Учебно-методическое пособие по работе с темой "COUNTRY PROFILE". Дедова С.А. - 36 стр.

dards for most of the population. The economy rebounded in 1999 and                          VIII. GOVERNMENT TYPE/ POLITICS
2000, buoyed by the competitive boost from the weak ruble and a surging
trade surplus fueled by rising world oil prices. This recovery, along with     1. 1) Read the text and choose the most suitable heading from the list 1–
a renewed government effort in 2000 to advance lagging structural reforms,        13 for each part (I–XIII) of the text.
have raised business and investor confidence over Russia's prospects in its
second decade of transition. Yet serious problems persist. Russia remains                              GOVERNMENT IN CANADA
heavily dependent on exports of commodities, particularly oil, natural gas,            I.
metals, and timber, which account for over 80 % of exports, leaving the                Canada is a federation. The federal system of government means
country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia's agricultural sector     that powers and responsibilities are divided between the federal govern-
remains beset by uncertainty over land ownership rights, which has dis-        ment and the 10 Canadian provincial governments. Canada also has territo-
couraged needed investment and restructuring. Another threat is negative       rial jurisdictions in the far north of the country.
demographic trends, fueled by low birth rates and a deteriorating                      The federal government includes the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
health situation – including an alarming rise in AIDS cases – that have        Government members are members of parliament. The Parliament build-
contributed to a nearly 2 % drop in the population since 1992. Russia's in-    ings are located in Ottawa. The laws passed in parliament are implemented
dustrial base is increasingly dilapidated and must be replaced or modern-      by different federal departments.
ized if the country is to achieve sustainable economic growth. Other prob-
lems include widespread corruption, capital flight, and brain drain.                  II.
       GDP – composition by sector: agriculture: 7 %, industry: 34 %, ser-            Queen Elizabeth II is Canada's official head of state. She is repre-
vices: 59 %.                                                                   sented in this country by the Governor General at the federal level and the
       Labor force – by occupation: agriculture 15 %, industry 30 %, ser-      Lieutenant Governors at the provincial level. All federal legislation must
vices 55 % (1999).                                                             receive the assent of the Governor General, within the parameters of the
       Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries pro-     Canadian constitution. This is what makes Canada a constitutional monar-
ducing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building    chy.
from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; ship-
building; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equip-               III.
ment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric          Parliament consists of the House of Commons, the Senate and the
power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific in-        Governor General.
struments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts.                      The House of Commons is the national legislature elected by Cana-
       Exports – commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural        dian citizens. It is made up of 301 members. Members of parliament are
gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of          usually associated with a political party, although some members do sit
civilian and military manufactures.                                            independently.
       Exports – partners: U.S. 8.8 %, Germany 8.5 %, Ukraine 6.5 %, Bel-             The Senate is the Upper House of Parliament. Members of the Sen-
arus 5.1 %, Italy 5 %, Netherlands 4.8 % (1999).                               ate are appointed by the Governor General upon recommendation by the
       Imports – commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods,         Prime Minister. In addition to its consideration of parliamentary legislation,
medicines, meat, grain, sugar, semifinished metal products.                    the Senate is also asked to investigate important economic and social is-
       Imports – partners: Germany 13.8 %, Belarus 10.7 %, Ukraine 8.3 %,      sues.
US 7.9 %, Kazakhstan 4.6 %, Italy 3.8 % (1999).                                       With specific exceptions, all parliamentary legislation must be ap-
       Currency: Russian ruble (RUR).                                          proved by the House of Commons, the Senate and the Governor General
       Currency code: RUR.                                                     before it can become law. Most parliamentary legislation is introduced by
       Fiscal year: calendar year.                                             the government.
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