?
Pacific
Atlantic
Arctic
How
many provinces and territories are there in Canada?
10 Provinces
3 Territories
What
is the capital city of Canada?
Ottawa
Name
all the provinces and territories and their capital cities.
Newfoundland St.
John's
Prince
Edward Island Charlottetown
Nova
Scotia Halifax
New
Brunswick Fredericton
Quebec
Québec
Ontario Toronto
Manitoba Winnipeg
Saskatchewan Regina
Alberta Edmonton
British Columbia Victoria
Nunavut Iqaluit
Northwest Territories Yellowknife
Yukon
Territory Whitehorse
Name
the five regions of Canada.
Atlantic Region
Central Canada
Prairie Provinces
West
Coast
North
What
are the provinces of Central Canada?
Quebec
Toronto
What
are the provinces of the Atlantic Region?
Newfoundland
Prince
Edward Island
Nova
Scotia
New Brunswick
What
are the Prairie provinces?
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
What
are the territories of northern Canada?
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Yukon
Territory
Name
one province that is on the Atlantic coast of Canada.
Newfoundland
Name
a province on the Pacific coast of Canada.
British
Columbia
Which
region covers more than one-third of Canada?
The Northern
Region
Where
do more than half the people in Canada live?
In the
Southern part of Canada. It is claimed that most Canadians live within 100km
of the border
One-third
of all Canadians live in which province?
Ontario
What
is the Canadian Shield?
The land in northern
Quebec and Ontario is part of the Canadian Shield, a rock
formation that is
millions of years old. Canada is one of the world's leading producers of
minerals because of the rich deposits of gold, silver, nickel, zinc, copper
and iron ore found in the ancient rock of the Shield.
The Shield is
covered by forests, and part of Canada's major pulp and paper industry
relies on the trees of this region. Some of the vast freshwater resources of
the Shield
Where is the Canadian Shield?
Mainly
in Ontario and Quebec
Where
are the Canadian Rockies?
On the
Border between Alberta and British Columbia
Where
are the Great Lakes?
On the border
between the United States and Canada.The Great Lakes only touch the Province
of Ontario
What
are the names of the Great Lakes?
Lake Ontario
Lake Erie
Lake Huron
Lake Superior
Lake Michigan
Where
is the St. Lawrence Seaway?
At the
Eastern end of Lake Ontario. It joins the St.Lawrence river to the Atlantic
ocean.
Name
two mountain ranges in Canada.
Rocky ,
Columbia, Coast
Which
territory shares a border with another country?
Yukon
Territory (borders Alaska)
Which
province is known as the "Land of 100,000 Lakes"?
Manitoba
Which
provinces are joined to New Brunswick by land?
Quebec and
Nova Scotia
To
which ocean is Newfoundland closest?
Atlantic
Ocean
Which
mountain range forms a border between Alberta and British Columbia?
The Rocky
Mountain range
Which
two provinces are closest to Prince Edward Island?
Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick
Which
province in Canada is the smallest in land size?
Prince Edward
Island
Where
are the Parliament buildings located?
Ottawa
Which
country borders Canada on the south?
United States
of America
What
are the three main types of industries in Canada?
Natural resources, manufacturing and services
In
what sorts of jobs do most Canadians work?
Over 70% have
jobs in the service industries
What
country is Canada's largest trading partner?
United States
of America
Why
are the Great Lakes important to Canada?
As a source
of trading as well as a fresh water source for people and industries
Why
is the St. Lawrence Seaway important to Canada?
Ships from all over
the world reach the Great Lakes from the Atlantic Ocean by way of the St.
Lawrence Seaway. The Seaway makes it possible for ocean-going ships to
travel on the St. Lawrence River and the small rivers between the Great
Lakes.
Why
is the Canadian Shield important to Canada's economy?
The rich
mineral deposits and the vast forest region
List
four important minerals found in the Canadian Shield.
Gold, silver, nickel, zinc, copper and iron ore
Which
province is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world?
Saskatchewan
Which
region is known as the industrial and manufacturing heartland of Canada?
Central
Canada
Which
region of Canada is known for both its fertile agricultural land and
valuable energy resources?
The Prairie
Region
Which
two provinces produce more than three-quarters of Canadian manufactured
goods?
Ontario and
Quebec
Which
province is the biggest producer of metals in Canada?
Ontario
Which
province is Canada's main producer of pulp and paper?
Ontario
Which
province has the largest dairy farming industry in Canada?
Quebec
Which
province has the most valuable forest industry in Canada?
British
Columbia
Which
province is Canada's major producer of oil and gas?
Alberta
Which
province is Canada's leading wheat producer?
Saskatchewan
Which
province is Canada's largest producer of hydroelectricity?
Quebec
Which
two fuels provide about one-half of all the energy used in Canada?
Oil and
Natural Gas
Which
products from southern Ontario are among Canada's key exports?
Products from
the auto industry
Name
three minerals still being mined in the territories today.
Gold, Lead
and Zinc
Which
city provides important shipping and air links between Canada and other
countries across the Pacific Ocean?
Vancouver
What
products are produced in the Niagara Peninsula?
Fruit and
Wine
More
than half of Canada's aeronautics and space industries are located in which
province?
Quebec
For
what is the Okanagan Valley famous?
Fruit
Orchards (but try the Wine)
What
fish is a valuable industry on the West Coast?
Salmon
Who
is Canada's Head of State?
Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II
Who
is the Queen's representative in Canada?
The Governor
General
What
is the name of the Governor General?
Adrienne
Clarkson
What
do you call the Queen's representative in the provinces and territories?
Lieutenant-Governor
What
is Canada's system of government called?
Parliamentary
What
are the three parts of Parliament?
The Queen
The House of
Commons
The Senate
What
are the three levels of government in Canada?
Federal
Provincial
(or Territorial)
Municipal
(or Local)
Explain
how the three levels of government are different.
In general, the
federal government takes major responsibility for matters that affect all of
Canada. These include national defence, foreign policy and citizenship.
Provincial and
territorial governments look after such matters as education, health
care and highways.
They share responsibilities with the federal government in some areas.
The municipal (or
local) governments of each city or community are responsible for matters
such as policing, firefighting, snow removal and recycling programs.
Name
two levels of government and explain how they are different.
Provincial
Governments look after such matters as education, health care and
highways in the
province which effects all the people who live in that Province.
The municipal (or
local) governments of each city or community are responsible for local
matters which effect only the citizens of that area.
Name
two responsibilities for each level of government.
Federal government - National defence, foreign policy and
citizenship.
Provincial government - education, health care and highways.
Municipal (or local) government - Policing, firefighting, snow
removal,recycling
programs.
What
do you call a law before it is passed?
A bill
How
does a bill become a law?
To become law, a
bill must be approved by majorities in the House of Commons and in the
Senate.
What
is the final step before a bill becomes a law?
Once a
majority of MPs and senators have approved a bill,the Governor General
gives final approval and the bill becomes
law.
What
do the initials MP stand for in Canadian politics?
Member of
Parliament
How
are members of Parliament chosen?
Canadian
citizens go to the polls to elect their local representative
Who
do members of Parliament represent?
An elected MP
represents everyone who lives in his or her electoral district, even the
people who did not vote for the MP
What
does a member of Parliament do?
Represents
your ideas when new laws are being proposed;
Asks
questions about the government on your behalf
Helps you if
you need information from the government or if you have any problem
with the
government.
What
is an "electoral district"?
An electoral
district is a geographical area represented by a member of the House of
Commons.
How
many electoral districts are there in Canada?
301
In
what electoral district do you live?
Halton
What
four requirements must you meet in order to vote in a federal election?
A Canadian
Citizen
At least 18
years old
Be on the
National Register of Electors
Have a Notice
of Confirmation of Registration
What
is a Notice of Confirmation of Registration?
The
notice tells you when and where to vote
What
is a polling station?
Any
designated building or area where you may cast your vote
What
is a ballot?
A piece of
paper which has the names of the local candidates on it.
What
is written on an election ballot?
The ballot lists the
names of the candidates in your electoral district in alphabetical order.
What
do you mark on a federal election ballot?
An "X"
in the circle beside the name of your chosen candidate
What
does voting by secret ballot mean?
This means that no
one can watch you vote and no one should look at your marked ballot.
Who
has the right to vote in federal elections?
Any Canadian
Citizen over the age of 18
Who
has the right to run as a candidate in federal elections?
Any Canadian
citizen over the age of 18
Who
do Canadians vote for in a federal election?
The
people in each electoral district vote for the candidate of their choice
How
is the government formed after an election?
After an election,
the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power.
The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and
the party in power run the government as long as they have the support of
the majority of the Members of Parliament (MPs), in the House of Commons
How is the prime minister chosen?
The Prime
Minister is normally the leader of the party with the majority of votes cast
When
does an election have to be held according to the Constitution?
According to
Canada's Constitution, an election must be held within five years of the
last election.
What
do political parties do?
A political party is
a group of people who share ideas about how the government should work
Members of political
parties help to: decide on the party platform; choose the party leader;
choose the party's candidates; and campaign for party candidates in
elections
What
does "party platform" mean?
Members of
political parties hold meetings where they discuss their ideas and
opinions. They
develop plans for what they would do if their candidates were elected to
form the government. The plans they make are called the party platform.
Name
all the federal political parties represented in the House of Commons and
their leaders.
Liberal - Stephane Dion
Conservative Party - Stephan Harper
Bloc
Quebecois - Gilles Duceppe
New
Democratic Party - Jack Layton
Which federal political party is in power?
Conservative Party
To
which party does your member of Parliament belong?
Liberal
Party
What
does it mean for a political party to "be in power"?
They have won
the most "seats" in an election and have formed the Goverment. Their brief
is to manage the affairs of the country on a daily basis.
What
are the parties that are not in power called?
The
Opposition (parties)
Which
party becomes the Official Opposition?
The party
with the second largest amount of MP's.
What
is the role of the Opposition parties?
The role of
the Opposition parties is to oppose or try to improve government proposals.
Which
party is the Official Opposition at the federal level?
Conservative
Party
What
is a political candidate?
A citizen who is seeking election to the parliament based on a set
of principles they believe in.
What
do you call a candidate who does not belong to a political party?
Independent
What
is a Cabinet minister?
The Prime Minister
chooses several MPs to become Cabinet ministers. Cabinet
ministers are
responsible for running the federal government departments. The
Prime Minister and
the Cabinet ministers are called the Cabinet, and they make
important decisions
about how to run the country. They also propose most new laws. Their
decisions can be questioned by all MPs in the House of Commons
How
are senators chosen?
The people who serve
in the Senate are chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Governor
General
How
can a party in power be defeated in Parliament?
At the polls or by
being out-voted in a motion If a majority of the MPs vote against a major
government decision, the party in power where he is defeated. The Prime
Minister resigns and a new election is usually held
What is the name of
the Prime Minister of Canada?
Stephan
Harper
What
is the name of your member of Parliament?
Garth Turner
How
can you contact your member of Parliament?
Telephone, Mail, E-mail, Constituency Office, Internet.
Who
do provincial members of the legislative or national assemblies represent?
The voters of
the province or riding that they are elected to represent
What
level of government passes "by-laws"?
Municipal
Section II. Questions about your region
When
did settlers from Europe first come to your region?
Late 1600's
Who
were the first settlers in the area where you live?
United Empire
Loyalists
Why
did the early Europeans come to your region in the 1600s, 1700s, 1800s or
early 1900s?
To escape the
American Revolution
What
is the capital city of the province or territory in which you live?
Toronto
What
are the major industries of your city, province and region today?
Mining -
Nickel, gold, silver, platinum, uranium, zinc and copper
The
automobile industry
The Forestry
industry
Farming
Technology
(computer based)
What
is the most valuable manufacturing industry in your region today?
The
Automobile industry
List
three minerals found in your region.
Gold, zinc,
nickel, copper
List
three natural resources important to your region's economy today.
Forests
Water
Mineral
deposits
List
the activities that are important to the tourism industry in your region.
Winter sports
Water sports
Cultural
activities
Business
activities
What
has always been important to the economy in your region?
An abundance
of water
Who
is your city councillor, alderperson, reeve or regional councillor?
Ward 6
Regional Councillor - Kurt Franklin
City Councillor - Kurt Franklin and Janice Wright
What
is the name of your mayor?
Grodon Krantz
What
is the name of your provincial representative (member of the Legislative
Assembly, member of the provincial Parliament, member of the National
Assembly or member of the House of Assembly)?
Ted Chudleigh
What
is the name of the premier of your province?
Dalton McGuinty
Which
political party is in power in your province or territory?
Liberals
What
is the name of the leader of the Opposition in your province?
John Tory
What
is the name of your lieutenant-governor or commissioner?
James Bartleman
