Do you know how Canada's Parliamentary system works?

Very few of these questions actually test information about our system of government that is really important.

Q. #1 – about the turtleneck is inane trivia
Q. #2 – about the use of a lectern, suggests one is pretty observant about watching QP clips, but would never be on a citizenship test
Q. #3 – about the prepared speech, interesting, but again along the lines of trivia – getting it right or wrong does not suggest any great knowledge about the constitution or Parliament
Q.#4 – This one is important. It is defined in the constitution. People should know this. As of my taking the test only 56% do.
Q. #5 – about the ceremonial mace – this one is less trivial and a little closer to getting at necessary knowledge about understanding parliament – getting this one right indicates you probably know a reasonable amount about how parliament works. Getting it wrong though shouldn’t be reason to doubt one’s citizenship
Q #6 – About who sits above the speaker – pretty much trivia, getting it right only suggests you can remember the last time you visited the House of Commons.
Q #7 – How often is Parliament required to sit? Like #4 this is important and in the Constitution. As of my doing the test only 26% got it right.
Q. #8 – About the number necessary for Quorum. People should know why the Quorum is necessary. If you got the right answer (without making a lucky guess) you probably know quite a bit about the workings of Parliament.
Q. #9 – About first order of business for parliament – This is like number 5. If you got it right, you probably know you’re stuff, but its no reason to deny anyone the vote.
Q. 10# Same as #5 and #9. Good for you for getting it right. No great loss for getting it wrong.

Personal score 8/10, missed #3 & 10.

Unfortunately if this was aimed at a more general audience – say people who call in to radio talk shows – as opposed to the sophisticates here at Macleans, you would need to ask some more basic questions, such as:

1. Do we vote for a Prime Minister?

2. What is the difference between a minority and majority government?

3. How might we expect a Prime Minister leading a minority government to behave differently than one heading up a majority government?

3. Under the parliamentary system, can a government be replaced without holding another election?

4. What are the consequences of a non-confidence vote against the government?

5. What is the source of legitimacy under a parliamentary system: the support of a majority of MPs in the House of Commons or the latest opinion polls?

I disagree with the turtleneck question. I seem to recall Warren Allmand in a photograph wearing a turtleneck with a tie on. The reason for this sartorial no-no was that he had to be wearing a tie to sit in the House. So it had nothing to do with his turtleneck but rather not wearing a tie that was the issue.