Cheat sheet

People and Symbols of Canada

Who Canadians are, national symbols, the flag, the anthem, and the values that define Canadian identity.

The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Canadian Citizenship Test 2026.

Canadian national symbols

◆ The maple leaf flag was adopted on February 15, 1965.
◆ "O Canada" became the official national anthem in 1980.
◆ The beaver is an official symbol of Canada, representing its history in the fur trade.
◆ The coat of arms of Canada features the Royal Union Flag, the fleur-de-lis, and a sprig of maple leaves.
◆ The national colours of Canada are red and white.

◆ Canada Day (July 1) marks Confederation in 1867; it is a national holiday.
◆ Remembrance Day (November 11) honours Canadians who died in wars; people wear red poppies.
◆ Victoria Day (Monday before May 25) honours the reigning Sovereign and Queen Victoria.
◆ The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) honours survivors of residential schools.
◆ Vimy Ridge Day (April 9) marks the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, a defining moment for Canada in the First World War.

◆ English and French are the two official languages of Canada.
◆ The majority of French-speaking Canadians live in the province of Quebec.
◆ There are about one million Francophones living outside Quebec.
◆ New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province.
◆ The Acadians are the descendants of French settlers who came to the Atlantic region from the 1600s.

◆ Insulin was discovered by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best in 1922.
◆ Alexander Graham Bell, who lived in Canada, is associated with inventing the telephone.
◆ Terry Fox ran his "Marathon of Hope" across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
◆ Hockey is Canada's most popular spectator sport, and the Stanley Cup is its top prize.
◆ Lacrosse and hockey are both recognised as official sports of Canada.

◆ The national flag features a single red maple leaf on a white square between two red bars.
◆ It was first raised on February 15, 1965.
◆ February 15 is celebrated as National Flag of Canada Day.
◆ Red and white are Canada's official colours, set by King George V in 1921.
◆ The flag replaced the Canadian Red Ensign as the national flag.

◆ The shield shows symbols of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, with maple leaves.
◆ Canada's motto is "A Mari Usque Ad Mare", Latin for "From Sea to Sea".
◆ The arms were proclaimed by King George V in 1921.
◆ The national colours red and white come from the coat of arms.
◆ The arms appear on official documents and government buildings.