The Justice System: Canadian Citizenship Test Questions

Q1.What is the highest court in Canada?

• The Federal Court
• The Supreme Court of Canada
• The Court of Queen's Bench
• The House of Commons

Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada is the country's highest court. It has nine judges appointed by the Governor General.

Q2.Canada's justice system is founded on the presumption of innocence. What does this mean?

• Everyone is guilty until proven innocent
• Everyone is innocent until proven guilty
• Only citizens get a trial
• Judges decide guilt before trial

Answer: Our judicial system is founded on the presumption of innocence in criminal matters — everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Q3.In which two provinces does the RCMP NOT serve as the provincial police force?

• Alberta and British Columbia
• Ontario and Quebec
• Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
• Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Answer: The RCMP serves as the provincial police in every province and territory except Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial forces.

Q4.In Canada, are you allowed to question the police about their service or conduct?

• No, that is illegal
• Yes — almost all police forces have a process for raising concerns
• Only with a lawyer present
• Only if you are a citizen

Answer: Yes. You can question the police about their service or conduct; almost all forces have a process to bring concerns and seek action.

Q5.What principle means that the law applies equally to everyone, including judges, politicians, and the police?

• Federalism
• The rule of law
• Habeas corpus
• Responsible government

Answer: The rule of law is a founding principle: individuals and governments are regulated by laws, and no person or group is above the law.

Q6.What is the role of the courts in Canada?

• To make laws
• To settle disputes and apply the law fairly
• To enforce laws on the street
• To collect taxes

Answer: The courts settle disputes and apply the law; the police enforce the law; and elected representatives make the laws.

Q7.What is the role of the police in Canada?

• To make the laws
• To keep people safe and enforce the law
• To settle lawsuits between citizens
• To collect federal taxes

Answer: The police keep people safe and enforce the law; they are there to protect people and their property.

Q8.If you are arrested or detained in Canada, what is one of your rights?

• To be told only after 24 hours why you were arrested
• To know promptly why you were arrested and to get a lawyer
• To leave whenever you wish
• To refuse to give your name forever

Answer: If arrested, you have the right to be told promptly the reason, to retain and instruct a lawyer without delay, and to be informed of that right.

Q9.What is the full name of Canada's national police force, the RCMP?

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Royal Canadian Military Police
• Regional Canadian Mounted Patrol
• Royal Crown Municipal Police

Answer: The RCMP stands for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada's national police force.

Q10.True or False: In Canada you can be detained or imprisoned by the government without a fair hearing.

• True
• False

Answer: False. Canadians are guaranteed the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned, and to a fair and public hearing by an independent court.

Q11.At which level of government are most municipal (local) police forces organized?

• The federal government
• The city or town
• The United Nations
• The Supreme Court

Answer: Many cities and towns have their own municipal police forces serving the local community, alongside provincial and federal policing.

Q12.In a Canadian criminal trial, who must prove that the accused is guilty?

• The accused person
• The defence lawyer
• The state (the prosecution)
• The jury

Answer: Because of the presumption of innocence, the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt; the accused does not have to prove innocence.

Q13.What does it mean that Canada has an independent, impartial judiciary?

• Judges are elected by voters
• Judges decide cases free from political interference
• Judges also write the laws
• Judges report to the Prime Minister

Answer: An independent judiciary means judges apply the law impartially, free from political pressure, ensuring fair treatment for all.

Q14.Who is responsible for making (passing) the laws in Canada?

• The police
• The courts and judges
• Elected representatives in Parliament and the legislatures
• The RCMP Commissioner

Answer: Elected representatives in Parliament and the provincial and territorial legislatures pass the laws; courts apply them and police enforce them.

Q15.True or False: In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.

• True
• False

Answer: True. In Canada, men and women are equal under the law and are entitled to equal treatment by governments and in society.

Q16.Which of these is a responsibility of citizens that helps the justice system work?

• Serving on a jury when called
• Appointing judges
• Writing new criminal laws
• Commanding the police

Answer: Serving on a jury when called is a responsibility of citizenship; it makes the justice system work, as people are tried by a jury of their peers.

Q17.In addition to enforcing the law, what else are the police expected to do?

• Decide criminal sentences
• Treat everyone fairly and according to the law
• Pass municipal bylaws
• Choose Supreme Court judges

Answer: The police keep people safe and must themselves obey the law; they are expected to treat everyone fairly.

Q18.Which founding principle holds that there is one law for all, and that society is based on ordered liberty rather than the whims of those in power?

• Free enterprise
• The rule of law
• Multiculturalism
• Bilingualism

Answer: The rule of law means society runs on orderly rules everyone must follow, including those who govern, not the arbitrary will of rulers.

Q19.How many judges sit on the Supreme Court of Canada?

• Five
• Seven
• Nine
• Twelve

Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada is the final court of appeal and has nine judges.

Q20.Where would a minor dispute, such as a small traffic violation, most likely be handled?

• The Supreme Court of Canada
• A provincial or territorial court
• The House of Commons
• The Senate

Answer: Provincial and territorial courts handle most everyday matters; the Supreme Court is reserved as the final court of appeal for the most important cases.