Categories
Dan's Stuff

You say you’re a great Canadian, eh. Prove it!

The ‘You’re a Great Canadian’ Canada Day Quiz 2003
True or false? Wilfrid Laurier was the first Prime Minister born in what is now Quebec
By Randy Ray and Mark Kearney
Canada Day is a time for enjoying a ball game, lounging around the pool or taking part in the fireworks and festivities at Parliament Hill. But let’s not forget the other national pastime that commands the attention of Canadians — politics.
Canadians of all stripes love talking, reading, and debating about the people and events that make up Canada’s political scene. But while they may be familiar with the faces and issues, what do they know about our rich political heritage and the people who shaped it, especially all you political insiders on Parliament Hill and across the country?
On this Canada Day 2003, take a few moments to test your knowledge of the politicians, symbols and political events that are an integral part of Canada’s history.
Score well and you might just deserve the title “Right Honourable.” (The answers are below).
1. Canadian-born Andrew Bonar Law was once Prime Minister of which country?
a) Great Britain b) Australia c) Canada d) South Africa
2. When Canada was formed in 1867, what was the maximum yearly salary a Member of Parliament could earn?
a) $300 b) $600 c) $1,200 d) $3,000.
3. What was Prime Minister John Diefenbaker’s middle name?
a) Herbert b) Albert c) Michael d) George e) Arthur
4. What is the name of the statue on the dome of the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg?
5. True or false? Wilfrid Laurier was the first Prime Minister born in what is now Quebec.
6. In which year was “O Canada” officially proclaimed as Canada’s national anthem?
a) 1939 b) 1967 c) 1977 d) 1980 e) never
7. Red and white are the colours of Canada’s national flag. Who designated them as Canada’s official colours?
a) King George V b) Prime Minister Lester Pearson c) Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent d) Queen Elizabeth II
8. In addition to being Prime Ministers of Canada, what do Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir John Sparrow David Thompson have in common?
a) both were born in Kingston b) both died while in office c) they were elected to the House of Commons on the same day d) neither ever married.
9. E.B. Eddy was the founder of a successful lumber, paper and match business in Hull and in the late 1800s, served as the community’s mayor. While mayor, which of the following can he take credit for?
a) introduction of a bill to create the city of Hull b) a 50-per-cent reduction in property taxes for Hull businesses c) opening the first tavern in Hull.
10. Where in Canada did women first have the legal right to vote?
a) Quebec b) Ontario c) Nova Scotia d) Manitoba
11. Who held the office of Prime Minister for the shortest period of time?
a) Alexander Mackenzie b) Sir Charles Tupper c) Joe Clark d) John Turner
12. What final alteration was made in 1965 before the red and white Maple Leaf flag was adopted?
a) the maple leaf was enlarged by one inch b) a deeper shade of red was used c) two points were removed from the base of the maple leaf d) the stem of the maple leaf was shortened.
13. What was flying atop the Peace Tower on Feb. 15, 1965 before the first official raising of Canada’s Maple Leaf flag took place?
a) the Union Jack b) nothing c) Red Ensign d) the Governor General’s standard
14. Who was the first Senator to serve as Canada’s Prime Minister?
15. In what year did the Conservative Party and the Progressive Party merge to become the Progressive Conservative Party?
a) 1939 b) 1952 c) 1941 d) 1954
16. What did the federal government outlaw in September 1972 for safety reasons?
a) firecrackers b) open-wheeled go-carts c) smoking in airplanes d) expense accounts for politicians.
17. I was a champion of justice issues including women’s rights when I was elected to the House of Commons in 1921. Who am I?
18. Three of the four original provinces that made up Canada on July 1, 1867 were Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Name the fourth.
19. Where did MPs meet after fire gutted the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in 1916?
a) The East Block b) Ottawa City Hall c) the Museum of Nature d) Lansdowne Park
20. Unscramble the following letters to form the name of one of Canada’s Prime Ministers: tarruh gmeenhi.
Randy Ray of Ottawa, a former Parliament Hill correspondent, and Mark Kearney of London, Ont., are the authors of The Great Canadian Trivia Books and I Know That Name! The People Behind Canada’s Best-Known Brand Names. For more Canadiana, visit their Web site at www.triviaguys.com
ANSWERS
1. a) Great Britain, in 1922
2. b) $600
3. d) George
4. The Golden Boy
5. False. Sir John Abbott, Canada’s third prime minister, was born in Lower Canada (now Quebec)
6. d) 1980
7. a) King George
8. b) both died while in office, Macdonald, on June 6, 1891 and Thompson, on Dec. 12, 1894.
9. a) a bill to create the city of Hull
10. d) Manitoba, where females won the right to vote in January 1916.
11. b) Sir Charles Tupper, who led the country for 69 days in 1896. John Turner came second, being PM for 80 days in 1984.
12. c) two points were removed from the base of the maple leaf reducing the number of points to 11 from 13.
13. d) the Governor General’s standard.
14. Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott, who served as Canada’s second Prime Minister from June 16, 1891 until Nov. 24, 1892.
15. c) 1941 under leader John Bracken of Manitoba
16. a) firecrackers
17. Agnes Macphail
18. New Brunswick
19. c) in the auditorium at the Museum of Nature, then known as the Victoria Museum
20. Arthur Meighen, Canada’s ninth PM.