Monday, December 22, 2025
ADVT 
National

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Jun, 2023 10:07 AM
  • Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

Canadians' hearts may be brimming with pride as Canada Day approaches, but a new poll suggests their minds aren't full of the knowledge needed to pass a citizenship test.

In a survey of 1,512 Canadian adults, Leger found that only 23 per cent would pass the citizenship test, based on their answers to 10 randomly selected questions.

People who wish to become Canadian need to answer 20 questions about citizens' rights and responsibilities, as well as Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.

They need to score at least 75 per cent to pass, but the average score of the Canadians who were surveyed was only 49 per cent.

The questions focused on things like famous Canadians (Who is John Buchan?), history (Who established the first European settlements in Canada?) and national symbols (Whose portrait is on the Canadian $10 bill?).

The correct answers, for those struggling along with most survey respondents, are: a popular governor general, the French and Viola Desmond.

History questions seemed to trip up respondents the most: For example, only 24 per cent knew that the House of Commons recognized in 2006 that the Québécois form a nation within a united Canada.

Only 29 per cent knew the Constitutional Act granted legislative assemblies elected by the people, and only 41 per cent knew that English settlement began in 1610.

They fared slightly better when it came to national symbols and influential people: 49 per cent knew that Marjorie Turner-Bailey is an Olympian and descendant of black loyalists, and 42 per cent recognized Canada's motto, "From sea to sea."

Most Canadians were also in-the-know about the main groups of Indigenous Peoples in the country, with 79 per cent correctly identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

People in Western Canada scored slightly better than their East Coast counterparts, with average scores in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia at 50 per cent.

Those in Atlantic Canada scored the lowest, with a 44 per cent on average.

When the results were broken down by political affiliations, People's Party of Canada supporters had the lowest average score at 47 per cent, while people who vote for the Bloc Québécois scored the highest, at 51 per cent.

There was one question most people seemed to have no problem answering: 81 per cent said they were proud to be Canadian.

The poll cannot be assigned a margin of error because online surveys are not considered truly random samples.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond stripped of B.C. award

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond stripped of B.C. award
The association says board members believed Turpel-Lafond's representations about her professional accomplishments and Cree heritage when it granted the award recognizing substantial contributions to civil liberties in B.C. and Canada.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond stripped of B.C. award

B.C. government orders probe of Prince George RCMP

B.C. government orders probe of Prince George RCMP
The independent commission that ensures the impartial examination of complaints about the RCMP already issued an interim report to the RCMP commissioner about the matter and Farnworth's office says the commissioner agreed with the report's findings and recommendations.

B.C. government orders probe of Prince George RCMP

Surrey Council approves contract for 152 Street Road Widening Project

Surrey Council approves contract for 152 Street Road Widening Project
During Monday night’s meeting, Surrey Council also awarded a $594,278 Consultant Construction Agreement to McElhanney Ltd., and approved the expenditure of $850,000 payable to BC Hydro for the relocation and modification of BC Hydro infrastructure necessary for the project.

Surrey Council approves contract for 152 Street Road Widening Project

New West Police and BC anti-gang task force investigation results in seizure of guns, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and arrest of 5 men

New West Police and BC anti-gang task force investigation results in seizure of guns, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and arrest of 5 men
All were arrested at various locations throughout the Lower Mainland on March 7th and have remained in custody overnight.  The investigation remains ongoing and CFSEU-BC anticipates that more charges may be forthcoming.

New West Police and BC anti-gang task force investigation results in seizure of guns, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and arrest of 5 men

Man in B.C.'s north dies after hit by snow plow

Man in B.C.'s north dies after hit by snow plow
The pedestrian was on a street in a business area of Fort St. John when he was hit Monday. A statement from RCMP says bystanders provided first aid but the unresponsive victim was pronounced dead in hospital.    

Man in B.C.'s north dies after hit by snow plow

Safety board to release report on B.C. tug sinking

Safety board to release report on B.C. tug sinking
Transportation Safety Board chair Kathy Fox and Clifford Harvey, the director of marine investigations, will hold a news conference to reveal the findings on the sinking of the tug Ingenika in February 2021. The tug was towing a barge and had a captain and two crew members aboard when it took on water and sank in Gardner Canal.    

Safety board to release report on B.C. tug sinking