33.2. Answer the questions:

1. Where is Canada situated?

2. Where are the northern parts of Canada situated?

3. What is the average temperature in summer and in winter?

4. What kind of climate is it in Canada?

5. What do you know about the Niagara Falls?

Unit 34. Outstanding historical events of canada

34.1. Read and translate the text

Modern Canada originated as a country of immigrants.

Before the 15^th century Canada was populated by different Indian tribes. In the far north there were tribes of Eskimos. An English seaman, John Cabot, discovered the island of Newfoundland in 1497. Then many settlements of Spanish, English and French fishermen appeared on the coasts of Newfoundland. In the 16^th century Jacques Carter, the French navigator, explored the Saint Lawrence River, and later French colonies were set up. The long struggle for Canadian territories between England and France finished in 1763 after the Seven­Years’ War. The whole Canada was proclaimed a British possession. Only some minor parts of the country remained French. After the War of American Independence a lot of English colonists immigrated to Canada. In 1837 there were rebellions in both parts of the country. The English and French settlers wanted to have the government and the state of their own. At last, in 1867, after long discussions, a federation was formed out of four provinces. Later the rest of the provinces joined this federation. Thus 1867 is considered to be the birth year of the modern state of Canada. But only after World War I Canada became more independent.

34.2. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Canada populated by before the 15th century?

2. Who discovered the island of Newfoundland?

3. Who explored the Saint Lawrence River?

4. When was Canada founded?

5. When did Canada become more independent?

Unit 35. Political system of canada

35.1. Read and translate the text

Canada is an independent federal parliamentary state. The Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, is the official head of the state, but the Governor General acts as her representative.

Canada combines the American federal form of government with the British cabinet system. As a federation, Canada is made up of ten provinces and two territories. Canadian central government in Ottawa represents all the peoples of Canada. Each province has its own government and parliament.

Parliament of Canada consists of two houses, the Upper House called the Senate, and the Lower House called the House of Commons. The Senate has 104 members. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Senate has less power than the House of Commons. Members of the House of Commons are elected for a term of five years.

The cabinet system of Canada unites the legislative and the executive branches. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are usually members of the House of Commons, which is the highest authority in the government. The Cabinet consists of 20 or more ministers, chosen by the Prime Minister from leaders of the majority party in the House of Commons.

Today most of the Governor General’s powers have disappeared and he follows the directions of the Cabinet.

The two leading political parties in Canada are the Progressive Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The New Democratic Party is also rather influential.

The Constitution of the country was only adopted in 1982.