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!

The 2005 - 2006 NHL season may be over and the Oilers may have lost the Cup, but Canucks abroad can regain a little of the hockey spirit with this hilarious Canadian Hockey Association public service announcement.



Fight, fight, fight!

For Fun:
Download the "Hockey Night in Canada" ringtone from the Canadians In Sweden website!

Rrrrring!

It was the phone.

"Hello?"

It was my Dad.

"Are you asleep," he asked.

I looked over at the clock, it said 9pm.

"Yeah. We have to be up at 2am to be in Chicago in time for my immigration interview."

"Oh. Sorry for calling."

"Nah. It is alright. I am glad that you did. Now somebody will know we are at the federal building."

My Dad did not miss a beat.

"Ohhh. Ammonium nitrate."

"If anything happens, please make sure someone knows to take care of the pets."

My husband thought that I was somewhat crazy for worrying about such things as terrorist attacks, and I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind as we went through the metal detectors at the federal building and the Sears Tower.

I have to admit, though, that this morning's headline is quite unnerving - Seven Indicted in Sears Tower Plot.


Footnote:
Scream it from the roof tops, I finally have my green card!

First, the CBC announced the cancellation of the most quintessential example of Canadian children's programming, Mr.Dressup.

Now, the announcement has come that Peter Mansbridge's The National has been bumped from its 10pm timeslot on Tuesday nights to make way for a new American reality program entitled, The One: Making a Music Star.

CBC spokesman Jeff Keay explains the move:

"We have a mandate to provide unique content that appeals to a broad Canadian audience, and I think this is certainly consistent with that. This provides an opportunity to develop an audience for the format. And if it draws in viewers, as we anticipate it will, it will allow us an opportunity to promote other CBC offerings."

Yes. That is correct. Canadian tax dollars are now hard at work pumping in such "unique" content as yet another American reality knock off of Star Seach, Pop Stars, Making the Band, Making the Band II, Making the Band: III, Rock Star, Nashville Star, American Idol.

What on earth has become of the CBC?

After watching this:



And this:




It is pretty obvious that we all must find a way to see this.

Although Ernie Coombs left a nation in mourning upon his passing in 2001, his alter-ego, the patient Mr.Dressup, lived on entertaining Canada's preschoolers with reruns. However, it will not be for much longer, says CBC management.

Beginning in July, Mr.Dressup will be relegated to Sunday mornings before it is completely pulled off the air in September. According to the CBC, the series can no longer compete with today's standard of fast paced children's television programming.

Die hard fans of the series can purchase a DVD box set of "Mr.Dressup Tickle Trunk Treasures" for $35.99 from CBC Shop Online. The DVD features the return of Casey and Finnegan as hosts.


For Fun:
Mr.Dressup Theme Song
CBC Archives: Remembering Mr.Dressup


"Keep your pencils sharp, your hands out of the sticky tape,
and always put the lids back on your markers."
- Mr.Dressup