Canada's first prime minister was named John. How many other prime ministers have borne that first name? Answer: In addition to John A. Macdonald, four men named John have held the post of prime minister - John J.C. Abbott, John Sparrow Thompson, John George Diefenbaker and John Napier Turner.
How heavy is a regulation curling rock? Answer: According to the World Curling Federation, a curling rock must weigh between 17 and 20 kilograms (38 and 44 pounds). It must also be circular, with a circumference of no more than 910 millimetres (36 inches) and a height of at least 110 millimetres (4.5 inches).
Which province held the two largest prisoner-of-war camps in the country during the Second World War? Answer: Canada's two largest prisoner-ofwar camps during the Second World were located in Alberta - one in Medicine Hat and the other in Lethbridge. There were 26 such camps in the country during that war. Camps were also located in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.
How often does Canada conduct its national census? Answer: The 1971 version of the Statistics Act requires a national census be done every five years. Canada's first Census Act (1870) stipulated a 10-year interval, but that was eventually found to be inadequate. In addition to conducting a census every five years, Statistics Canada carries out more than 300 other active surveys on various aspects of Canadian life.
Some time in the last half of the 18th century, more than 2,000 people lost their lives in a natural disaster in British Columbia. What was the nature of the catastrophe? Answer: A volcano called the Tseax Cone erupted, spewing out lava that dammed the Tseax River and formed Lava Lake. Folklore tells of the devastation, which scientists have been able to date to between 1750 and 1775. The Tseax Cone, also called the Tseax River Cone or the Aiyansh, is about 60 kilometres north of Terrace, B.C.
Who was the first U. S. president to make an official visit to Canada? Answer: In 1923, Warren Harding became
the first sitting American president to visit Canada. While Chester Arthur paid personal visits to Canada - some even say he was born here - he never made a state visit. Nor did Woodrow Wilson, although the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., is home to the Canada Institute, which explores relations between the two countries. Dwight Eisenhower, in 1953, was the first U.S. president to address Parliament.
Wayne Gretzky was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 1984, while he was playing for the Oilers. In what year did he accept the honour? Answer: Since the investiture ceremonies are always held during the hockey season, it was 1998 by the time The Great One was actually invested into the Order.
A silver dollar struck in 1949 to mark Newfoundland's entry into Canada bears the image of a ship. Whose ship was it? Answer: The coin depicts the Matthew, the ship on which John Cabot made his famous discovery of the island in 1497.
Canada's chartered banks were allowed to issue their own currencies until what year?
Answer: The Bank Act of 1935 set 1944 as the last year that individual banks would be allowed to issue currency. Since then, only the Bank of Canada has issued our money. In 1950, all the outstanding notes that had been issued by chartered banks before 1945 became the liability of the Bank of Canada - meaning that old money still has value.
What legendary entertainer from France was named an honorary officer of the Order of Canada in 2008? Answer: Actor, singer, composer Charles Aznavour received the honour from Governor General Michaelle Jean. The 84-year-old Aznavour has appeared in more than 60 movies and sold more than 100 million records.
Oct. 23 of last year was the 50th anniversary of the Springhill Mining Disaster. Which member of the Royal Family was in Canada at the time and visited the site? Answer: Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had been at meetings in Ottawa, visited the site on Oct. 31, 1958, while rescue efforts were still in progress.
Source: Edmonton Journal