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!

"Canada will cease to exist, if they lose Olympic hockey," the television announcer explained in his southern drawl. "That is just how favoured this team is going to be!"

My husband's eyes met my eyes. It was game on.

It has been nearly four years since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City completely jeopardized our relationship. Everything came down to that final hockey game between Team Canada and Team USA. For Team Canada, a return to the top of the podium after a fifty year absence hung in the balance; for us, four years of extreme bragging rights were at stake.

We cheered for our respective teams from our respective countries. Two thousand, two hundred and ninety-five miles separated us, but the rivalry was fierce. A final score of 5-2 sealed the deal. The enduring legacy has been a cardboard cut-out of a Mountie taped to the inside of my husband's closet door - a gentle reminder of who brought home the gold.

One can only imagine what the rivalry will be like now that we are under the same roof. All that is certain, is that both Canada's pride and my bragging rights will cease to exist if the 'Nuks lose Olympic hockey. I have also been warned that if the USA takes home the gold, I will be looking at a cardboard cut-out of Mr. George W. Bush for the next four years. It just can't happen.