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Pop culture

Canadian celebrities make their mark

In its long tradition of being on the cutting edge of pop culture, Canada has nurtured incredible talent that has captured the imagination of the entire world.

The late pioneering pop philosopher and media guru Marshall McLuhan, a professor at the University of Toronto, told us how the electronic age had transformed the planet into a "global village" where "the medium is the message."

True, Canadian media draw attention internationally: the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), as a broadcaster, and the National Film Board (NFB), as a maker of documentaries - both highly respected worldwide.

Our "messengers," Canadians who work mainly in other countries, have also made a global impact.

Toronto native Jim Carrey has become America's premier comic and one of the world's leading cinematic box-office draws, following a Canadian tradition that began almost a century ago when fellow Torontonian, Mary Pickford, reigned as America's sweetheart and became one of the world's first movie superstars.

And chances are that CD you just purchased or radio station you've tuned into features the vocal gifts of Céline Dion, Shania Twain, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, Diana Krall, Loreena McKennitt, Roch Voisine or Bryan Adams - all award-winning recording artists and musical giants, and all Canadian.

Recommended links:

• Canadian Radio Stations on the Internet: www.radio-locator.com
• Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada: www.pwgsc.gc.ca
• Canadian Broadcasting Corp: www.cbc.ca
• National Film Board of Canada: www.nfb.ca
• Maclean's: www.macleans.ca
• Canadian Celebrities: www.canadiancelebs.com

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