Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
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

'Serve all Albertans': Smith says UCP majority government to focus on economy

'Serve all Albertans': Smith says UCP majority government to focus on economy
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it’s time to put personal and political attacks in the “rear-view mirror” and focus on the province’s economy. Smith’s United Conservative Party won a majority government in Monday’s provincial election. 

'Serve all Albertans': Smith says UCP majority government to focus on economy

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal
To encourage more travellers to use the mid-Island link between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, a number of saver fares will be offered, including one at 39-dollars for a vehicle and driver -- a roughly 50 per cent savings.

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF
The B-C Teachers Federation has completed its first-ever survey of members and says the results show teachers' stress and workloads are climbing. Roughly 40 per cent of teachers say they have less preparation time this year than they did in 2022 and approximately the same number say their physical or mental health is worse than it was last year.

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour
North Vancouver R-C-M-P say they were alerted to a man "causing public alarm" Monday morning on the Mosquito Creek trail under an overpass, and officers had to confront his "aggressive" and threatening behaviour. 

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities
The British Columbia government has released 12 priorities for anti-racism research in its first update since the Anti-Racism Data Act came into effect last June. The province says the focus will be in areas such as racial diversity within the public service, interactions with the justice system and how health care and education differs for various demographic groups.  

B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
Kwan said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service spent an hour with her on Friday laying out the intelligence it possesses that she has been targeted by China since before the 2019 federal election over her advocacy for human rights in Hong Kong and for the Uyghur Muslim minority in China.

New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China