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!

On this day in 1903, the coal mining village of Frank, NWT (now Alberta) was completely obliterated when an estimated 82 million tonnes of rock slid along a plane of structural weakness from Turtle Mountain onto the village. The slide lasted for less than a minute and a half and debris stretched over 3 square kilometres, covering roads, houses, farms, and a mine entrance.

The slide left 17 men trapped in the mine. As they fought against a dwindling air supply, they dug a new shaft and emerged to freedom having spent 13 hours trapped underground. Twenty-three men, women and children were rescued from the rubble, but at least 70 others died in the disaster.

There is still considerable controversy over the cause of the slide. Some believe unsafe mining practices were contributing factors, while others believe it was simply a natural disaster. More than likely, the slide was caused by a combination of earthquakes, erosion, and mining.

For more information, see the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.