Krall is an incredible instrument of Canadian foreign policy

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Mel Cappe, until recently Canada's high commissioner in London, agrees. "There is still a need for showcasing Canada to foreigners. The way you do that, I'm afraid, is by entertaining," Mr. Cappe says. "Business is done at cocktails."

But he also says diplomats have to keep up with the times. In addition to residence dinners, big public venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Covent Garden were important networking grounds for him when famous Canadian talent was in town during his 2002-2006 term.

"Diana Krall is an incredible instrument of Canadian foreign policy. I'd take very senior people to see Oscar Peterson or Diana Krall. I would get to go backstage and introduce them. Here were these ... bigwigs turning to Jell-O when they got to shake hands with Diana Krall," he says. "That helps me when I'm talking to them about their investments in Canada or why they should be viewing Canada as a creative and modern country rather than hewers of wood and drawers of water."