CITIZENSHIP TEST PRACTICE
Canadian citizenship test: 25 key words explained
A simple meaning, an example and a memory tip for each key word.
Please read. Independent practice material. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Government of Canada. Not immigration or legal advice. We cannot promise any result.
1. The Crown and the leaders
- Sovereign The King or Queen. The head of state of Canada.
- Governor General The person who represents the Sovereign in Canada.
- Prime Minister The leader of the government.
- Premier The leader of a province's government.
- Mayor The leader of a city or town council.
- Cabinet The ministers chosen by the Prime Minister.
2. Parliament
- Parliament The group that makes federal laws: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
- House of Commons The part of Parliament where elected members sit.
- Senate The part of Parliament where appointed senators sit.
- Member of Parliament A person elected to speak for one area in the House of Commons.
- Opposition The party that challenges the government.
- Royal Assent The last step that turns a bill into a law.
3. Elections, rights and courts
- Riding The area that elects one MP.
- Ballot The paper where you mark your vote.
- Minority government A government whose party has less than half of the seats.
- Charter The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It protects basic freedoms.
- Supreme Court The highest court in Canada.
- Presumption of innocence You are innocent until a court proves you guilty.
4. The country and its peoples
- Confederation The start of Canada as a country on July 1, 1867.
- Federal About the national government.
- Constitution The highest law of the country.
- Province One of ten parts of Canada with its own government.
- Territory One of three northern parts of Canada.
- Aboriginal peoples First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
- Francophone A person whose first language is French.
Source
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