Canadian Expatriates, its contributors, and readers have been invited by Foreign Affairs Canada to participate in a series of eDiscussions. The current topic is “Showcasing Canadian Culture and Know-How Abroad”.

We are asked to consider the following questions:

What role does Canadian culture and know-how play in our foreign policy?

How might the government best promote Canadian talent and expertise in the world?

The eDiscussion runs from April 4 to May 6, 2005. At its conclusion, a summary of the discussion will be sent to senior policy planners.

The Expat admin team encourages its readers to join in the eDiscussion at the Canadian International Policy website.

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Posted by Admin

The administration team is currently searching for Canadian expatriates who would be interested in contributing to the Expat Blog. The subject matter is wide open, but must remain family friendly.

If you are interested in joining our blogging team, please send an email our way!

Thank you!

Five years after Joe introduced the world to the terms "chesterfield", "touque", and the letter "zed", Molson Breweries is saying "hit the road Joe". That's right, the "I am Canadian" advertisement campaign is over. Witnesses declared that Joe's death knell could be heard as the Montreal based Molson merged with U.S. brewer Adolph Coors Co in a $6 billion Ameribuck deal.

To replace the flannel wearing, flag waving, free toque in your case of beer, declaration of national pride advertising campaign, Molson Canadian has introduced a new tagline and a new series of commercials to pitch their product to thirsty consumers. In Joe's stead, we will now find bodacious babes and frat boys partying it up in television commercials along with the tagline, "It Starts Here". Clearly this new and innovative marketing campaign will set Molson Canadian apart from all of those other brands of beer whose manufacturers have not yet clued in that sex sells liquor.

As a nation mourns the end of an ad campaign that became part of the Canadian cultural identity, we can only cling to what remains of the "I am Canadian" gear. Thanks to the heads up from Mudpuppy, we know that there is a good stash of it here.

Looking for more?
You can find all sorts of variations of the "I am Canadian" rant here, including the original. You will also find a rant for our American friends here. (Audio)


Disclaimer:
If you are one of my in-laws or an American who does not have a sense of humour (not that being my in-law and lacking a sense of humour goes hand in hand) do NOT click that last link! I am totally serious. You might think that I am kidding, but I am not! Seriously, I am serious.