International Trade Conference - December 7, 2009

Hon. Scott Brison, MP will host a non-partisan conference on international trade issues on Monday, December 7, 2009 from 10:00 A.M. until 5:30 P.M. in Room 200 West Block. All Parliamentarians are encouraged to attend.

The Rt. Hon. Joe Clark and Lucien Bradet, President of the Canadian Council on Africa, will give a lunch keynote address on trade with Africa. Other sessions will focus on Canadian trade with the United States (10:00am-12:00noon), China (1:30pm-2:45pm), India
(2:45pm-4:00pm) and the E.U.(4:15pm-5:30pm). Session panellists include Pierre-Marc Johnson, Peter Harder, Hon. Roy MacLaren, Scotty Greenwood, Rob Wright, Peter Sutherland, Colin Robertson and Wendy Dobson.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact brisos7@parl.gc.ca and advise which session(s) you are interested in attending.

Tiger Woods Family Christmas Photo

DFAIT Cancels Cross-Canada Tours for Trainees

What a shame. These tours allowed new FSOs to learn about the country they would represent while abroad. They also enabled them to say they had been "there", or nearby, when anyone asked, even years later. Most of all, the tours were a sort of boot camp. A group that survives a few weeks of late night arrivals, factory tours and boardroom presentations gets to know one another, they bond and become colleagues. The tours also allow participants to build up a trove of embarrassing stories about their new colleagues that they will embellish and recite for many years in many lands. They are (were?) the most valuable part of the entire training period.

Full story in Diplomat. Thanks to David Horley for pointing it out. - JL

Bob Godson

ROBERT GILBERT GODSON (MAY 24, 1932 - OCTOBER 1, 2009) After a period of ill health, Bob passed away peacefully on October 1st, at North York General Hospital. He was a graduate of Lawrence Park Collegiate, University of Toronto and Osgood Law School. He was a diplomat with the Canadian Government for most of his career, having first ser ved as Canadian Trade Commissioner in South Africa, later representing Canada in China for many years, working from Hong Kong. When Canada diplomatically recognized China in 1971, he was appointed the First Secretary on the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. He later spent a number of years with the United Nations in various Asian countries and for a time was Counsel to Jardine Mathison in Hong Kong. For the past 25 years he has been a resident of Bangkok, Thailand until recently returning to Canada. Throughout his life Bob was a talented pianist. He is survived by his beloved sister Patricia (Gordon) Gray, by his nephews and nieces Donald (Jodie) Gray, David (Susan) Gray, Diane Gray, Douglas (Kathi) Gray and Deborah Gray, and his many grand nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Church in Gravenhurst at 1:30 PM on Saturday, October 10th. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Critical Care Unit of North York General Hospital, Foundation Office, 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto, N2K 1E1.

(Globe and Mail, Oct. 6)

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.

-----

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 !

----
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.
___________________________________________________________

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

Diplomatic Appointments

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

John Barrett becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Austria, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna.

Alan Bones becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland.

David Chatterson becomes Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Caroline Chrétien becomes High Commissioner to New Zealand, with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Tonga, the Independent State of Samoa, the Republic of Kiribati, and the Republic of the Fiji Islands.

Sarah Fountain Smith becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Chile.

Edwin Loughlin becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia.

Audri Mukhopadhyay becomes Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Christopher Shapardanov becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Finland.

Christopher Wilkie becomes Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Shuttle and Hubble Telescope transit the sun: 600 miles above Earth

DFAIT Limits Lunch to One Beer

New Stock Market Terms

CEO --Chief Embezzlement Officer.

CFO-- Corporate Fraud Officer.

BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.

BEAR MARKET -- A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.

VALUE INVESTING -- The art of buying low and selling lower.

P/E RATIO -- The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.

BROKER -- What my broker has made me.

STANDARD & POOR -- Your life in a nutshell.

STOCK ANALYST -- Idiot who just downgraded your stock.

STOCK SPLIT -- When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.

FINANCIAL PLANNER -- A guy whose phone has been disconnected.

MARKET CORRECTION -- The day after you buy stocks.

CASH FLOW-- The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.

YAHOO -- What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.

WINDOWS -- What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo @ $240 per share.

INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR -- Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse.

PROFIT -- An archaic word no longer in use.

(thanks to Jim Graham)

New Immigration Law Might Affect Your Grandchildren

Children of children born abroad to foreign service parents might be affected by the new law. The following is from from the CIC website.

A new law amending the Citizenship Act came into effect on April 17, 2009. The new law gives Canadian citizenship to certain people who lost it and to others who are recognized as citizens for the first time.

Citizenship is automatic and retroactive to the day the person was born or lost citizenship, depending on the situation. These people do not have to apply for citizenship, but may need to apply for a certificate to prove their citizenship. People who were Canadian citizens when the law came into effect will keep their citizenship.

Learn more about the new citizenship law:

Who became a citizen under the new law

The law restores citizenship to people who:

• became citizens when the first citizenship act took effect on January 1, 1947, including people born in Canada prior to 1947 and war brides. It also applies to other British subjects who had lived in Canada for at least five years before 1947, became citizens on January 1, 1947, and who then lost citizenship.

It also restores citizenship to people who:

• were born in Canada or who became Canadian citizens on or after January 1, 1947, and who then lost their citizenship and
• were born outside Canada, on or after January 1, 1947, in the first generation born abroad, to a Canadian citizen.

The law also gives citizenship to some people who have never been citizens. This includes people who:

• were born outside Canada on or after January 1, 1947
• are in the first generation born abroad and
• were born to a Canadian citizen.

Who did not become a citizen under the new law

Some people did not become citizens under the new law. This includes people who:

• did not become citizens when the first citizenship act took effect on January 1, 1947
• were born in Canada but are not citizens because when they were born, one of their parents was a foreign diplomat and neither parent was a permanent resident or citizen of Canada
• were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, who are not already citizens or who lost their citizenship in the past, and who were born in the second or next generation abroad (this includes people who failed to retain citizenship)
• renounced their citizenship as adults with the Canadian government or
• had their citizenship revoked by the government because it was obtained by fraud.

Understanding the first generation limitation

Under the old rules, it was possible for Canadians to pass on their citizenship to endless generations born outside Canada. To protect the value of Canadian citizenship for the future, the new law limits – with a few exceptions – citizenship by descent to one generation born outside Canada.

This means that children born to Canadian parents in the first generation outside Canada will only be Canadian at birth if:

• one parent was born in Canada, or
• one parent became a Canadian citizen by immigrating to Canada and was later granted citizenship (also called naturalization).

The rules may also affect children adopted by Canadian parents outside Canada, depending on the way in which the child obtained, or will obtain, their Canadian citizenship. Learn more about the new citizenship law and adoption.

Government workers and Canadian Forces personnel

All children born to a Canadian parent who is working outside the country for the Canadian federal or provincial governments, or serving in the Canadian Forces, will be Canadian, regardless of the generation in which they were born outside Canada.*

However, it is important to note that the children of diplomatic or military personnel will have limits on their ability to pass along Canadian citizenship to their own children if those children are born outside of Canada.

This means that their children born outside Canada (the grandchildren of diplomatic or military personnel) will not be Canadian, unless:

• one Canadian parent is working outside the country for the Canadian federal and provincial governments, or serving in the Canadian military; or
• one parent was born or naturalized in Canada (naturalized means they immigrated to Canada and were later granted citizenship).

*This exception does not apply to Canadians employed as locally-engaged staff.

Are you wondering how your situation may be impacted by the new changes?

The following scenarios explain how the change affects a child born to a Canadian parent outside Canada on or after April 17, 2009.

1) Jackie was born in Canada. While living outside Canada, Jackie gives birth to Angela. Angela’s father is not a Canadian citizen. Angela is born in the first generation outside Canada and is a Canadian citizen at birth. Jackie and Angela return to Canada. When in university outside Canada, Angela has a son, Edward. Edward’s father is not a Canadian citizen. Edward is not a citizen of Canada. Angela may apply to sponsor Edward to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident (if she intends to move back to Canada). If he is granted permanent residence, Angela can apply on her son’s behalf to be granted citizenship immediately.

*If Angela returns to Canada to give birth to her son, Edward would automatically be Canadian, by virtue of being born in Canada.

2) Sarah was born in Canada. While living outside Canada, Sarah gives birth to Jessica. Jessica’s father is also a Canadian citizen. Jessica is a Canadian citizen at birth and is born in the first generation outside Canada. Sarah and Jessica continue to live outside Canada. Years later, not long after she begins working for the private sector outside Canada, Jessica has a daughter, Chelsea, with her partner, Sam. Sam immigrated to Canada and was naturalized (granted citizenship) there years earlier. Chelsea is a Canadian citizen at birth and is born in the first generation outside Canada. Chelsea remains outside Canada and when she grows up, she has a child named Peter. Peter’s father is not Canadian. Peter is not a citizen of Canada.

*If Chelsea comes to Canada to give birth to her son, Peter would automatically be Canadian, by virtue of being born in Canada.

Read more examples of people who are affected by the new law.

What do I need to prove I am a Canadian citizen?

For most purposes, people born in Canada may use their provincial or territorial birth certificate to prove their Canadian citizenship. People who were born in Canada and lost their citizenship, and who either resumed their citizenship in the past or regained it under the new law, should be able to use their birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

People who were born outside Canada need a citizenship certificate to prove their Canadian citizenship. Find out how to apply for a citizenship certificate.

Rob Wright Retires

A request received from our Embassy in Beijing:

Ambassador Robert G. Wright will be leaving Beijing in May and retiring from the Canadian Public Service (after 38 years) in June 2009. We would like to compile a book comprised of messages from colleagues and friends from all over the world. The book would be presented to him at an event that the Embassy is planning in early May.

Your help in disseminating this message would be appreciated. All messages should be sent to the following e-mail address:

suzie.loughlin@international.gc.ca, no later than May 5, 2009.

Tweedsmuir Lecture - May 7, 2009

The Tweedsmuir Lecture, sponsored by the English-Speaking Union of Canada (Ottawa Branch) is being held Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Delta Hotel, 361 Queen St, Ottawa, Algonquin Room's A & B, 6:30pm for 7:00pm. The cost is $20/person. Light refreshments will be served.

The guest speaker is His Excellency Mr. Anthony Cary, British High Commissioner to Canada. His intriguingly-titled talk is "An honest man sent to lie abroad...: The role of a modern Ambassador."

The Tweedsmuir Lecture is the premier annual speaking event of the Ottawa Branch of the ESU. For tickets and reservations please telephone 613-226-6529, or by writing to:

The English-Speaking Union, Ottawa Branch

PO Box 23079, Ottawa, ON K2A 4E2

email: inform@esu.ca

Customer Reassurance

Automatic reply to anyone trying to contact a Trade Commissioner abroad:

-----Original Message to MOSCO (Infocentre)/Message d'origine à MOSCO
(Infocentre) -----

Thank you for your message, which will be forwarded to the appropriate
division at Headquarters or Missions abroad.

Disclaimer
Please note that the fact that you received this acknowledgement should not be construed as a guarantee that your electronic message has been delivered to the appropriate division for response, as it may have encountered technical problems en route.

The acknowledgement of your message should not be construed as a guarantee that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International trade has or will take any action. If you require a response on an urgent basis, and cannot wait until the next business day, in Canada, please call 1-800-267-8376; outside Canada, please contact the nearest Embassy of Canada.

Privacy and Confidentiality
Please note that any information you submit is not secure and could be observed by a third party while in transit. It would be preferable not to use electronic mail if you are submitting personal information about yourself or someone else. Due to security and confidentiality requirements, the Department cannot accept requests for personal information on case-specific enquiries through the Internet. For emergency assistance in the Ottawa area, please call 943-1055; outside Ottawa, please call 1-800-387-3124.

World's Best Commercial

We're non-commercial here, but this warrants an exception. I'll buy whatever they're selling.

An Evening of Lester B.

Ottawa (March 26, 2009)

The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) and the Carleton University Library Circle of Friends have teamed up with local author, columnist and journalism professor Andrew Cohen to create a special event open to the public. The Lives and Lessons of Lester Pearson will showcase a lecture by Mr. Cohen about our controversial prime minister, Lester B. Pearson, which will be followed by a book signing, prizes and an informal meet and greet session with the two hosting friends groups. Where: The Chamber, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive When: 7:00 p.m. Contact: April Duffy, Public Relations Assistant Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association april.duffy@biblioottawalibrary.ca 613-899-0819

Stand By Me

This is worth a listen.

DFAIT Budget "Slashed"

Foreign Affairs Hit with $639 Million in Cuts

So runs the headline in Embassy, the Hill Time's journal dedicated to increasing diplomacy's share of the fiscal pie. They are especially irked that while DFAIT takes a hit DND gets more. It's here.

Panorama

Anyone interested in reading the daily notices to DFAIT staff can do so to their heart's content here. There are lists of available positions, events in the cafeteria, notices of construction on the 9th floor...

John Rankin Sharpe: RIP

Friends and colleagues will be sadden by the death of John on Sunday, February 15.  A copy of the obituary from today's Citizen is below.  As similar obiuary appeared in today's Globe and Mail.  Gar

 

SHARPE, John Rankin It is with profound sadness that the family of John Sharpe announces his death at the Bonnechere Manor, Renfrew on Sunday afternoon, February 15th, 2009 at the age of 82 years. He was a kind and gentle man who was much loved by his devoted wife of 52 years, Alison (nee Thorburn). Dearly loved father of Kathryn Kearns (Stephen) of Montreal, Michael of Scotland, Alan (Ruth) of Kitchener and David of New York. Treasured "Grandpa" of Jeffrey, Matthew and Trevor Kearns and Andrew and Spencer Sharpe. Predeceased by his brother, William and his sister, Elizabeth. John's career in the Canadian Foreign Service, over a period of 30 years, involved postings to Sri Lanka, Washington D.C., Dublin, Paris, London and Seattle, where he was the Consul General. Upon retirement, John spent 10 more very happy years with CCAF (The Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation) in Ottawa, where he made many new friends. The family would like to express their gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Dr. A. Di Paolo and the entire staff of the Bonnechere Manor, Renfrew. Friends may join John's family at the Pilon Family Funeral Home & Chapel, 50 John Street North, Arnprior, Ontario, on Thursday morning, February 19th at 11 o'clock for a celebration of John's life. For those wishing, a donation to the Alzheimer Society or the Arnprior Humane Society would be greatly appreciated. Condolences/Tributes/Donations www.pilonfamily.ca

Ibbitson on DFAIT

Our foreign service retains many highly skilled officers who work hard to protect our interests and to contribute to the dialogue abroad. But they have been betrayed by events and by politicians who have lost control over those events. The ministry of Louis St. Laurent, of Lester Pearson, of Joe Clark, of Lloyd Axworthy, of John Manley is falling apart.

Read the rest, in the Feb. 5 G&M -- here.

DFAIT Recruiting Poster

Update Your Bumperstickers

"I have a liberal neighbor with some bumper stickers that no longer send the message she wants. I’m watching to see if and when she removes the sticker that says, 'Visualize Impeachment,' and another saying, 'If You Can Read This, You’re Not the President.' Clearly to her, those are now outdated and should be removed. Would it be wrong to go knock on her door and ask if I could have them for my car?"

Cure for Alzheimers?

David Horley reports some good news. According to this, an alcoholic beverage or two per day will ward off Alzheimers. Wasn't it Pasteur who said there are more old drunks than old doctors?