Close X
Friday, November 15, 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

Bust results in seizure of cash and drugs: Kelowna RCMP

Bust results in seizure of cash and drugs: Kelowna RCMP
The officer stopped a green 1997 Toyota Corolla on April 29th after it failed to stop for a pedestrian crossing the street at a marked crosswalk. When the officer had the driver exit the vehicle on suspicion of driving under the influence, a clear baggy of suspected drugs fell to the ground.

Bust results in seizure of cash and drugs: Kelowna RCMP

BC temp records broken on Tuesday

BC temp records broken on Tuesday
Environment Canada says heat records were broken in eight different areas as a ridge of high pressure brought in warm spring weather. In Nelson, the temperature hit 30.2 Celsius, breaking a record set back in 1937.

BC temp records broken on Tuesday

No word on which Canadians will attend crowning of King Charles in London

No word on which Canadians will attend crowning of King Charles in London
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon will be at Westminster Abbey this weekend as the King is officially crowned, but the rest of the official Canadian delegation largely remains a mystery.

No word on which Canadians will attend crowning of King Charles in London

Burglary suspect arrested in North Vancouver

Burglary suspect arrested in North Vancouver
R-C-M-P say a man in his 30s has been arrested and charged with break-and-enter after a burglary in North Vancouver. They say officers spotted a man a short distance away who matched the description of one of the suspects and seized electronic devices worth six-thousand dollars, which were then returned to the business.

Burglary suspect arrested in North Vancouver

Canada pledges $71 million in aid for Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic

Canada pledges $71 million in aid for Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic
Sajjan says the funds will flow through agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross as well as non-governmental organizations to provide basic food, water and health services. Nearly $31 million will go toward Sudan, while slightly more will be sent to South Sudan, which seceded from that country in 2011.

Canada pledges $71 million in aid for Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic

More boots on the ground to address safety in New Westminster

More boots on the ground to address safety in New Westminster
New Westminster police says they are temporarily increasing their presence in the city's downtown in an effort to address safety concerns. It says this comes after a shooting, two stabbings and several assaults with weapons in the past two months. 

More boots on the ground to address safety in New Westminster