On September 30, 2010, regulatory amendments came into force that require applicants to successfully demonstrate a broad knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. These updated regulations allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada the flexibility to test applicants on a greater variety of topics included in Discover Canada and provides flexibility in the development of future questions.

With the coming into force of these new regulations, applicants are considered to have an adequate knowledge of Canada if they demonstrate that they know the national symbols of Canada and have a general understanding of the following subjects:

1. The chief characteristics of Canadian political and military history;
2. The chief characteristics of Canadian social and cultural history;
3. The chief characteristics of Canadian physical and political geography;
4. The chief characteristics of the Canadian system of government as a constitutional monarchy; and
5. Characteristics of Canada, other than those referred to above.

Also, applicants are considered to have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship if they demonstrate they have a general understanding of the following subjects:

1. Participation in the Canadian democratic process;
2. Participation in Canadian society, including volunteerism, respect for the environment and the protection of Canada’s natural, cultural and architectural heritage;
3. Respect for the rights, freedoms and obligations set out in the laws governing Canada; and
4. Any of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship other than those referred to above.

These regulatory changes promote an enhanced understanding of Canadian identity and values and of the responsibilities of citizenship.

Previously, the citizenship test contained certain mandatory questions which needed to be answered correctly by applicants in order to pass the test. The three mandatory questions tested applicants on the following:

1. The right to vote;
2. The right to run for elected office; and
3. Voting procedures related to elections.

However, because Section 15 of the Citizenship Regulations now specifies that applicants are required to have sufficient knowledge of a broad range of topics, the inclusion of mandatory questions in the citizenship test will no longer be in effect as of October 14, 2010.