Here are the answers to our November quiz on key news topics, plus some additional background information.

1. Who is “he who walks with the stars”

Answer: b

Additional notes: Downie was the lead singer for Canadian group the Tragically Hip. The Assembly of First Nations gave him this Lakota spirit name. He passed away Oct. 17, 2017.

2. Who is new leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party?

Answer: d

Additional notes: he took more than 50% of the votes on the first ballot at the leadership convention.

3. What is TPP?

Answer: b

Additional notes: Prime Minister Trudeau declined to sign the trade agreement in principle as he stated work still needs to be done.

4. To what country was Bob Rae appointed special Canadian envoy?

Answer: a

Additional notes: Rae’s priority is to address the Rohingya refugee crisis.

5. Who is Roy Halladay?

Answer: d

Additional notes: Halladay was a star player with the Blue Jays for 12 years. He was also an aviation enthusiast; he died when his two-seater sports planet crashed in November.

6. What is Quebec’s Bill 62?

Answer: b

Additional notes: This act will ban people from covering their faces if they want to receive public services like hospital care or education.

7. What is included in Canada’s new parental leave benefits?

Answer: d

Additional notes: These new benefits are meant to reduce child care costs and reduce the anxiety of finding daycare for infants.

8. What is APEC?

Answer: b

Additional notes: Canada and 10 other Pacific nations are working out a new trade deal.

9. Why did the French frigate Forbin dock in Montreal on November 10?

Answer: b

Additional notes: This frigate has participated in many challenging missions but this was not one of them.

10. Who is the national Silver Cross mother?

Answer: a

Additional notes: Each year the Royal Canadian Legion choose a woman to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

11. What family is the richest in Canada?

Answer: d

Additional notes: The Thomson family net worth is over $39 billion.  Even among the richest Canadians there are gaps, with number 26 having a net worth of just over $3 billion.

12. Which city’s current air pollution makes ordinary breathing equivalent to smoking 40 to 50 cigarettes a day?

Answer: b

Additional notes: Since early November the air quality index has been in the extreme danger zone (over 400) and a medical emergency has been declared.

Click here to view questions.