Don Collier

It is with great sadness the we inform former colleagues and friends of the death of Donald (Don) Collier, who passed away September 6, 2009 at the Vancouver General Hospital after a long battle with leukemia.

He is survived by his wife Helen. Don joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1974, with postings in Seoul, Islamabad, Port of Spain, Bangkok and Hong Kong. His last assignment was at Headquarters in the Division of Overseas Operations (TCS). Don retired from the Department in 2005 and moved to Victoria.

Information regarding memorial service will be published in the Victoria Times Colonist and the Globe and Mail in due course.

Condolences could be emailed to helen.collier@shaw.ca or at the following address:

Helen Collier
409 - 50 Songhees Road
Victoria, BC V9A 7J4

Michael Conway

CONWAY, Michael Stephen On Saturday, September 5, 2009, Michael Stephen Conway, aged 63. Beloved husband and best friend of Myra Beauchamp Conway. Dear son of the late Leo James Conway and the late Ivy Burkitt. Left to mourn are his sisters Patricia Conway-Willis (late Earl), Barbara Smith (Russell) and Catherine Stewart (late George), and his brothers Peter (Linda) and Christopher (Elise). Remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews and their children, and by his many friends in Canada and all parts of the world. Michael was a proud Canadian who served the country he loved as a public servant and diplomat in Ottawa, St. John's Newfoundland, and in Sweden, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Malaysia. In his last few years Michael lived with early onset dementia. He was able to live his life at home with dignity and much laughter with the loving help of his caregivers, in particular Shirley Lamoureux, Linda Prudhomme, Sharon Lang and Yvonne Valentine, their nursing care manager at Retire-At-Home. Friends may call at St. James Anglican Church, 1138 Bridge Street, Manotick, on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at the church on Friday at 11:00 a.m. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com

Romoff Steps Down

David McFadden, Chair of the Board of Directors, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) has announced that Mark Romoff has decided he will step down as OCE President in September. While this is obviously an opportunity for Amigos still looking for employment, Mark's will be a hard act to follow. According to McFadden:

OCE has benefited greatly from his leadership and is now recognized as Ontario’s best-in-class innovation and technology commercialization organization with an impressive province-wide portfolio of successes.

The OCE Board of Directors acknowledges Mark for his hard work and vision which has positioned OCE for continued success. In the weeks ahead, the Board will launch a search process to find the right person to build upon the legacy built during Mark’s tenure as President.

Well done, Brother Romoff. The rest of you start updating your résumés, or not.

Colfer and Perron Ride for Dad

Bob Gayner

From today's Citizen. Robert Gayner
GAYNER, Robert "Bob" Harold Peacefully, at the Ottawa General Cancer Centre on Monday morning, June 8th, 2009, at the age of 79. A man loved by many people, he will be sadly missed by all of us: his children Bill, Michael and Mary, their partners Harry, Ganaele and Chris, his grand daughter Emma, his new love Chloe, his extended family and many good friends. He was the loving and devoted husband of the late Helen Gayner. Bob was a true Canadian, with a long distinguished career as a Canadian diplomat who served as Canadian Ambassador to Iraq and Canadian Consul General in Chicago. After retiring from the Foreign Service, he was Executive Director for the Business Fund for Canadian Studies in the United States and then Executive Director for the Trade Facilitation Office Canada. Bob also found time for extensive volunteer work, including serving as Chair of Catholic Family Services Ottawa as well as in regional and national leadership roles with the Federal Superannuates Association. He was known for his enthusiasm and hearty laugh, and he loved people, travel, and life. Friends may visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON, from 4-7 p.m., on Thursday, June 11th, 2009. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, 375 Sussex Drive at St. Patrick, Ottawa at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 12th, 2009. Bob's family is very grateful for the many acts of kindness, prayers and wishes of his friends. Contributions may be made in Bob's memory to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, designated to the 5th floor General Campus Cancer Centre.

Landsdowne Park Redevelopmemt

Bob Brocklebank, retired Trade Commissioner, is an active critic of the City of Ottawa's development schemes. He has his eye on the cozy deal being proposed for Landsdowne Park. He thinks we should know more about it.

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You may not realize that redevelopment of Lansdowne Park could have an impact on everyone in Ottawa. Issues of concern include significant expenditure by the city payable from property taxes, the leasing of public land without prospect of receiving meaningful rent and questionable procurement practices by the City.

2. In order to inform residents of Ottawa about the project, a new informal group called Friends of Lansdowne Park has been formed. A meeting will be held at Lansdowne Park on the evening of Tuesday June 2 (from 7:30pm in the Assembly Hall) at which the project will be described and various experts will share their views. Questions and comments from the audience will be encouraged. Public comments will be captured and provided to members of Council and to participants in the current negotiation about the project.

3. You, plus your friends and neighbours, are invited to participate in Tuesday's meeting. You might also visit the website www.friendsoflansdownepark.ca for additional information.

4. Here's a quick background summary: Competition for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park was halted a year ago. Last month the City began negotiations on a single source basis with a business group known as OSEG (Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group). The project proposal on which negotiations were launched was that Ottawa taxpayers pay for the restoration of Frank Clair Stadium and the Civic Centre plus build parking facilities at a cost of around $125 million, that OSEG be given the construction contract and that the renovated facilities be turned over to OSEG under a 30 year lease for a nominal rent. In addition, some 9 to 10 acres of the park would be leased to OSEG for 30 years (again at a nominal rent) to permit the construction of a shopping and entertainment complex, plus possibly a hotel and office buildings. Any improvements to the balance of the park would be at the cost of the city, but OSEG would be granted management and control of the entire park. OSEG would build the shopping complex etc. at their expense and would operate a CFL football team which would play its home games in the renovated stadium. City revenue from the project would be limited to whatever nominal rents are determined and property taxes on the shopping complex buildings. Negotiations are to proceed for 60 days. If a negotiated arrangement is reached, it will be opened to public consultation, followed by Council acceptance (or rejection) of the deal.

Robert Brocklebank

rbrock0564@rogers.com

Invitation

Dear colleagues who may have left the building, but not our memory: on behalf of the the Department I'd like to extend a warm invitation to this year's Trade Commissioner Service BBQ - see below for more details !

Chers collègues qui ont quitté les bureaux mais pas notre mémoire: au nom du Ministère, j'aimerais vous transmettre la plus cordiale des invitations au BBQ annuel du Service des délégués commerciaux - voir ci-dessous pour plus de renseignements !

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Le « Barbecue gril-au-soleil » est de retour – Rejoignez-nous pour le déjeuner barbecue annuel du Commerce international et du Service des délégués commerciaux (SDC) au pavillon du Centre national des Arts ce vendredi 5 juin 2009 entre midi et 13h30.

Les billets seront en vente au coût de $20 les 27 et 28 mai ainsi que les 2 et 3 juin, au 125, Sussex dans le hall de la tour C et au 111, Sussex en face de la cafétéria entre 11h00 et 13h00.

The "Sizzling Fun in the Sun BBQ" is back – Join us for the annual International Trade and Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) luncheon at the NAC's Rooftop Terrace on Friday June 5, 2009 fromnoon to 1:30 p.m.

Tickets will be on sale for $20 on May 27 and 28 as well as June 2 and 3, at 125 Sussex in the lobby of Tower C and at 111 Sussex in front of the cafeteria, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
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Please note that we will not be able to set aside tickets for payment at the door on the day of the event: all tickets must be paid for no later than June 3. In addition to the sale blitzes given above, you can also contact myself or my colleague Carolyn by e-mail or phone to arrange a purchase, during business hours this week and early next week:

Veuillez noter que nous ne pourrons pas mettre des billets de côté pour paiement à la porte le jour de l'événement: tous les billets doivent être payés au plus tard le 3 juin. En plus des périodes de vente indiquées ci-haut, vous pouvez également contacter ma collègue Carolyn ou moi-même pendant les heures d'affaires pour planifier l'achat de billets cette semaine ou en début de semaine prochaine:

François Lasalle (613) 992-7017

Carolyn Bertrand (613) 944-2395

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Au plaisir de vous compter des nôtres,

François Lasalle

Deputy Director (Business Development) / Directeur adjoint (Développement des Affaires)

International Trade Missions Division (BTM) /

Direction des missions commerciales internationales (BTM)

125 Sussex Dr., B3-129

Ottawa (ON), K1A 0G2

tel (613) 992-7017

fax (613) 996-3406

francois.lasalle@international.gc.ca