With respect to Expo, I certainly think, given what I've heard people say about it and their memories of it, that it was an extremely critical anchor event. It was something that galvanized the nation. People felt tremendously proud of it. I've said the world visited Canada and Canadians visited the world, all in Montreal. For many people, it was the first time they had been in a francophone cultural environment. I know friends and family from the west coast who visited. It was a tremendously enriching experience.
I also think that what made Expo unique from perhaps expos that happen now is expos now are more what I would consider a trade show kind of content. I think that Expo 67, and I didn't have the privilege of attending Expo, as my family immigrated to Canada the year after.... But just to show how the messages transpired, I understand my parents were bitterly disappointed that they had missed Expo by a number of months, because we arrived in Montreal and they had really been looking forward to it. But there was a sense of learning and sharing and a sense of connection.
I think it was this idea of a hub where people came together and met and shared something profound. That's the legacy, and I agree.
When I started doing my work on my dissertation, I couldn't wait to go to Île Ste. Hélène and see the Buckyball, trying to envision what it had been like.