It’s Canada Day, a big day for me. I have written many times that I immigrated here in the ’50s. This day is especially significant because I know that I would never get into this country under the point system that the government has in place today. I don’t have enough money or education and now I am too old to get even get any points for age. (You get 10 points if you are between 17 and 49. You can look it up).
 
I am so grateful to be here. I cannot understand how some immigrants today do not seem to appreciate the incredible gift they have been given to live here.
 
This is not a perfect country. But we are provided with the very foundation necessary to improve it. We have the freedom to gather and talk and vote to change things. How anyone could possibly not think this is the best country in the world is beyond me. I shake my head when I hear of people who don’t think that.
 
I am also saddened to see so many people, particularly young people, who do not know even the most basic general knowledge of this country. When I think of how many people who were born in this country fly to the Caribbean or Florida or Europe on holiday, yet make no attempt to see this beautiful land, I find myself near tears thinking of what they missed.
 
I believe with all my heart if you were born in this country and you have not personally visited every single province in Canada by the time you are 50, then it is high time you hit the road. 
When I became a citizen I had to pass a general knowledge test about Canada. I do not know if they still do that test but I wonder if you would like to try one out and see just how much you know about the greatest country in the world.
 
Do you think you know Canada? Well then step up and give it a try. Some of these questions are the same ones I remember from my citizenship test. They are pretty easy. The answers are below.
 
1.     Who is the Governor General of Canada?
 
2.     What is the capital city of New Brunswick?
 
3.     What is the capital city of British Columbia?
 
4.     Name Canada’s provinces that do not touch salt water.
 
5.     How many Maritime provinces are there? Name them.
 
6.     Within three million, what is the population of Canada?
 
7.     Name the oceans, not seas, that border Canada.
 
8.     Who proclaimed Canada’s official colours? What are they?
 
9.     Name Canada’s five largest lakes.
 
10.   Who has most responsibility for teaching children about Canada? The federal government, the provincial government or the municipal government? 

Heino Molls is publisher of REM. Email [email protected].
 
 
 
 
 
 
Answers:

1. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean

2. Fredericton 

3. Victoria

4. Alberta and Saskatchewan

5. There are 3 Maritime provinces and they are: PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

6. The population of Canada estimated by Statistics Canada is 33.6 million.

7. Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic.

8. Canada's official colours are red and white. They were proclaimed by King George V on November 21, 1921.

9. Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Erie

10. Provincial governments