It's not hard to figure out where the names Victoria and Regina came from. But do you know which Canadian capital city originally got its name from a Mohawk word meaning "where there are trees standing in the water," or how the name for the Yukon's capital city Whitehorse began? Find out how Canada's capital cities got their names.

Photo: Rideau Canal Locks, Ottawa
Courtesy City of Ottawa

More on Origin of Canadian Place Names
How Canada Got Its Name
Origin of Names of Canadian Provinces

Parliament is back in session and the first order of business was the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons. Peter Milliken, the Liberal member of parliament for Kingston and the Islands who has been Speaker since 2001, was re-elected, but he had to fight for it this time. Seven other MPs challenged him and it took five secret ballots before he won.

While most MPs acknowledge Peter Milliken's expertise and knowledge of parliamentary procedure, there is general concern that the House of Commons has grown uncivil and unruly and some MPs feel Milliken has been too soft in enforcing the rules. In his speech before the vote, Milliken pointed out that much of the recent rowdiness in the House is just the nature of a minority government. "In my view, no amount of interference or chastisement of members will impose order that does not exist unless the members themselves wish to have order in the House," he said.

The job of Speaker is definitely worth the fight though. It brings an extra $74,400 in salary in addition to $155,400 as a member of parliament, use of the Kingsmere estate in the Gatineau Hills, an apartment behind the House of Commons chamber, a large hospitality budget, and a car and driver.

Photo: Courtesy City of Ottawa

More About the Speaker and the House of Commons
Biography of Peter Milliken
Role of the Speaker of the House of Commons
House of Commons in Canada
Canadian Parliament Glossary

Eva Aariak, the only woman elected to the Nunavut Legislative Assembly in the 2008 Nunavut general election, has been chosen as Nunavut's new premier. Nunavut has a consensus form of government with no political parties. Once the 19 MLAs are elected, they in turn elect the premier, speaker and cabinet ministers. The premier then assigns cabinet portfolios. The remaining MLAs serve as the opposition.

Eva Aariak's background includes five years as the Nunavut Commissioner of Languages, teaching, and running an arts and crafts store in Iqaluit. She replaces Paul Okalik, who had been Nunavut's premier since the formation of the new territory of Nunavut in 1999.

More About Nunavut
Nunavut Territory Elections
Nunavut Facts
Origin of the Name Nunavut
Territory of Nunavut

Every year more than 11,000 Canada Post volunteers, both employees and retirees, help make sure children get replies to their letters to Santa. Children from all over the world can take advantage of the program, and their letters are answered in the language in which they are written, even Braille. There's an email option too. Make a note of the address to write to Santa, for both regular mail and email, and a few tips for those letters.

Photo: Janis Christie / Getty Images

More on Christmas in Canada:
International Holiday Mail Deadlines 2008
Christmas Lesson Plans K-8
Christmas Worksheets K-8
Christmas Stories Online