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

B.C. nurses ratify new three-year collective agreement

B.C. nurses ratify new three-year collective agreement
The BC Nurses' Union says 61 per cent of its members voted in favour of the new deal, which also includes improvements in job flexibility and access to leaves, and investments in workplace health and safety.

B.C. nurses ratify new three-year collective agreement

The first 2 Canadian-operated evacuation planes left the capital of Sudan today

The first 2 Canadian-operated evacuation planes left the capital of Sudan today
Global Affairs Canada says more than 100 Canadians still in Sudan have asked for the government's help to get out. Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, says the military will continue evacuations as long as they can.

The first 2 Canadian-operated evacuation planes left the capital of Sudan today

Police issue warning after B.C. senior loses $7.5 million in cryptocurrency scam

Police issue warning after B.C. senior loses $7.5 million in cryptocurrency scam
Police say the app she was using was a fake made to look legitimate and when she realized she couldn't withdraw money, the fraudster disappeared. Police say the victim was then contacted by someone else who said he could help get her money back and threatened her until she sent more in what turned out to be a second scam.

Police issue warning after B.C. senior loses $7.5 million in cryptocurrency scam

Not able to support policing decision due to lack of data: Kevin Falcon

Not able to support policing decision due to lack of data: Kevin Falcon
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth is set to announce tomorrow whether the R-C-M-P or a municipal police service will be responsible for policing the city. Mayor Brenda Locke says the transition back to R-C-M-P will be less expensive than changing the police service.

Not able to support policing decision due to lack of data: Kevin Falcon

Police involved shooting in Prince George

Police involved shooting in Prince George
It happened last night as police responded to a call about a man attacking others at a home on Oak Street. Shots were reportedly fired after officers arrived and tried to take a man into custody.  

Police involved shooting in Prince George

Attempted armed robbery at Chilliwack bank

Attempted armed robbery at Chilliwack bank
The RCMP says officers, including the integrated emergency response team, air support and police dogs, were called to the bank just after noon on Thursday. Police issued a statement asking the public to stay away from the area.  

Attempted armed robbery at Chilliwack bank