Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. interim (adj.) [in-ter-uh m] – temporary; related to an arrangement done between a process or an event
Example: After the mayor resigned, the young politician was selected as interim mayor before the official election begins.
2. century (n.) [sen-chuh-ree] – a period of 100 years
Example: Year 2000 marked the end of the 20th century and the start of the 21st century.
3. ballot (n.) [bal-uh t] – a paper or card in which one’s vote is written
Example: The secretary announced the votes in each ballot.
4. council (n.) [koun-suh l] – a group of people elected to serve administrative duties in a specific population
Example: The student council presented their general plan of action for the year.
5. allegation (n.) [al-i-gey-shuh n] – the act of stating something without proof
Example: There are allegations that several government officials stole government funds.
Article
Read the text below.
Michael Applebaum has been voted as interim mayor of Montreal city in Canada, making him the city’s first Anglophone (someone who mainly speaks English) mayor in a century.
Before Applebaum, the last Anglophone mayor of the city was James John Guerin, who served from 1910-1912.
Applebaum, an independent candidate, won against the Union Montreal party’s Richard Deschamps, by only two ballots. Applebaum received 31 votes, while Deschamps received 29 votes from city councilors.
French is the official language of Montreal city. Being an Anglophone, Applebaum has been criticized for his French-speaking skills, but Jean-François Lisée, the Minister of Montreal, says Applebaum’s French is fine and does not need to be debated over.
Despite the criticisms, Applebaum was supported by both Anglophones and Francophones (French speakers) among the city council.
Applebaum’s vision for Montreal includes a council with members who would work more closely with each other. He plans to form an executive committee with representatives from the city’s different political parties. He is also hoping Deschamps would join the said council.
Applebaum promised that activities and plans of the city council and the executive committee would be made known to the public.
The position of mayor was left open after the previous mayor Gérald Tremblay was pressured to resign. Tremblay left the position because of allegations that he allowed his political party to receive financing from illegal sources.
Applebaum’s time as interim mayor will only last until the city’s public elections in November next year.
Several political leaders have declared their support for Applebaum’s office, adding that they feel positive about the city’s future politics.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Why is the main language of a leader important? Why or why not?
· How can knowing different languages help a leader?
Discussion B
· Why is it important to have a local government or council in a specific place such as a city?
· Would you say that the local government in the place where you live is effective? Why or why not?
