Here are the answers to our quiz on key news topics from March, plus some additional background information.
1. What percentage of Canada’s labour force is considered low-skilled?
Answer: b
Additional notes: the low-skilled labour force is defined by the number of people in it who have not finished high school. In 2006 14.6% of Canada s population had not completed, but with concerted effort that number has dropped to 10.7%.
2. What is controversial about the temporary foreign worker program?
Answer: d
Additional notes: Critics have said that quality of labour market information in Canada is so poor that it is impossible to know for certain if and where there is a shortage
3. Who is Canada’s Governor General?
Answer: c
Additional notes: David Johnston is nearing completion of his first five-year term but the government has extended his appointment for two more years. This will allow his experience to be in place through the next general election and subsequent formation of a government.
4. Disney studios recently announced a sequel to which of the following movies?
Answer: d
Additional notes: There will be sequels to all these box office busters by 2017. There will be a Star Wars sequel trilogy, approximately 30 years after the first of the series.
5. For what purpose is fracking used?
Answer: a
Fracking is the practice of drilling deep into shale rock and pumping in water to fracture it and release the oil – the word fracking is a contraction of hydraulic fracturing.
6. Which provinces have the hottest housing markets?
Answer: b
Additional notes: Toronto and Vancouver both have a continuous influx of people who want to live there, which is driving the housing market.
7. What is the current rate for a five-year fixed mortgage from the big five banks?
Answer: c
Additional notes: On March 17 the Bank of Montreal and TD Bank both slashed the rate in the belief that the Bank of Canada will stay on its key lending rate for quite some time.
8. What percentage of Canadians will likely benefit from the new family tax cut?
Answer: d
Additional notes: A recent report indicates the benefit will go largely to middle- and higher-income families and that the bottom 20% of income earners will have near zero benefit.
9. Who is the new commissioner of the Canadian Football League?
Answer: a
Additional notes: American-born Jeffrey Orridge says the game has a special place in his heart. He is the first African-American commissioner of any professional sport.
10. What music awards were given out in March?
Answer: b
Additional notes: The Junos are the Canadian music awards and this year lots of newcomers walked away with awards.
Click here to view questions.