The downsizing of the annual Canada Day celebrations at Canada's flagship embassy in the U.S. capital may seem like sensible belt-tightening to some, regardless of the griping by ex-pats about this year's much smaller Pennsylvania Avenue shindig.

There’s growing awareness in government about Canadians abroad. Foreign Affairs and International Trade has been looking at global Canadians as part of public diplomacy and international business development; other federal departments also share an interest.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is the most pro-monarchy Canadian leader since the 1950s, and his ambition is to foster a national identity that is more conservative and more aware of its historical roots. He has just come out of a general election greatly strengthened, and now he gets to bask in the aura of William and Kate on their first official overseas trip as a married couple.

Monarchy and tourism experts alike say no marketing budget could buy the boost Canada will get from hosting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their first tour abroad since their April 29 wedding captivated the world.

Ottawa should appoint a parliamentary secretary to oversee an office dedicated to engaging with these Canadian citizens, who live [abroad].Through outreach and public diplomacy, this office could foster greater business, educational and cultural ties with Canadians who live abroad.

After decades of absorbing North America’s cultural diplomacy, India is returning the favour, with Indian government officials announcing plans to locate North America’s first Indian Cultural Centre in Toronto.

The Marshall McLuhan Prize, named after the world-renowned Canadian communication scholar...Launched in 1997, the prize aims to encourage investigative journalism in the Philippines, underlining Canada’s belief that "a strong media is essential to a free democratic society."

...carefully consider who was offering to pay for it. The money would come from the Hanban, an arm of the Chinese government...That’s the same government...that jailed Nobel-prize winner Liu Xiaobo for 11 years...and the same government that employs 50,000 citizens to scour the Internet in search of dissent.