John Starnes Memorial

A memorial service for John Starnes (February 5,1918- December 23, 2014) will be held at St. Bartholomew's Church, 125 MacKay Street, Ottawa, at 11:30 on Saturday, May 23.

Treleaven Learns a Lesson

Why did he say "You've got to keep your eye on more than the ball"?

Here's why.

Maddick-Britton 2015

Date: Monday, June 29, 2015 from 1:00 p.m.; dinner tentatively at 7:30 p.m.  

$99.00 per player; dinner only $35.00 (taxes, gratuities included)

 

Includes:   18 holes of golf (1:30 pm shot-gun tee off), power cart, competition or group play for fun, prizes – pick your team! A relaxed outing at the beautiful Carleton Golf and Yacht Club, on the Rideau River south of Manotick.

 

Activities for the day: (sponsorships support activities, with funds to Roger’s House).

 

1.  Food Drive: for the "Ottawa Food Bank"   Please bring non-perishable food items for the Ottawa Food Bank, receive 1 ticket for each item donated for a chance to win prizes.

 

2.  Closest to the Line: women & men.

 

3. Closest to the Pin: women & men.

 

4. Putting Challenge:  Hole #19 “The practice green” will host a putting challenge for some excellent prizes.  $5 for 5 putts; play as many times as you like.

 

5. 50/50 Draw: $5 for 3 tickets; $10 for 7 tickets; $20 for an arm’s length.

 

Maddick-Britton 2015 - Things to remember:

MB handicaps will be set early in June; payment before June 20 via Interac transfer or cheque to MB2015 (procedure in the end-May update/on request) to confirm participation; payment at course on 29^th possible (note risk of limited spaces); all non-competitive participants will have a fun day with challenges, free balls and no pressure.

 

We encourage a strong contingent of current and former DFATD colleagues to convene at the CG&YC in just two months to renew our 34 year-old MB tradition! Spouses are most welcome!! We are bringing a new format for broader participation and new sponsors, linked to a charity.  While at dinner you can cheer on your side in the traditional political (now with development) versus trade team competition. We will update you before the end of May to confirm activities, sponsors and charities, and to encourage early sign up; at which time we will seek details such as participation in the competition pool (& handicap) or just for fun.

 

We are counting on our retired MB dependables to reach out to still-working DFATD colleagues to encourage their participation, and we will follow up in-house in May to build participation from working personnel, including the new development staff.  We welcome suggestions of any names we should approach in the Department, or possible sponsors - please provide them to Craig Wilson at craigwilson74@yahoo.ca . Note:  If you can't attend, please let Craig know, so we remove your name from further messages until the results of the day are known.

 

 

David Stockwell                Doug Woods            Craig Wilson            Bob Mason

James Albert Holt: RIP

Jim passed away on March 10. Many of us knew him as a kind and knowledgeable ex-military pilot whose section in DFAIT -- military sales promotion -- was not made to feel completely at home. This Ottawa Citizen article tells of his battle with cancer, and with OHIP.

Article

Obit

Leon Stryker: RIP

Colleague John Tennant advises that:

we recently lost a well-known Commercial Officer who served for many years in Melbourne, Australia, and has kept close ties with those of us who served in the post - now no longer - that was farthest from Ottawa.  Leon was present when the Office of the High Commissioner in Melbourne (pre Consulate General days) was among the first to fly the Canadian maple leaf in 1965  Leon was the identity of the office.  He made and sustained lasting relationships with all the surviving alumni from Melbourne. RIP.

Impact of Canadian Diplomatic Trade Offices Abroad

C D Howe study (early 2014) on the effect of trade offices -- announcement.

Report (pdf) is here.

Overview

With the federal government having prioritized “economic diplomacy” for overseas posts, along with a major budget consolidation, it is essential that Ottawa get the process right.

This E-Brief assesses the impact of Canada’s diplomatic representation abroad on exports. It concludes that economic diplomacy boosts exports – and quite significantly – and sheds light on the questions of where, why and how.

The main policy findings are that maintaining high-level diplomatic relations, through an embassy, has of itself a larger positive impact on exports than the deepening of relations via additional posts, and that the existence of a trade agreement with a destination market has a significant positive influence on Canadian exports to that market. The results suggest that there is a definite importance in the “G2G” (government-to-government) relationship as distinct from the role of government in providing “B2B” (business-to-business) trade facilitation.

David Laughton: RIP

David LAUGHTON Obituary

It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of David Benson Laughton on Monday, March 9, 2015. His family wishes to thank the staff and friends at the Rockcliffe Residence, Ottawa for their kindness, loving care and friendship over the past many years. Special thanks to Drs. Leclair, Mai, Thompson for their nurture and support. 

Dave is survived by his daughter Dionne Caldwell (Bill Welsh) of Ottawa, Ontario, his son Bruce Laughton (Sally) of Los Angeles, 5 grandchildren (Samantha, Chantal, Amanda, James and David) and 7 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of over 60 years, Dorothy (Dee, nee Pearson) whom he met in London, England while with the Canadian Army during WWII. Dave continued to serve his country joining the Department of Trade & Commerce in 1949 following graduating from the University of British Columbia. His foreign postings included; Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico, Seattle WA, Washington, D.C., and Columbia. Dave retired as Ambassador to Columbia & Ecuador, thereafter residing in Vancouver for several years before moving to Ottawa in 2007. David enjoyed a good game of bridge and cribbage as well as getting outdoors whenever he could. He particularly loved fly fishing, regardless of the results. Dave will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. A Celebration of Life dedication will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario would be appreciated. Condolences/Tributes/Donations:www.hpmcgarry.ca