CAEC Canadian Civics and Government 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which level of government in Canada is responsible for education?

Federal government
Provincial and territorial governments (Correct answer)
Municipal governments
The Senate

Correct answer: Provincial and territorial governments

Education in Canada is a provincial and territorial responsibility under the Constitution Act, 1867.

Under the Constitution Act, 1867, education falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. This means each province and territory sets its own curriculum, funds its school boards, and regulates teacher certification. There is no national curriculum in Canada, which is why graduation requirements vary across the country.

Question 2: What is the role of the Governor General of Canada?

To lead the federal cabinet
To represent the Crown and perform constitutional duties (Correct answer)
To pass federal legislation
To appoint the Prime Minister without consultation

Correct answer: To represent the Crown and perform constitutional duties

The Governor General is the monarch's representative in Canada and carries out constitutional and ceremonial duties.

The Governor General acts as the representative of the Canadian monarch (currently King Charles III) at the federal level. Key duties include swearing in the Prime Minister and cabinet, reading the Speech from the Throne, granting royal assent to bills, and representing Canada at official functions. The role is largely ceremonial, as real executive power rests with the Prime Minister and cabinet.

Question 3: How many seats are in the Canadian House of Commons (approximately, as of recent redistributions)?

105
265
338 (Correct answer)
400

Correct answer: 338

The House of Commons currently has 338 seats, with representation based on population by province and territory.

After the 2015 electoral redistribution, the House of Commons grew to 338 seats. Seat counts for each province are recalculated after every census to reflect population changes. Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta have the most seats due to their large populations. All three territories have one seat each.

Question 4: What is a 'minority government' in Canada?

A government led by a party representing a minority ethnic group
A government where the ruling party holds fewer than half of the seats in the House of Commons (Correct answer)
A government that has lost a confidence vote
A government with fewer than 100 MPs

Correct answer: A government where the ruling party holds fewer than half of the seats in the House of Commons

A minority government occurs when the governing party holds fewer than 50% of the seats and must seek support from other parties to govern.

In Canada's Westminster parliamentary system, a minority government exists when the party in power does not hold a majority of seats (170 out of 338) in the House of Commons. Minority governments must negotiate with opposition parties to pass legislation and survive confidence votes. They tend to be less stable than majority governments and often lead to earlier elections.

Question 5: Which document is considered the supreme law of Canada?

The British North America Act (1867) only
The Constitution Act, 1982, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Correct answer)
The Criminal Code of Canada
The Magna Carta

Correct answer: The Constitution Act, 1982, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Constitution Act, 1982, which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is the supreme law of Canada.

Canada's constitution is the supreme law of the land, meaning all other laws must be consistent with it. The Constitution Act, 1982 patriated the constitution from Britain and added the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights, and language rights. Courts can strike down laws that violate the constitution.

Question 6: What is the purpose of a federal election in Canada?

To elect senators to the Senate
To elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons (Correct answer)
To elect the Prime Minister directly
To vote on constitutional amendments

Correct answer: To elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons

Federal elections elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent ridings in the House of Commons.

In a federal election, Canadian citizens vote for a candidate to represent their electoral district (riding) in the House of Commons. The leader of the party that wins the most seats is typically asked by the Governor General to form the government and becomes Prime Minister. Canadians do not vote directly for the Prime Minister — they vote for their local MP. Federal elections must occur at least every five years.

CAEC Canadian Civics and Government 2

Which level of government in Canada is responsible for education?