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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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!

You, too, can own a piece of Canadian television history!

Sullivan Movies is auctioning off costumes and props from Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, and Wind at My Back, including the "sanatorium contraption" that Cecily King wore in Road to Avonlea's episode Christmas in June.*

The description for this item is as follows:

It looks like a combination of a straitjacket and a corset, but it could also be part of a costume for a gladiator. Actually, it is a garment constructed to combat the effects of tuberculosis. Cecily King wore this lace-up restraint in the episode "Christmas in June"” . This is why, upon hearing about her upcoming costume, the original Cecily, Harmony Cramp turned tail and fled, to be replaced by Molly Atkinson. In the absence of a rack, the ecommerce department uses this restrictive uniform to improve productivity. The employee, lashed to the computer, is endlessly forced to write amusing descriptions of Sullivan memorabilia.

This episode stands out in my mind, not only because it marked the departure of Harmony Cramp and the introduction of Molly Atkinson as Cecily King, but because it was the first episode that totally focused on Cecily. In five seasons, Cecily had always been the child in the background with very few lines.

I am tempted to bid. I really am.

* Check out the inspired reenactment of this episode. The link is located just above "rhetorical questions".