Focused and Verified
As explained in our Mission, Citizen.ca focuses on knowledge closely connected to Canadian identity and Canadian spirit, rather than every fact about Canada. Some topics will therefore be absent. If you believe a missing topic belongs within this focus, please contact us.
The groups below show how published records are distributed and offer a convenient way to browse. Counts include distinct records assigned to each group or its narrower keywords. A record may appear in more than one group.
For a more specific search, use the keyword search below. Choose one keyword, or combine two with AND to require both or OR to include either.
671 records
981 records
407 records
80 records
Browse all →216 records
201 records
804 records
793 records
Browse all →Choose one keyword, or combine two. Broader keywords include their descendants.
Inuktut is spoken in different dialects across Inuit Nunangat. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s regional overview includes Inuvialuktun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut and Inuttitut, reflecting linguistic diversity within the Inuit homeland.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & context
Judicial independence means that judges can decide cases on the basis of law and facts, free from improper influence by government or other outside parties. It supports the rule of law.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The Bank of Canada is the country’s sole authority for issuing bank notes. Its responsibilities include their design, production and distribution.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The July 1 holiday was formerly known as Dominion Day. Its name officially changed to Canada Day on 27 October 1982; the annual celebration remained on July 1.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Toy Dog Design from Toronto, ON, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
Quebec’s English-speaking communities are not confined to Montréal. They also have roots in regions such as the Eastern Townships, the Gaspé, the Lower North Shore and the Pontiac, with varied histories and circumstances.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wilfredor · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Atlantic Canada comprises New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The regional name includes all four provinces.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & context
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. It identifies Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples for this provision.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Canadian Citizenship Act came into effect on 1 January 1947. It established Canadian citizenship as a distinct legal category, an important development in Canada’s evolving national identity.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Skeezix1000 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The Statute of Westminster, 1931 recognized the Dominions’ legal autonomy. Canada retained a reservation concerning amendments to the British North America Acts; domestic constitutional amendment procedures followed in 1982.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Diliff · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.5 · Credit & context
Many women gained the federal vote in 1918 when the gender barrier was removed. Other eligibility restrictions still excluded some women, so the change did not establish universal voting rights.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: John.B.Codrington · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The federal government introduced a head tax on Chinese immigrants in 1885. This discriminatory measure was distinct from the restrictive Chinese Immigration Act adopted in 1923, which severely limited Chinese immigration.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Northwest · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
French-speaking communities exist in provinces and territories beyond Quebec. They differ in size, history and local circumstances and form an important part of Canada’s linguistic diversity.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Thomas Quine · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
The deportation of the Acadians began in 1755. Grand-Pré National Historic Site commemorates both Acadian settlement in the area and the forced dispersal of Acadian communities.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: E.walker · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation officially opened in 2015. Statements, documents and other materials gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission became a central part of its work of preserving residential school history.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: GoToVan · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
In 1870, representatives of the English- and French-speaking Red River communities met in the Convention of Forty and agreed on demands to present to Ottawa. The convention declared a provisional government with Louis Riel as president.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jay Friesen · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextInuit Nunangat comprises four Inuit land claim regions: the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. It is the Inuit homeland in Canada, extending across more than the territory of Nunavut.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & contextThe National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation reports that more than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. The system separated Indigenous children from their families and cultures and caused lasting harm.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: GoToVan · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
Treaties establish continuing rights and obligations between Indigenous signatories and the Crown. Historic and modern agreements form part of Canada’s treaty relationships; their particular terms and circumstances differ.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun · Photo licence: CC BY 3.0 · Credit & context
Provinces exercise constitutionally recognized legislative powers. Territorial governments exercise powers delegated under federal legislation. Devolution has transferred additional responsibilities to territorial governments over time.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: OhanaUnited · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextEach member of Parliament represents a constituency in the House of Commons. Members consider legislation, work on committees and carry out duties in their constituencies as well as in Parliament.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Section 3 of the Canada Elections Act defines a qualified elector as a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on polling day. Registration and identification are separate parts of the voting process.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Coastal Elite from Halifax, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
A federal bill must be adopted in identical form by the House of Commons and the Senate and receive royal assent to become law. Its provisions may come into force at a later date.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Kelvin Chan · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextThe prime minister and Cabinet must answer to the House of Commons for their actions. The government must maintain the confidence of the House to remain in office under Canada’s system of responsible government.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Canada has a federal system. Its Constitution distributes legislative powers between the federal Parliament and provincial legislatures, rather than placing every area of government under one legislature.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context