The Oath of Citizenship

Official source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/discover-canada/read-online/oath-citizenship.html

• 1.Which applicants must have adequate knowledge of English or French to become Canadian citizens?

  • ✓Those between the ages of 18 and 54
  • All applicants, at any age
  • Only those aged 55 and over
  • Only those under the age of 18

  Answer: Those between the ages of 18 and 54

  Why: The language requirement applies to immigrants between the ages of 18 and 54. Knowledge of one official language is enough; both are never required.

• 2.Which of the following is NOT what Canadians profess loyalty to?

  • A person who represents all Canadians
  • The Sovereign
  • The King of Canada
  • ✓A banner such as a flag

  Answer: A banner such as a flag

  Why: Loyalty is not professed to a document such as a constitution, a banner such as a flag, or a geopolitical entity such as a country. It is professed to the Sovereign, who encompasses all three.

• 3.According to the Oath, what will new citizens faithfully observe?

  • The customs and traditions of Canada
  • ✓The laws of Canada, including the Constitution
  • The rulings of the Supreme Court alone
  • The laws of their province only

  Answer: The laws of Canada, including the Constitution

  Why: The laws of Canada, including the Constitution. The Constitution is named explicitly rather than left implied.

• 4.What does Discover Canada say Canadians have done to defend their way of life?

  • They have kept their borders closed
  • They have avoided all foreign conflicts
  • ✓They have made sacrifices
  • They have relied on allies to defend them

  Answer: They have made sacrifices

  Why: They have made sacrifices. The guide pairs pride in Canadian identity with the sacrifices made to defend it.

• 5.Alongside their rights, what two things must Canadian citizens do?

  • Serve in the military and pay a citizenship levy
  • Renounce any other citizenship and register annually
  • Learn both official languages and vote in every election
  • ✓Obey Canada's laws and respect the rights and freedoms of others

  Answer: Obey Canada's laws and respect the rights and freedoms of others

  Why: Rights come with responsibilities: citizens must obey Canada's laws and respect the rights and freedoms of others.

• 6.In Canada's constitutional monarchy, who encompasses the constitution, the flag and the country?

  • Parliament
  • The Prime Minister
  • ✓The Sovereign
  • The Chief Justice

  Answer: The Sovereign

  Why: The Sovereign, King or Queen. That is why loyalty to one person stands for loyalty to all of them.

• 7.Whom does the Oath of Citizenship name as the Sovereign?

  • ✓His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada
  • The Speaker of the House of Commons
  • The Governor General of Canada
  • The Prime Minister of Canada

  Answer: His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada

  Why: Since the accession of King Charles III the Oath is sworn to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada. Printed copies of Discover Canada still name Queen Elizabeth the Second and are out of date on this point.

• 8.Besides voting procedures, which subjects must citizenship applicants learn about?

  • Commonwealth history and international treaties
  • ✓History, symbols, democratic institutions, geography, and rights and responsibilities
  • Provincial tax law and municipal by-laws
  • Canadian literature and popular music

  Answer: History, symbols, democratic institutions, geography, and rights and responsibilities

  Why: Canada's history, symbols, democratic institutions, geography, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

• 9.Why does the Oath of Citizenship begin "I swear (or affirm)"?

  • So it can be taken in either English or French
  • Because applicants under 18 use a shorter wording
  • Because dual citizens swear a different oath
  • ✓So it can be taken either as a religious oath or as a solemn affirmation

  Answer: So it can be taken either as a religious oath or as a solemn affirmation

  Why: The wording lets the Oath be taken either as a religious oath or as a solemn affirmation, so no one has to make a religious declaration to become a citizen.

• 10.What title does the Oath of Citizenship give the Sovereign in relation to Canada?

  • Head of the Canadian State Church
  • Emperor of the Dominions
  • ✓King of Canada
  • King of the Commonwealth

  Answer: King of Canada

  Why: King of Canada. The Sovereign holds the Canadian Crown separately from the crowns of other Commonwealth realms, which is why the Oath names Canada specifically.