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What has changed since the guide

Discover Canada was written for a country with a Queen, 308 ridings and 34 million people. Parts of it have not aged. IRCC keeps the guide as the source of test material, so the rule of thumb is simple: answer from the guide, but know what is actually true.

Checked as of August 2026.

The Sovereign

The guide says
Several chapters still refer to Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada since 1952, and to "Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition".
Now true
King Charles III has been King of Canada since 8 September 2022. The Oath of Citizenship, the Royal Anthem ("God Save the King") and His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition have all been updated accordingly.
On the test
Use the King. IRCC updated the Oath chapter and the citizenship ceremony; anything referring to the reigning Sovereign means Charles III today.

The Governor General

The guide says
The guide pictures David Johnston, the 28th Governor General.
Now true
The Right Honourable Louise Arbour became the 31st Governor General on 8 June 2026, succeeding Mary Simon, who was the first Indigenous person to hold the office.
On the test
The test does not ask you to name the Governor General, but an interviewer might. Check gg.ca before test day — this office changes.

Electoral districts

The guide says
Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts.
Now true
There are 343 ridings as of the 2023 representation order, used from the 2025 general election onward.
On the test
If a question gives you a number, 308 is the guide’s answer. Understanding what a riding *is* matters far more than the count.

Population

The guide says
Canada has a population of about 34 million people.
Now true
Canada passed 40 million in 2023 and continues to grow.
On the test
Answer from the guide if a number is offered. The point being tested is that most Canadians live in cities, near the southern border.

NAFTA

The guide says
Mexico became a partner in 1994 in the broader North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Now true
NAFTA was replaced on 1 July 2020 by CUSMA — the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (USMCA in the U.S., T-MEC in Mexico).
On the test
The dates the guide teaches — free trade with the U.S. in 1988, Mexico joining in 1994 — are still the examinable facts.

G8 / G7

The guide says
Canada is part of the G8 group of leading industrialized countries, with Russia among them.
Now true
Russia was suspended in 2014. The group is the G7.
On the test
The examinable point is that Canada is one of the world’s ten largest economies and a member of the leading industrialized group.

Court of Queen’s Bench

The guide says
In most provinces the trial court is sometimes called the Court of Queen’s Bench.
Now true
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick renamed theirs the Court of King’s Bench after the accession of Charles III.
On the test
Either name refers to the same court. The court structure is what is tested.

Aboriginal / Indigenous

The guide says
The guide uses "Aboriginal peoples" throughout.
Now true
"Indigenous peoples" is now the standard term in Canadian government usage. Both refer to the same three groups: First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
On the test
You may see either word. The three groups, and what distinguishes them, are what gets tested.

Truth and Reconciliation

The guide says
The guide mentions residential schools and the 2008 federal apology to former students.
Now true
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission reported in 2015 with 94 Calls to Action. 30 September is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday since 2021, also marked as Orange Shirt Day.
On the test
Know the guide’s content — residential schools ran from the 1800s to the 1980s, and Ottawa apologized in 2008.

The Commonwealth

The guide says
The Sovereign links Canada to 53 other nations of the Commonwealth.
Now true
The Commonwealth has 56 member states.
On the test
The relationship is the point, not the headcount.

How the test is taken

The guide says
The citizenship test is usually a written test, but it could be an interview.
Now true
Most applicants are invited to take the test online, from anywhere, and can start it within a set window. The timer cannot be paused once started.
On the test
20 questions, 45 minutes, 15 correct to pass, three chances, in English or French.

Look these up yourself

These change with every election and appointment, so this app deliberately does not memorise them for you. The guide has the same worksheet — fill it in before test day.

Questions flagged in the bank

4 practice questions carry an out-of-date warning, because the guide's answer and reality have parted ways.