The Parliament of Ukraine, on July 16th, 1990, adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty which declared that Parliament recognized the need to build the Ukrainian state based on the Rule of Law. On August 24th, 1991 the Parliament of Ukraine adopted the Declaration of Independence, which the citizens of Ukraine endorsed in the referendum of December 1st, 1991. Also in 1991, Canadians celebrated the Centennial of Ukrainian group immigration to Canada. To mark the Centennial, organizations planned programs and projects to celebrate this milestone in Canada's history.
The Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation of Toronto decided to mark the Centennial by establishing the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program for undergraduate university students from Ukraine. The Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program was considered to be a helpful way of sharing with Ukrainian students the precepts of the Rule of Law as practised in Canada. The CUPP would give students an opportunity to work and study in the Canadian Parliament, and gain experience from which generations of Canadian, American, and West European students have benefited. On the basis of academic excellence, knowledge of the English or French languages, and an interest in the Canadian parliamentary system of government, undergraduate university students from Ukraine would be able to apply for a scholarship to live abroad, study, get to know Canadians and immerse themselves in a foreign culture. As well, it was hoped that CUPP would contribute to the education of future leaders of Ukraine.
The Symbol of the Chair (Kyiv-Mohyla Students)
The symbol representing the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation, and the Chair in Ukrainian History at the University of Toronto, was designed by Heidi Nabert, student at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, and was chosen from amongst over 70 entries, by a panel composed of Lydia Palij and Robert Amodeo of Toronto and artist Jacques Hnizdovsky of New York, in 1980. Heidi Nabert wrote about her winning design as follows:
"Kyiv has long been a kind of magnet for all scholars of Ukrainian and Slavic cultures in general. Hence, I have chosen to represent the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation and the Chair at the University of Toronto with a linear translation of the seventeenth century woodcut depicting three Kyiv-Mohyla Academy students."
The first people who came to North America were nomadic hunters from Asia. They arrived during the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago and spread across Canada. Gradually, these first Canadians developed lifestyles based on the environments in which they lived. They obtained their food by hunting, fishing, gathering and, in some regions, by farming. By the time explorers from Europe reached Canadian coast, the Native People had well developed trading patterns, arts and crafts, languages, writing, religious beliefs, laws and government attributes.
European fishing expeditions in the waters of Newfoundland began in early 1500s. They involved not only the English and French, but the Spanish and Portuguese as well. The French claim to Canada was made in 1534, when Jacques Cartier entered the Gulf of St.Lawrence. A small settlement was made in Nova Scotia (called Acadia by the French) in 1605. By 1608, French people had reached Quebec. However, serious efforts at colonization did not take place until the mid-1600s. Then, the fur-trading Company of New France was established (the early colonizing efforts were mainly based on Canada`s fur-trading opportunities).
In response to French activity, the English in 1670 formed the Hudson`s Bay Company. Because of sever competition between these two major fur-trading companies there was a rivalry between the English and the French. The British wanted to gain control over the fur trade in all of the region drained by the Hudson Bay. The result of this British-French rivalry persisting for almost a century was the first major French loss that occurred in 1713 at the conclusion of Queen Anne`s War (also known as the War of the Spanish Succession) when Nova Scotia and Newfoundland went under British control. The French decision to develop and extend their holdings into the Ohio and Mississippi valleys led to the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years` War), which in turn resulted in France`s expulsion from continental North America in 1763.
When the British reorganized Canada, New France became the colony of Quebec. The British divided the colony into Upper Canada and Lower Canada in 1791, and extended to both new provinces British institutions and constitutional rights.
The French majority of Lower Canada did not prosper under the British. Serious economic problems and political dissatisfaction led them to open rebellion in 1837. In response to this, the British reunited the two provinces in 1841, and by 1848 established self-government for the Canadian colonies.
On July 1, 1867 the Dominion of Canada, comprising Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario, came into existence under the British North America Act. The BNA Act, now the Constitution Act, officially confirmed the practice of official bilinguals and respect to both British and French cultures.
However, the reality was somewhat different. Although having become pretty prosperous by the end of 19th century, Canada still suffered from continuing conflict between the English and French communities.
After WWI, Canada pursued a foreign policy increasingly independent of British control. In 1931, Britain recognized the position of its dominions and created equality of status among them in the Statute of Westminster. With the Canada Act, approved in 1982, the British repatriated the British North America Act to Canada, thus giving Canada the full-value self-governance and total control over its constitution.
The leaf was used on regimental badges in WWI and WWII and was confirmed as an official national symbol in 1965 with the proclamation of the National Flag. On January 28, 1965 Queen Elizabeth proclaimed that effective February 15, 1965, Canada's flag would be red, with the proportions two by length and one by width, containing in its centre a white square the width of the flag, bearing a single red maple leaf. Under average wind conditions the leaf should resemble a 23-point sugar maple leaf (Canadian Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton).
The official coat-of-arms of Ukraine is a gold trident on a azure background. As a state emblem the trident dates back to Kievan Rus', when it was the coat-of-arms of the Riuryk dynasty. There are various theories about its origins and meaning. The trident was the symbol of poseidon, the sea god of Greek mythology. It has been found in different societies, such as the Bosporan and Pontic Kingdoms, the Greek colonies on the Black Sea, Bysantium, Scandinavia, and Sarmatia, and has been used in various ways: as a religious and military emblem, a heraldic symbol, a state emblem, a monogram and simply a decorative design. At Mychailo Hrushevsky's recommendation, Prince Volodymyr's trident was adopted by the Rada on February 12, 1918 and the Central Rada on March 22, 1918 as the coat of arms of Ukraine. (Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Volume 5, Editor D. S. Struk, University of Toronto Press).
The roots of Canada`s parliamentary democracy lie in Britain.
Canada`s Constitution establishes Parliament`s authority and sets out its powers
for making laws. Parliament is composed of the Queen, the Senate, and the House
of Commons. The Queen of the Great Britain is the formal head of Canada. She
is represented by the Governor General. 
In the House of Commons Chamber located at the west end of the Centre Block, 301 elected representatives gather to make laws affecting all Canadians.
The Speaker holds the position of highest authority in the House and sits in a raised chair at the north end of the Chamber. It is the Speaker`s duty to maintain order and enforce the rules of procedure impartially. The Speaker represents the House in dealings with the Senate and the Crown, and protects the Member`s rights and privileges, the most important of which is the right to freedom of speech. The Speaker is also responsible for the administration of the House of Commons. Before the parliamentary rules were changed in 1985, the Speaker was nominated by the Prime Minister and usually elected without opposition. Today, the Speaker is elected by the secret ballot, and any Member, except Ministers and political party leaders, may stand for election.
The House of Commons is a rectangular room divided by a central aisle. The Government sits on the Speaker`s right and the Opposition on the left.
On the Government side, the Prime Minister sits in the middle of the first row and the Ministers sit in the centre seats of the first two rows. The Leader of the Official opposition (the leader of the party with the second largest membership in the House of Commons) sits directly opposite the Prime Minister, surrounded by the senior Member of his or her party. Leaders of smaller opposition parties sit in the front row farther away from the Speaker.
Each party selects one of its members to be House Leader and one to be Party Whip. House Leaders determine the timetable for the introduction and passage of legislation. Whips ensure their parties are represented on committees and their Members are in the Chamber for votes.
The Clerk and Table Officers of the House sit at the table in front of the Speaker's chair. They advise the Speaker and other Members on parliamentary procedure and practice, and keep the official record of proceedings.
Hansard is a parliamentary publication containing the official report of each day's debates. Two Hansard reporters (one English and one French) sit at desks in the centre of the Chamber and record the debates.
The House of Commons follows an agenda which may vary on certain days but contains the basic components listed below. Three days a week, the House sits from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, daily business does not begin until 2 p.m. so that each party can hold a caucus meeting outside the Chamber. In caucus, party members from the House of Commons and the Senate discuss policy and the parliamentary agenda. On Fridays, sittings are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nearly every day begins with Routine Proceedings. This segment includes such items as the tabling of documents, statements by Ministers, presentation of committee reports, introduction and first reading of bills, and motions and petitions.
*Tabling the documents – the first item under routine proceedings; at this time Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries have the opportunity to table returns, reports, responses to petitions or to committee reports and other documents.
*Statements by Ministers - a heading under routine proceedings during which a Minister may make a short factual announcement or statement of government policy.
*Motion – a proposal made for the purpose of eliciting a decision of the House. In order to be placed before the house for consideration, a motion must be duly moved and seonded. No seconder is required in committee. Once adopted, a motion becomes an order or a resolution.
*Petition-a request made by Canadian residents to Parliament for some action. Such a request can only be presented to the House by a member. Petitions may be presented during Routine Proceedings at every sitting or may be filed with the Clerk.
Government Orders consist of any business introduced by the Government and considered during the time reserved for the Government in a sitting day. Most Government Orders are bills, and debate on these takes up most of the day. There are three other types of Government Orders:
This is a time for Members acknowledged by the Speaker to speak on a subject of their choice for a maximum of one minute. Up to fifteen minutes are allocated each day for this purpose. The period of Members` Statements usually lasts from 2p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Oral Question Period
Oral Question Period is a daily 45-minute period in the House during which oral questions may be addressed to Ministers and committee chairmen. Ministers can be questioned only about the current responsibilities of their portfolio; committee chairmen may be questioned only about the business of their committees.
Question Period attracts more media and public attention than any other part of the daily sitting. This is the time when members of parliamentary opposition can criticize their opponents from the ruling party in general and the Government in particular and express their concerns about the way things go. The issues raised are usually of national importance and sometimes provoke heated exchanges.
The publicity surrounding Question Period can obscure its significance: it is an opportunity for the Opposition to seek information from the Government and question Ministers, and to ensures the accountability of the Government.
Immediately after Question Period (except on Wednesdays and Fridays), the Speaker calls Government Orders again. Question Period is usually well attended by Members but many must leave afterward to participate in committee meetings or attend other business. Although sometimes debates involve just a very small number of people, the House does continue sittings unless there is no quorum. Quorum stands for the number of members, including the Speaker, necessary to constitute a meeting of the House for the exercise of its powers. In the House, it is set by the Constitution at 20; in a committee, it is a majority of the committee members.
Private Member, according to parliamentary glossary, is a Member who is not a Minister. Sometimes, House Leaders, Whips, Opposition critics and Parliamentary Secretaries are excluded from this designation.
Four time a week, Private Members have one hour to present bills and motions on topics of concern to them. Since the introduction of recent procedural reforms, Private Members' bills or motions have a greater chance of being adopted, allowing individual Members of the House of Commons to more directly affect the legislative agenda.
Decisions are made in response to a motion, which is a proposal moved by a Member and debated by the House. When the debate has ended, the Speaker asks if the House wishes to adopt the motion. If no one disagrees, the motion carries. If there is disagreement, the Speaker takes a voice vote by asking for those supporting the motion to say "yea" and those opposed to say "nay". The Speaker judges whether the yeas or nays have a majority.
After five Members who dispute the Speaker's decision or who wish to have their names entered on the record can, by rising, call for a recorded division. Division is another word for a vote. When a division is to be recorded, the division bells are rung everywhere throughout the parliamentary buildings to summon Members to the House. Members rise one after another and bow to the Speaker, with the "yeas" rising first, followed by the "nays". The results are tallied and announced by the Clerk.
What
is a bill?
A bill is a piece of legislation in draft form submitted to Parliament for its consideration. There are two types of bill: public and private. Public bills concern policy matters like health, the environment or human rights and can be introduced by the Government or by Private Members.
Private bills concern the interests of private individuals or groups, such as a bill to incorporate a private company. Most of Parliament's time is spent considering public bills.
The Senate can also initiate bills, but all "money bills" – that is taxation or the expenditure of public funds - must originate in the House of Commons.
A bill introduced in the House of Commons must go through the following stages to become law:
1) Introduction - the process begins when a bill is introduced
2) First Reading – the bill is “read” for the first time without debate
and printed
3) Second Reading – the principle of the bill is debated. It is then
voted on and thebill is sent to corresponding parliamentary committee to be
worked on.
4) Committee Stage – a committee hears witnesses, examines the bill clause
by clause and submits a report with or without amendments
5) Witness is a person invited to appear before a committee to present
an opinion on a particular topic or to provide technical advice with respect
to a bill.
6) Clause-by-Clause Study is the phase of a committee`s consideration
of a bill involving detailed study of its provisions. Each clause of the bill
is considered individually with respect to three options, namely “stand”, “amend”,
or “defer”, meaning that members can leave a clause as it was initially introduced,
they can amend a clause as proposed, or they can defer discussion of a particular
clause due to lack of information.
7) Report Stage – the stage at which the House consideres a bill as reported
by a committee, with amendments, if any. At this stage, all Members may propose
amendments to the text of the bill.
8) Third Reading – the bill is debated a final time and
voted on.
9) Message – the bill is sent to the other House, namely
the Senate, where the process starts again from the first reading. At this stage,
there might appear a necessity to get back to report stage as some amendments
by the Senate might not be liked by the House of Commons.
10) Royal Assent – the Governor general or a deputy gives
the bill Royal Assent in the Senate.
Royal Assent is the approval, by a representative of the Crown, of a bill passed by the House and the Senate, making it into an Act of Parliament. Royal Assent is accorded in the Senate Chamber, usually by a deputy of the Governor General in the presence of Members of the House and Senate.
Each province has its own Legislative Assembly entitled to introducing provincial legislation. It has a certain span of freedom in doing this, that is to the extent there are no serious contradictions with the general concepts and principles set up by the federal legislation.
Separating the House of Commons from the Senate are the Confederation Hall and the Hall of Honour with their graceful arched ceilings and rich sculpture. At the end of the Hall of Honour is the Library of Parliament. This showpiece of Gothic Revival architecture features an intricate parquet floor of cherry, oak and walnut. In its panelling of Canadian white pine are carved hundreds of flowers, masks and mythical creatures.
Dominating the circular, domed room is a white marble statue of the young Queen Victoria. The Library has a delicate, old-world flavour that belies its modern capabilities: its highly skilled employees use computer technology to provide information, reference and research services to parliamentarians and staff.
The House of Commons Chamber is decorated in the traditional green of the British House of Commons (Green Chamber). The rectangular chamber is constructed of Canadian white oak and Tyndall limestone from Manitoba. Visible on the stone`s freckled surface are 450-million-year-old fossils. The chamber`s ceiling is made of delicately hued Irish linen, hand-painted after installation. In contrast, vibrant stained glass windows, depicting the floral emblems of Canada`s 10 provinces and two territories, add bold colour to the dignified room. Below the windows, a series of sculptures explain the components of Canada`s Constitution using imaginative symbols.
The Senate is an appointed upper chamber of 105 Members (senators) who examine legislation introduced by the House of Commons as well as initiate their own bills. The number of Senate Members representing each particular province is not stable but varies. The senators are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. They hold office until age 75 unless they miss two consecutive sessions of Parliament. Senators must be at least 30 years old and must reside in the province or territory for which they are appointed.
The Senate can initiate any bills except bills providing for the expenditure of public money or imposing taxes. It can amend or reject any bill whatsoever. It can reject any bill as often as it sees fit. No bill can become law unless it has been passed by the Senate.
In theory these powers are formidable. But for over 40 years the Senate did not reject a bill passed by the House of Commons, and very rarely insisted on an amendment that the House of Commons rejected. Then, in 1988, it refused to pass the Free Trade Agreement till it had been submitted to the people in a general election. In 1989-90, it insisted on amendments to an unemployment insurance bill, amendments the Commons rejected; the Senate eventually passed the bill as submitted by the House. And in 1991, the Senate simply defeated a Commons bill respecting abortion. In other cases, the Senate has not adopted bills before the end of a session, thereby effectively stopping them from becoming law.
Most of the amendments the Senate makes to bills passed by the Commons are clarifying or simplifying amendments, and are almost always accepted by the House of Commons. The Senate’s main work is done in its committees, where it goes over bills clause by clause and hears evidence, often voluminous, from groups and individuals who would be affected by the particular bill under review. This committee work is especially effective because the Senate has many members with specialized knowledge and long years of legal, business or administrative experience. Their ranks include ex-Ministers, ex-Premiers of provinces, ex-mayors, eminent lawyers and experienced farmers.
In recent decades, the Senate has taken on a new job: investigating important public problems such as poverty, unemployment, inflation, the aged, land use, science policy, aboriginal affairs, relations with the United States, and the efficiency (or lack of it) of government departments. These investigations have produced valuable reports, which have often led to changes in legislation or government policy. The Senate usually does this kind of work far more cheaply than royal commissions or task forces because its members are paid already and it has a permanent staff at its disposal.
How the upper Chamber looks like
Red carpeting and upholstery and a ceiling of gold leaf create an air of regal splendour in the Senate. Two bronze chandeliers weighing approximately two tonnes each are suspended from the ceiling. The chamber's upper walls are lined with murals depicting stirring scenes from the First World War and, below them, a frieze showing Canada
The seats in an election, or if the Government is defeated in the House of Commons and resigns, the Governor General must call on the Leader of the Opposition to form a new government. The Prime Minister chooses the Ministers and can also ask any of them to resign; if the Minister refuses, the Prime Minister can advise the Governor General to remove that Minister and the advice would invariably be followed. Cabinet decisions do not necessarily go by majority vote. A strong Prime Minister, having listened to everyone’s opinion, may simply announce that his or her view is the policy of the Government, even if most, or all, the other Ministers are opposed. Unless the dissenting Ministers are prepared to resign, they must bow to the decision.
As mentioned, the Prime Minister chooses the members of the Cabinet. All of them must be or become members of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, which is a formal advisory body to the Crown appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The membership is for life, unless a member is dismissed by the Governor General on the same advice. All Cabinet Ministers and former Cabinet Ministers are always members, as are the Chief Justice of Canada and former chief justices and, usually, ex-Speakers of both Houses. Various other prominent citizens can be made members simply as a mark of honour.
By custom, almost all the members of the Cabinet must be Members of the House of Commons, or, if not already Members, must win seats. Since Confederation, 81 men who were not members of either House have been appointed to the Cabinet, but they had to get seats in the House or the Senate within a reasonable time, or resign from the Cabinet.
Every province must, if possible, have at least one Cabinet Minister. Of course, if a province does not elect any government supporters, this becomes difficult. In that case, the Prime Minister may put a Senator from that province into the Cabinet, or get some Member from another province to resign his or her seat and then try to get a person from the "missing" province elected there.
Responsible government and federalism are two cornerstones of the Canadian system or government. There is a third, without which neither of the first two would be safe: the rule of law.
What does the rule of law mean?
It means that everyone is subject to the law; that no one, no matter how important or powerful, is above the law--not the government; not the Prime Minister, or any other minister; not the Queen or the Governor General or any lieutenant-governor; not the most powerful bureaucrat; not the armed forces; not Parliament itself, or any provincial legislature. None of these has any powers except those given to it by law; by the BNA Act or its amendments; by a law passed by Parliament or a provincial legislature; or by the Common Law of England, which CANADA inherited, and which, though enormously modified by our own Parliament or provincial legislatures, remains the basis of our constitutional law and our criminal law, and the civil law (property and civil rights) of the whole country except Quebec (which has its own civil code).
If anyone were above the law, none of our liberties would be safe.What keeps the various authorities from getting above the law, doing things the law forbids, exercising powers the law has not given them?
The aims of CUPP are to open up to students from Ukraine the opportunity to work with a Member of Parliament and his or her staff, attend sessions of question period, attend meetings of parliamentary committees, participate in media scrums, perform administrative functions, undertake research assignments, research government and party policies, attend meetings and conferences of educational organizations, become acquainted with and use the research facilities of the House of Commons and its library, and carry out general office duties. As well, to provide an opportunity to visit cultural and historic sights in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and surrounding areas.
CUPP would also immerse the students in Canadian culture where English and French is spoken, and allow the students to use these languages on a daily basis. The students would be able to develop and practice certain diplomatic skills as representatives of their university, society and country. Coming to study and live in Canada would broaden the horizons of students and give many, if not most of them, their first opportunity of living in a western society.
Each student would be assigned to work in the offices of a Member of Parliament from either the Liberal, Bloc Quebecois, Reform, New Democratic or Conservative Party. Your Primary Goal is to learn about the Canadian parliamentary system of government, Canadians and Canada.
Please come to Canada with an open mind and a positive attitude. Remember that Canadians love a smile and politeness. PLEASE and THANK YOU.
In the House of Commons, the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, at St. Vladimir Institute or wherever you are or travel, you will be looked upon as Ambassadors of Ukrainian university students and Ukraine. Canadians who meet you will judge Ukrainian students by you. If you are hard working, honest and fair, this will leave a positive impression.
Ukraine is one of the oldest civilizations in Europe and its people have endured and survived many challenges. Through it all, Ukraine has emerged as a civilized state where tolerance prevails. Reinforce that image through your conduct in Canada.
What are the qualities which will make your stay in Canada fulfilling and beneficial?
You will fly into Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Province of Ontario. During the first week of your stay in Canada, you will reside in St. Vladimir Institute which is a student residence adjacent to the University of Toronto.
St. Vladimir Institute is also a Ukrainian community centre and is located next to the main campus of the University of Toronto which occupies a large area of downtown Toronto. You will have an opportunity to explore the university during your stay at the Institute. During the first week, you will undergo an orientation program during which you will be introduced to the Canadian parliamentary system, Canadian history and geography.
Following the orientation, you will travel by train or bus to Ottawa to the University of Ottawa residence where you will reside during the internship in the House of Commons.
The University of Ottawa residence is within walking distance of the Canadian Parliament called the House of Commons. Two students will share a room and there are kitchen facilities at the residence so that you can cook your meals. You are urged to combine your efforts and purchase food in bulk and cook it for the group for breakfast and dinner. You will have lunch in the cafeteria of the House of Commons which has reasonable prices.
Shortly after you begin your work in the House of Commons, you will be issued a security pass which you must wear each day when you come to work. Only members of parliament and their staff with security passes are permitted to the private office areas of the House of Commons. Remember that your work day starts at 9:00 a.m. and you should be there on time. Please also keep in mind that you are expected to be punctual not only for work but for all other meetings and commitments. You are urged to be punctual from your first to your last day in Canada.
After completing the internship in the House of Commons, you will return to Toronto to St. Vladimir Institute. During the remaining period of time you will have the opportunity to do sightseeing, and possibly visit Niagara Falls, the Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower, the Metro Zoo, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Bata Museum, or any other of a number of other museums, galleries or centres.
Your participation in church services of the Ukrainian Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic or other denomination is left up to you, but it is recommended that you participate.
Your stay in Canada will give you the opportunity to observe and participate in a free market economy society and to learn to work and stay within your budget.
In Canada, you will be receiving a weekly stipend. This money should be used wisely and mainly for the following:
1. Food
2. Wash and dry cleaning of clothes
3. Recreation and entertainment
All of your accommodation costs in Toronto and Ottawa are paid for by the Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation. Your stipend should cover the rest of your expenses and, if you budget wisely, you may have some money left over for gifts for family and friends.
Please pack wisely since you will be limited in the amount of luggage you can bring with you to Canada and just as stringently you will be limited by the airline in the amount of luggage you can take back with you to Ukraine. Remember that you will always bring back more than you take to Canada.
In Ottawa, you will receive a set of pots/pans, knives, forks, plates. Please do not bring alcohol or wine as gifts to Canada. If you wish to bring a gift for your member of parliament or someone else, please consider bringing something modest but which conveys the culture or artistry of Ukraine.
During your stay in Canada you will have an opportunity to purchase items of food and clothing which you can send to your home. This will be done in order to save you the cost of trying to take these items with you on your return journey to Ukraine or worse still, trying to save you the disappointment of having the airline refuse to take overweight baggage on board the airplane. In your package home, you may wish to also include books which you may receive during your stay in Canada.
Letters of recommendation by the sponsors of CUPP will be provided to those students who have successfully completed the program, and who have completed and submitted all assignments and who have, in the opinion of CUPP organizers, conducted themselves throughout the program in an exemplary fashion.
Letters of recommendation may also be provided by your member of parliament but you are responsible for asking your MP for the letter.
Helping you in Canada will be two Canadian student coordinators. These are undergraduate university students who are volunteering part of their summer vacation to work with you. You will be introduced to your Canadian student coordinators upon your arrival in Canada.
Towards the end of the program, you will meet with the Program Director Ihor Bardyn to discuss suggestions, criticism and recommendations of the program. Please keep track of your suggestions, etc. throughout the program and submit them to the Program Director during the meeting.
During the first five years of the program, it has become evident that some of the better recommendations for CUPP interns have come from students who have participated in the Program themselves. If you have friends who are interested in the CUPP Program, please ask the Program Director for an application form for the 1997 Program before you return to Ukraine.
The Program Director Ihor Bardyn may assign to you some translation projects. They are to be completed during your stay in Canada and turned over to the Program Director.
Official Visit to Embassy of Ukraine
During your internship period in Ottawa, all students, the Program Director, the Canadian student coordinators and several other individuals will make an official visit to meet with Ukrainian Ambassador at the Embassy of Ukraine. Photographs will be taken and a press release/article written for the Ukrainian media in North America.
It is very much appreciated if CUPP interns contribute their written works to the CUPP Newsletter thus showing their willingness to share their experience and discoveries with future CUPP generations. One can write on any topic he wants: the Parliamentary system of Canada, Canadians and their culture, fun-time you had during your trip, namely everything you consider to be intriguing and useful for others. Take initiative, contribute an article, the craziest photo, etc. Make it fun for yourself and for others!
