What does a Canadian know about Canada? Jan 08 '06    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line Lets see how much I know about the country I live in.... I found this write off/quiz by firstcontact http://www.epinions.com/user-firstcontact21 and thought I would see what I, a Canadian actually know about the country I live in. Thanks Steve for taking the time to set this up! Part A: Government and Politics… 1. (1 mark) True or False: Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy under the Commonwealth of Nations, an association of independent sovereign states, almost all of which are former territories of the British Empire. ANSWER: True 2. (1 mark) Who is Canada’s Head of State? Is it: a. The Governor General? b. The Prime Minister? c. The President? d. The Queen of England? e. Tony Robbins? Or f. None of the above. ANSWER: d. The Queen of England 3. (1 mark) Who represents Canada’s Head of State in Canada? Is it: a. The Governor General? b. The Premier? c. The Prime Minister? d. The House of Lords? e. Tony Robbins’s Sister? or f. None of the above? ANSWER: a. The governor General 4. (1 mark) Name at least one Canadian who has served as Governor General. ANSWER: Adrienne Clarkson was our last one, Michelle Jean (how fitting that she has ties to a separatist group) is serving now. 5. (1 mark) Who is the Head of Government? Is it… a. The leader of the party with the most support in Parliament? b. The Premier? c. The Prime Minister? d. Tony Robbins? e. Both A and C above? Or f. None of the above? ANSWER: c. The Prime Minister 6. (2 marks) Name at least two Canadian Prime Ministers. ANSWER: Sir John A Macdonald was our first, Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin is currently our Prime Minister. We once had a female, Kim Campbell, but that was short lived. 7. (1 mark) True or False: Canada has a national political party devoted to breaking up the Country by having one of the provinces separate from Canada to form its own independent nation, and this political party has even served in the capacity of her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. ANSWER: True – Bloc Quebecois 8. (1 mark) True or False: Canada is so unimportant on the International stage, that it doesn’t even have its own listing on Wikipedia. ANSWER: False 9. (1 mark) True or False: Epinions has a section for writing Epinions about Canadian post secondary institutions (such as Universities and Colleges). ANSWER: False Part B: Economics... 10. (2 marks) True or False: The province of Alberta is the only province or state in Canada that no longer has any accumulated debt of any kind. ANSWER: True, they’re even getting ready to cut a cheque to each and every citizen in the province – including teenagers! 11. (2 marks) True or False: Canadian money is multicoloured. ANSWER: True 12. (2 marks) Canada has a one dollar coin which is commonly known as: a. The silver beaver. b. The dollar. c. The golden smelty. d. The Loonie. or e. The dollar. ANSWER: d. The Loonie – named after me :P just kidding 13. (2 marks) What is the approximate current exchange rate of the Canadian Dollar to the US Dollar? That is, answer this question: $1 Canadian Dollar is worth $____ US (if you absolutely have to look this one up to maintain a perfect score, then I will allow you to). ANSWER: @ 0.77 It fluctuates daily 14. (2 marks) What is the name of the trade agreement linking Canada, the United States and Mexico that came into effect on January 1, 1994? Is it… a. The Canada / US / Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUMTA) b. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) c. The Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) d. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ANSWER: b. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Special Thanks to Brian Mulroney for “selling us down the River” as its called around these parts Part C: Geography 15. (4 marks) Where is Canada? Is it… a. North of the United States of America, but somewhat South of (or right next door to) Alaska and also kind of below / next to Greenland? b. South of the United States of America, but North of South America (you know, somewhere around where Mexico is)? c. In Europe? d. In Africa? e. All of the above? f. Other? Please describe. ANSWER: a. North of the United States (except Windsor is actually South, it kinda curls around Detroit) Alaska is North West of us. 16. (1 mark) True or False: Canada is a barren, desolate wasteland of frozen land where it snows all the time, and it’s only light for a few hours each day, with winter lasting 8 months of the year? ANSWER: False - although right now it’s really cold and snowy – I don’t like it! 17. (1 mark) True or False: Mount Logan, in the Yukon Territories, is the highest mountain in Canada at 5,959 m above sealevel. ANSWER: True 18. (1 mark) True or False: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is located on the East Coast of Canada, one of the last large cities before you venture across the Atlantic Ocean. ANSWER: False 19. (1 mark) True or False: The province of Newfoundland is on the West Coast of Canada, just below Alaska, on the doorstep of the Pacific Ocean. ANSWER: False 20. (39 marks) Visit this site now and tell us your score out of a maximum point level of 39: http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/canquiz.html ANSWER: My score out of 39 was: 39 Yay! 21. (1 mark) True or False: It always rains in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ANSWER: False 22. (1 mark) Name at least two Canadian Provinces and / or Territories. ANSWER: Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territorry, and our newest Territory Nunavut 23. (1 mark) One of our provinces has large oil reserves. Do you know which one? Name it now. ANSWER: Alberta – which’s why they have no debt! 24. (10 marks) Have you ever visited Canada? If yes, where? If no, why not? Describe the geography of your favourite Canadian location. ANSWER: I live there - in Ontario. Have only visited parts of Ontario, and some of Quebec. I am sad to say I have seen more American states than Canadian Provinces. I look forward to travelling more in Canada. I love Ontario. We have a lot of land perfect for agriculture, beautiful forests that go on for miles (kilometers here lol) but as you go a little north we have ski hills, lakes perfect for camping and canoeing, and there are parts of land that are quite barren and vacant, but that is a rare innocence, to have pure untouched land. Quebec is beautiful in the fall (similar to Vermont) with beautiful Maple trees turning shades of red, burgundy and yellow. Part D: Entertainment, Sports & Culture… 25. (5 marks) Can you name any comedians from Canada? If so, who are they? Please list any that come to mind right now and describe what influence they have had on your life. ANSWER: Mike Myers – Loved him in SNL, and all the Austin Powers movies. Martin Short, Jim Carrey, Tom Green is from Ottawa. The 4 guys from kids in the hall; Kevin Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Scott Thompson, Mark McKinney I remember at age 13 sneaking to the basement, staying up late to watch them – boy my folks were disappointed in my choice of humour. Gavin Crawford and Mary Walsh from “This Hour has 22 Minutes” Rick Mercer, There are many more that I cant think of that deserve credit 26. (5 marks) Can you name any Canadian actors? If so, who are they? Please list any that come to mind right now and list any of their works that you really, really like and hold dear to your heart. ANSWER: John Candy, Dan Aakroyd, Rachel MacAdams (Wedding Crashers, The Family Stone) Patrick McKenna (Red Green Show, Traders) Evangeline Lilly (Kate from “Lost”) 27. (5 marks) Can you name any Canadian musicians? If so, who are they? Please list any that come to mind right now and list any of their works that you really, really like and hold dear to your heart. ANSWER: Bif Naked is not originally/born Canadian, but is now and makes her home in British Columbia. Avril Lavigne grew up an hour and a half from me in small town Napanee, Alanis Morrisette is from Ottawa, Jann Arden, Sarah MacLachlan, Stompin Tom Conners, Shania Twain, 28. (5 marks) Finally, can you name any Canadian movie directors? If so, who? Please list any that come to mind right now and list any of their works that you really, really like and hold dear to your heart. ANSWER: “The Saddest Music in the World” director Guy Maddin, was an awesome movie that I have not reviewed as I cannot bring myself to ruin the movie with my lack of words and insight for it. David Cronenberg (A History of Violence) Atom Egoyan (Where the Truth Lies) 29. (3 marks) Which set of the following tv-shows have been filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada? a. The 4400, Airwolf, Andromeda, Battlestar Gallactica (the new, re-imagined series), Dead Like Me, The Dead Zone, Sliders, Smallville, Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Steven Spielberg Presents: Taken b. The X-Files, Millennium, Harsh Realm & The Lone Gunman, The Beachcombers, Danger Bay c. 21 Jump Street, The L-Word, MacGyver, Monk, Neon Rider d. All of the above. ANSWER: d. all of the above. Tricky Question! My husband is a Smallville fan, so he knew there was filming done there. 30. (1 mark) True or False: The Vancouver, British Columbia region has the third highest levels of film and television productions in North America, outside New York City which is number two, which is behind Southern California which has the highest level of film and television production in North America. ANSWER: True. FYI – Winnipeg is one of the top porn production cities. 31. (4 marks) Can you name any Canadian Hockey teams that are members of the NHL? Can you name any Basketball teams that are members of the NBA? Please list any that come to mind right now. ANSWER: Hockey - We have 6 of the 30 teams: Montreal Canadian, Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames there used to be more (Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets) NBA: Toronto Raptors 32. (1 mark) True or false: Wayne Gretzky is Canadian. ANSWER: True – and a rich one at that! 33. (1 mark) Name at least one Canadian beer or beer producer. ANSWER: Labatts, Molson, Part E: General Knowledge… 34. (10 marks) Do you remember when you first heard or learned about Canada? Can you describe this time? Can you describe what you first learned about Canada? Please discuss your thoughts and feelings about your first recollections of Canada now. ANSWER: I always knew about Canada because I was born here. Growing up in a small town we were very proud to be Canadian. As I got older I could see some small differences between the Americans, and us but we are very similar. Canada is a very multicultural country – was formed and grown by immigrants – mostly Irish, Scottish and French but now even in our small town it is not uncommon to have a diversity of African Americans, Chinese, and a Muslim community. We were not ignorant to the states though. Living right on the border New York State is our southerly neighbor. We learned a lot about America, the geography of the states, and a lot of our television programming and news shows are American – so we hear just as much about the American politics as we do the Canadian. Oh and Poutine is my favorite Canadian Food! 35. (3 marks) What colors are on the Canadian flag? What image or symbol is also pictured on the flag? Please describe the flag now. ANSWER: A red Maple Leaf on white background flanked by red on each side of the flag. 36. (2 marks) True or False: The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner. ANSWER: True 37. (1 mark) True or False: Canada has two official languages: English and French. ANSWER: True 38. (1 mark) Which animal is an official emblem of Canada? Is it… a. The beaver? b. The moose? c. The Polar Bear? Or d. William Shatner? ANSWER: a. The Beaver (hence our porn production lol!) 39. (8 marks) Do you know any Canadians? What are they like? How long have you known them? Why do you know them? Please describe your relationship to them now. ANSWER: I know very many Canadians. seeing as I am one, and live here. Most are very proud to be Canadian. In a small town, most are very hard working, family oriented people. Most Canadians – especially the younger generation (people my age) are very liberal minded and open to a lot of things that Americans are against. Gay Marriage for instance – most young people don’t even batt an eye when you mention it. Legalizing marijuana? Hey why not? – It’ll go great with our beer! 40. (9 marks) Describe your feelings toward Canada. What do you think of Canada as a nation? How do you feel you did on this quiz? Do quizzes like this really matter when it comes to rating how Americans feel about their neighbours? ANSWER: I think Canada is doing okay. There are many improvements to be made politically, and how we deal with our trading partners. We need to work more at equality issues, labour issues, support for agriculture, environmental issues our justice system for sure, and holding our government accountable. I don’t like who is in Parliament, but am also afraid of the alternative. I suppose things will never be perfect. We are lucky to have free health care, but pay higher taxes for it, and that “free” health care does not include everything and it is up to the government whether they want to cover certain procedures which may be life saving. There are also astronomical wait times (at least here in Ontario) We are also lucky to have 1 year maternity/paternity (yes the father can have time off too!) paid leave. You know your job is secured while you are giving your child your full attention the first year of there life. 20 years ago it was only 6 weeks, and your job wasn’t guaranteed. I know it is still like that in a lot of States – and it is unfair. This quiz doesn’t really “matter” per se, but I think it was fun and informative. If people from other countries don’t know a lot about us, that’s okay, the fact they took the quiz proves they are interested and open to learning. That’s what matters, that we are all up for learning something new about different countries or cultures. I think I did very well. I didn’t look anything up, and answered more on some questions than I had too. After I answered I did use my husband as a sounding board to double check a few things (like missing hockey teams, and the filming in Vancouver thing) but am feeling very noble about how informed I am. 1. (1 mark) Finally, the very last question... Where are you from (City/Town, State/Province, Country)? ANSWER: Cardinal Ontario Canada Go try it yourself http://www.epinions.com/content_4621901956 Have Fun!

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