Ars Nova Concerts, Ottawa

Amigos in the Ottawa area might like to take in this year's concerts by Ars Nova on Dec. 23 and Jan. 27.


Link here.


Note that brother David Clendenning's acclaimed photography will be on display during the reception at the event on Jan. 27.

BERNARD DUSSAULT 1942-2011

Following message is from RHOMA.

Les membres de l'ACMAR seront triste d'apprendre la mort de Bernard Dussault à Montréal le 8 décembre 2011; voir nécrologie çi bas.  

RHOMA members will be saddened to learn of the death of Bernard Dussault in Montreal, December 8, 2011; the text of the obituary appears below.

C’est avec une très grande tristesse que la famille vous informe du décès de Bernard Dussault. Il laisse dans le deuil sa fille Nathalie, son fils Philippe (Laetitia Mandrier), ses petits-enfants Maïa, Maxime et Arnaud; ses sœurs Michelle (Jacques Coulombe), Nicole, et son frère Robert (Phoebe Kaplan); son neveu Manuel Dussault et ses nièces Emilie Dussault, Marie Michelle et Dominique Bellon; sa compagne Monique Lamarre, ses amis et collègues.

Bernard a passé sa carrière au Ministère des Affaires étrangères et Commerce International à Ottawa à plusieurs titres, notamment  Ambassadeur du Canada au Gabon, à Haïti, au Rwanda et Somalie; et Haut-Commissaire au Kenya et en Ouganda.  La famille recevra les condoléances au Centre Funéraire Côte des Neiges, 4525, Chemin de la Côte des Neiges, Montréal, Québec, H3V1E7, 514-342-8000, le samedi 17 décembre 2011 de 13 :00 à 15 :00H, suivra une célébration 15 :00 à 16 :30H et une rencontre de tous ceux qui l’ont côtoyé 16 :30-18 :00H.

Prière de ne pas envoyer de fleurs. Vos marques de sympathie peuvent se traduire par des dons à la Fondation de l’institut de Cardiologie de Montréal ou à la Maison du Père. 

BERNARD DUSSAULT      1942-2011  It is with great sadness that the family of Bernard Dussault informs you of his death.  He leaves in mourning his daughter Nathalie, his son Philippe (Laetitia Mandrier), his grandchildren Maïa, Maxime, and Arnaud; his  sisters Michelle (Jacques Coulombe), Nicole, and his brother Robert (Phoebe Kaplan); his nephew Manuel Dussault, and his nieces Emilie Dussault, Marie Michelle and Dominique Bellon; his companion, Monique Lamarre; his friends and colleagues.

Bernard spent his career at the Ministry of External Affairs and International Commerce in Ottawa with several different appointments, notably as Canadian ambassador to Gabon, Haiti, Rwanda, and Somalia; and high commissioner to Kenya and Uganda.  The family will receive condolences at:  The Funeral Home of Côte des Neiges, 4525 Chemin de la Côte des Neiges, Montreal, Quebec H3V1E7,514-342-8000,  Saturday December 17, 2011 from 13:00 to 15:00, followed by a ceremony from 15:00 to 16:30, and then a meeting of family, friends, and colleagues from 16:30-18:00.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at the funeral home, to La Fondation de l’Institut de Cardiologie de Montreal or to La Maison du Père.

Christmas Concert, Notre Dame, Dec. 18

The choirs of Notre Dame Cathedral are giving their annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 18 at 3 pm. The concert is at Notre Dame Cathedral on Sussex Drive, right across from the National Gallery.  It will be a chance to hear some lovely music of the season – and to sing along with some of it yourself! The concert will last approximately one hour.  Details here

Entry is by free will offering . And, there’s free parking in the lot behind the church  

Hope you can make it.  Please feel free to pass this along to others who you think might be interested in coming.

Michael Rooney - DFAIT Announcement

Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 4:48:16 PM
Subject: Décès de Michael Rooney / Death of Michael Rooney

It is with shock and great sadness that colleagues and friends will learn of the sudden death of Michael Rooney (Director, U.S. Transboundary Affairs Division). Michael's first assignment with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade was as a locally-engaged Trade Officer at our Consulate-General in Detroit. Inspired by his work in Detroit, Michael subsequently joined the Foreign Service in 1990 and held various assignments at Headquarters, including as departmental assistant in the Office of the Minister of International Trade. Other assignments of note included as Director of the APEC, Export Controls and Summits divisions, as well as Team Canada. Michael also served as Vice-Consul and Trade Commissioner at the Consulate-General in Boston. During the course of his career, Michael made many friends and earned the admiration and respect of all who crossed his path, in particular for his humanity, good nature and generosity of spirit. Moreover, his sense of humour was second to none. Michael leaves behind his wife, Jane, who heads up DFAIT's regional office in Ottawa, and their three children, David, Sarah and Johnathan. Visitation will take place Wednesday, November 23rd from 2 - 4 p.m. and  6 p.m. - 8 p.m.  at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod St (at O'Connor). A  Memorial Service will held at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave., on Thursday, November 24th at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael can be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.

Amis et collègues seront bouleversés et profondément attristés d’apprendre le décès soudain de Michael Rooney (directeur, Direction des affaires frontalières avec les États-Unis). La première affectation de Michael au ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Commerce international a été à titre d’agent commercial recruté sur place à notre consulat général de Detroit. Inspiré par son travail à Detroit, Michael a joint par la suite le Service extérieur en 1990 et a eu diverses affectations à l’Administration centrale, notamment à titre d’adjoint ministériel au bureau du ministre du Commerce international. Il a été, entre autres, directeur de l’APEC, de Contrôles à l’exportation, de Sommets et d’Équipe Canada. Michael a également exercé la fonction de vice-consul et délégué commercial au consulat général de Boston. Au cours de sa carrière, Michael s’est fait de nombreux amis et a su gagner le respect et l’admiration de tous ceux qui ont croisé sa route, en particulier à cause de son humanité, de son bon caractère et de sa générosité de cœur. Il avait aussi un sens de l’humour à nul autre pareil. Michael laisse dans le deuil son épouse, Jane, qui dirige le bureau régional du MAECI à Ottawa, ainsi que ses trois enfants, David, Sarah et Johnathan. Les visites auront lieu le mercredi 23 novembre de 14 h à 16 h et de 18 h à 20 h, à la chapelle centrale de Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315, rue McLeod (angle O'Connor). Un service commémoratif se tiendra le jeudi 24 novembre, à 13 h 30, au cimetière Beechwood, 280, avenue Beechwood. Plutôt que d’envoyer des fleurs, vous êtes invités à faire un don, à la mémoire de Michael, à la Fondation de l’Institut de cardiologie de l’Université d’Ottawa.

Michael Rooney

Tuesday November 22, 2011

MICHAEL HUGH ROONEY
(1959 – 2011) It is with deep sadness that the Rooney family announces the sudden passing of Michael Rooney, November 21, 2011. Loving husband of Jane (nee Minnes) Rooney, adoring and devoted father to David, Sarah, and Johnathan. Dearly loved son of the late Hugh and Dorothy Rooney. Beloved brother of Peter Rooney and Michelle (Rooney) Stavracky. Loving son-in-law of Gordon and Wendy Minnes. Fondly loved and remembered by sisters and brothers in-law, Trisha, Dave, Ann and Bob, Michael and Lynda. Cherished uncle of Ashley, Will, and Chase; Michael and Johnathan; Tom, James and Liane. Deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor), on Wednesday, November 23rd from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A memorial in celebration of Michael's life will be held in Ottawa on Thursday, November 24th, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael can be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.

Barry Steers

STEERS, Ian Barry Connell
It is with profound sadness that the family announces Barry's passing. He died peacefully at his home in London, ON, on Nov 20, 2011. Barry was surrounded by his immediate family. Husband of Martha Steers of over 59 years. Barry, missed by Sara (Bob), Greg (Anne) and Con (Sue) and seven grandchildren, Tamber (Jennifer), Claire, Ryan, Charlie, Sophia, Pilar and Gabriel, and great-grandchildren, Graydon and Arabella, his brother Kevin (Peggy) and sister, Mary and many relatives in Canada, Colombia and elsewhere. Predeceased by his parents, Connell and Kathleen Steers. From the comfort of his hometown, of London, Ontario, Barry grew to become as happy in the backstreets of Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo as in the hubs of New York City and Toronto. Of particular importance was the commitment and support of his wife Martha throughout his career. He joined the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in 1956, and during his career, was posted to Singapore, Greece, Israel and the Canadian Consulate in New York. Following a posting home to Ottawa, he served as Canadian Ambassador to Brazil from 1971 to 1976, as Canadian Consul General to New York from 1976 to 1979 and concurrently, as Commissioner to Bermuda. From 1981 to 1989, Barry was the Canadian Ambassador to Japan. Wherever Barry served, he was committed to Canada yet embraced the people and customs of the countries where he and Martha made their home.Each posting abroad enriched their lives and each city became a home. Among various achievements, he was awarded the Public Service Award of Outstanding Achievement (The Prime Minister's Award) and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Western Ontario, his and Martha's Alma Mater. Following a distinguished career in the Civil Service, Barry became an advisor to many companies and served as a Board Member of London Life, CP Hotels (Fairmont), Canadian Pacific Airways, Gendis Corporation, Manalta Coal and International Bank of Japan, Mizuho, Canada among others. Barry also participated in various public organizations and charities, that included serving as Trustee of the Royal Ontario Museum, Trustee of the Canadian Opera Company, and of particular importance, a Board Member of the Gatineau Fish and Game Club, adjacent to his and Marthas cottage in Quebec, long the familys point of reference. Barry was a wonderful husband and a guiding light to his children, grandchildren and the many others he touched in his long and compassionate life. While he will be missed, his presence is so strong that it will endure throughout the rest of our lives. We loved him, love him and will miss him. The family would like to thank the support and services of Medical Priorities of London, ON that helped Barry and Martha through these last difficult months. Visitors will be received at the John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michaels' Catholic Church, 511 Cheapside Street on Thursday morning, November 24, 2011 at 10 a.m. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Prayers Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. A luncheon reception will follow interment at the London Club - 177 Queens Avenue, In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to- the Barry C. Steers scholarship fund at Foundation Western, The University of Western Ontario - Westminster Hall, Suite 110, London, ON N6A 3K7

Hans Himmelsbach: RIP

This article of nearly a year ago just caught the attention of an attentive Amigo. Hans' passing is news to most of us, I think. - jl

Canadian diplomat's grave moved in Turkey after Muslim complaints

National Post 15 December 2010
By Tamsin McMahon

The remains of a Canadian diplomat buried in Turkey were reportedly forcibly removed from a local cemetery after a prominent Muslim family said they weren’t comfortable praying next to a Christian grave.
Hans-Joachim Himmelsbach, 65, a retired trade commissioner from Vancouver who was living in Turkey, died about three weeks ago after suffering a blood clot to his brain while he was recovering from a throat operation, his stepfather, Heinz Koletzko, said in an interview.
Mr. Himmelsbach was buried in a Christian ceremony at a local cemetery in Bodrum, a tourist resort community on Turkey’s south Aegean coast. Mr. Himmelsbach’s family obtained permission from the municipality for a priest to perform the ceremony, Mr. Koletzko said, as is required in Turkey for religious groups not officially recognized by the state.
But his wife, Ilknur Himmelsbach, a Turkish citizen, told the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review that Mr. Himmelsbach’s grave was recently moved against her wishes to a remote area of the cemetery at the request of a local Muslim businessman who felt Mr. Himmelsbach was buried too close to the family plot (...)

More here: http://www.didimtoday.com/national/resorts/1301-what-a-shame.html

"Show us the money", says Hague

Former trade officer and Private Eye reader, Ian Wood, alerts us to a recent article.

"Foreign Secretary William Hague's real mission at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is overseeing the transformation of Britain's overseas embassies and consulates into little more than sales offices for UK companies who need help to compete abroad. Sound familiar?

I quote:

     The game was given away at a recent board meeting of Trade and Investments,

     the business promotion body run jointly by the FCO and the Business, Innovation

     and Skills Department.

     

     Discussing a new "commercial task force", the FCO Director-General, Europe

     and Globalisation, reported that under the new FCO internal business plan, the

     entire FCO asset (sic) would be deployed in support of commercial work. The whole 

     of the Foreign Office, in other words, will be directed primarily at winning

     contracts for British business.

    

Fittingly, the piece ends with the Private Eye comment: "Sod global harmony, show us

the money".

 

All very heartening if true. Where is DFAIT in this debate?"

--------------------

Thanks, Ian. I can only add: What took them so long? Brussels has assumed responsibility for every other function that used to justify their expensive network of diplomatic missions. - jl

Movember - Ed Gorn goes all out

Listen up, people.

Time to help someone who is making an effort to raise money for a worthy cause.

What's Ed doing? Not shaving his upper lip.

I know, I know. It sounds like rewarding slovenly behaviour on the part of someone who is probably prone to let himself go anyway. But, that is not our Ed. He is making an effort not to shave!

So follow his link, and pitch in.

http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1378404

For the record, here is Ed 'before'. We'll try to get an 'after' to see how well he does. Mousey or magnificent, Ed's effort is worthy of our support.

 and here's 'after'. Pretty good. Takes a lot out of you, apparently. Ed raised more than $1700, about one-quarter of it from Amigos. Well done, you lot.

Cantata Singers Concert - Oct 16

Hi all,

Here’s some info about the first Cantata Singers concert of the season. This is an all Russian music concert which we’re doing together with Montreal's St. Lawrence Choir in both Ottawa and Montreal. The Ottawa concert is October 16 at 4 pm in St. Joseph's church 174 Wilbrod Street. There's a link in the information to a video of one number from the Rachmaninoff "Vespers" that the choirs recorded this past summer. It will give you a taste of what you’ll be hearing on the 16^th.

If you’d to order tickets from me, just get in touch (PLUS it’s $5 off if you get tickets in advance). And, there’s also still time to order the 3 concert season ticket packages.

Cathy (Patton)

We would like to invite you to our first concert of the season: Russian Voices. This concert will feature the All-night Vigil by Sergei Rachmaninoff, directed by Michael Zaugg. Known simply as the ‘Vespers’, this monumental work is a favourite of performers and audiences alike. The St. Lawrence Choir will join us from Montreal, creating a choral force of over 100 singers for a powerful rendition of Russian-Orthodox repertoire, a...lso including a cappella works by Hurko, Kalinnikov, Titov, Ippolitov-Ivanov, and Sheremetev.  Join us Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church (174 Wilbrod Ave.). There will also be a performance in Montreal on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 8 p.m at Immaculate Conception Church (see www.choeur.qc.ca for more information on the Montreal concert). Tickets: Adult: $25 - $5 discount on advance purchase Senior: $20 - $5 discount on advance purchase Student: $10 Group rates available. NEW: Purchase your tickets online at www.cantatasingersottawa.ca! Tickets are also available at The Leading Note, Compact Music, all CD Warehouse stores, or can be purchased directly from choir members. For more information call the Cantata Singers at             613-798-7113       or visit www.cantatasingersottawa.ca.

More HOM Appointments

Diplomatic Appointments

(No. 278 - September 30, 2011 - 2 p.m. ET) Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Heather Cruden becomes High Commissioner to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Chantal de Varennes becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

David Drake becomes Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Weldon Epp becomes Consul General in Guangzhou (People’s Republic of China).

Jean-Carol Pelletier becomes Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lisa Stadelbauer becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe, with concurrent accreditation as High Commissioner to the Republic of Botswana.

Maddick Britton Views

David Anido: RIP

Dr. David George Hadcock Anido - 09/04/2011

Dr. David George Hadcock Anido passed away peacefully at home in Ottawa on August 31st, 2011, at the age of 65. He was much loved by his wife Jane, their two daughters Elizabeth and Alexandra, whom he adored, his sons-in-law Greg and Daniel, and grandchildren Zara, Hana and Jacob. He will also be dearly missed by his brother Philip, sister-in-law Diane, and niece and nephews Helene, Edward and Charles. David was born in England on 5 June 1946. Before his second birthday, he set sail with his parents, the Reverend John and Barbara Anido to spent his early years on Quebec’s north shore. Rev. John served as the Anglican priest in Harrington Harbour and Mutton Bay. In 1952 with his new brother, Philip, David returned to Canterbury where he was a top junior scholar at St Edmund's School. After five years in England, the family returned to Canada where David attended Bishop’s College School (1957-1964) and Bishop’s University (1964-1967). He excelled as a scholar, was a devoted son, a wonderful brother, and a great friend and joyful mentor to many. As a summer student, David served with appropriate fierce pride at as a lowly bandsman and lofty ensign in the Old Fort Henry Guard, he also spent time working at Expo 67. In recognition of his distinguished scholarship and ever willing commitment to the university life and community, as a leading actor in major plays and an award winning inter-varsity debater, Dave won the highest recognition at Bishop’s University, the Golden Miter Award. At 21, David moved on to Simon Fraser University to earn an honours first Masters of Arts Degree. His acclaimed thesis was written on the Theatre of the Absurd and with it he won a Commonwealth Scholarship to write his PhD at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Before he was 26, David had won two more precious prizes, the lustrous First Class PhD, and the most-treasured, loved at first sight and forever, Jane. They married in May 1973 and set off for Australia to start their life together. There he earned his pilot's license and managed theatre company tours across New South Wales, but the pull of Canada was ever present and in 1974, David and Jane set up home in Ottawa. Here their life together blossomed. David began his career first with the Canada Council and then with Foreign Affairs. Postings in Rome and Tokyo were his career highlights. Service to his Church, The School of Dance, the Canadian Mediterranean Institute, and the Canadian War Museum, are witness to his perpetual energy, broad interests, and devotion to his community. Above all David was a good and loyal friend to many all over the world. In retirement, his library and his quest for learning were David`s second love. His first was and is his family, Jane, Alexandra with husband Greg, Elizabeth with husband Daniel and the treasures they have brought to him, his grandchildren Zara, Hana and Jacob who are are his eternal love. He was a loving husband, daddy, brother, uncle, godfather, pilot, sailor, explorer, hang glider, skydiver, canoeist, actor, sheep shearer, Chairman of various committees and Boards. David played the  didgeridoo, bugle and Taiko drums – especially as riotous entertainment  at the end of a dinner party. He could quote rafts of Shakespeare, he  read voraciously, including the great philosophers and poets and political  and military history, he was a joker, debater, teacher and storyteller  with a booming voice and a grand passion for seeing humour and  absurdity where you’d least expect to find them. David was simply  larger than life. We will miss him in our lives, but our memories  are vivid, colourful, dear and rich. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O’Connor) on Tuesday, September 6 from 5-8 pm. The Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday September 7th, at 11am.

Sign Up for the Maddick Britton Cup

Sunday September 11, 2011 at 1200 hrs for the 30th "annual" golf competition (and dinner afterwards) between the trade stream and the POLEC stream at the Larrimac Golf Club in Chelsea QC. 


Including all taxes and gratuities costs are: $30 for 18 holes of golf, $36 for the roast beef dinner and $15 per person if you want a motorized cart.  


The trade captain is Don Wismer, his e-mail address is DonWismer@rogers.com and David Stockwell stockwelldavid@yahoo.ca will captain their opponents. If you would like to play, play and dine or just join the players for the dinner after the golf let your captain know.




Le dimanche, 11 septembre 2011 à 12h00. Il s'agit de la 30ème compétition de golf "annuel" (ainsi qu'un dîner par la suite) entre la filière commerciale et la filière politique/économique au Club de golf Larrimac à Chelsea, Québec. 


Les coûts seront de 30 $ pour 18 trous de golf, 36 $ pour le dîner de rôti de bœuf et 15 $ par personne si vous désirez une voiturette motorisée. Ces coûts comprennent toutes les taxes ainsi que les pourboires.

Le capitaine de l'équipe du commerce est Don Wismer. Son adresse de courriel est DonWismer@rogers.com.  David Stockwell (stockwelldavid@yahoo.ca) sera le capitaine des adversaires. Si vous souhaitez jouer, jouer et dîner, ou bien tout simplement se joindre au groupe pour le dîner après le golf, prière de signaler votre intention     à votre capitaine.

Fed Retirees Assn Seeks Researchers

The National Office of FSNA is looking for two bilingual research officers.

Details about these positions are posted on the Careers page of our Web site:

http://www.fsna.com/careers.htm

Tom Greenwood: RIP

Thomas Greenwood
GREENWOOD, Thomas Duncan Beloved husband of Maha Greenwood (nee El-Farr) for over 28 years. Loving father of Nancy. Dear brother of Charles Greenwood (Dalis). Son of the late George and Nancy Greenwood. Thomas will be forever remembered by his extended family, as well as friends. Trade Commissioner for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for over 30 years. The family would like to thank the medical staff, especially the oncology team and their nurses at the Ottawa General Hospital for their compassion and care. Family and friends are invited to visit at the St. Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road (at Aviation Parkway) Saturday and Sunday from 3 - 6 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Melkite Church 1161 North River Road, Ottawa Monday, August 29th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation or to Sts. Peter and Paul's Church.

HOM Appointments (continued)

Diplomatic Appointments

(No. 229 - August 15, 2011 - 2 p.m. ET) John Baird, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Yves Brodeur becomes Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council (NATO), in Brussels.

Gordon Campbell becomes High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Sanjeev Chowdhury becomes Consul General in Rio de Janeiro (Federative Republic of Brazil).

Glenn V. Davidson becomes Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Elissa Golberg becomes Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Office of the United Nations at Geneva and to the United Nations Conference on Disarmament, in Geneva.

Benoît-Pierre Laramée becomes High Commissioner to the Republic of Cameroon.

Gary Luton becomes Ambassador to the State of Qatar.

Guillermo Rishchynski becomes Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, in New York City.

Ivan Roberts becomes Ambassador to Burkina Faso.

Mario Ste-Marie becomes Consul General in Sydney (Australia).

Roman Waschuk becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, with concurrent accreditation to Montenegro and to the Republic of Macedonia.

John and Doris Lancaster

A belated notice. Lancaster, Doris and John
LANCASTER, Doris Rosalind & LANCASTER, John Evan Paterson Doris Rosalind Lancaster passed away peacefully on July 9, 2011, at age 93. Born in Toronto Ontario, Doris worked as an occupational therapist during the Second World War and then travelled the world with her husband John Evan Paterson Lancaster and was an integral part of his career as a Canadian diplomat. John passed away at age 91 on October 5th, 2008. John served for four years as a Lieutenant on the North Atlantic in the Canadian Navy during WW2. They will be lovingly remembered by their daughter Antonia Lancaster and her partner Larry Reid. The family is grateful for the loving care given to both by the people of the Perley Rideau. A memorial service will be held to celebrate both John and Doris' life on Thursday, August 11, 1:30 p.m., at Lupton Hall, The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, 1750 Russell Rd, Ottawa. Doris & John, goodbye, we miss you both...

HOM Appointments -- 2011

Minister John Baird recently announced the following diplomatic appointments:

Sylvia Cesaratto becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Panama.

David Chatterson becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

Geneviève des Rivières becomes Ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

David Devine becomes High Commissioner to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Douglas George becomes Ambassador to the State of Kuwait.

Heidi Kutz becomes Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic.

Troy Lulashnyk becomes Ambassador to Ukraine.

Tim Martin becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia.

Robert William Peck becomes Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic and High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus.

H. David Plunkett becomes Ambassador to the European Union.

Hugues Réal Rousseau becomes Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala.

Rob Mackenzie Retirement Symposium - August 4, Heart & Crown

I am winding down my 3 year Raleigh assignment this month and I have applied for early retirement. I think my request will be accepted despite having only joined the federal government with the Trade Commissioner class of June 1973. We were told back in those days that we might be asked to spend half of our career outside of Canada. I graduated from the Ottawa training year then duty stations followed in San Juan, Chicago*, Prague, Ottawa, London, Buffalo, Ottawa, Beijing, Shanghai, Ottawa and now Raleigh. 28 years "abroad" and 10 at HQ. I don't think anyone needs me in Ottawa for 18 years to balance the equation. (Sorry for the digression.)

I am told that several of you might want to buy yourselves (and me) a drink to celebrate that I won't be trying to hang around at Pearson for 18 additional years. Instead count on me to join (or maybe create) the St. Catharines chapter of the FPP (Federal Pension Panthers).

The Black Rose Pub at the Heart and Crown in the market has been booked and we would welcome the chance to tip a glass with old comrades and friends.

Thursday 04 August from 3pm on.........

Heart and Crown // Black Rose Pub // Clarence Street, Ottawa

See you then I hope. Rob Mackenzie

Gary Scott bids adieu

Dear All:

Having read a ton of these messages over my 39+ years, I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Friday, July 15 will be my last day in the office. The years have gone far too quickly but it's been a lot of fun along the way. In effect, I've had the privilege of two careers--one as a Trade Commissioner in places like Nairobi, Cairo, Helsinki, Chicago and Rome--and one in security where I've been ensconced for the last seven years. Both have been highly enjoyable but, believe you me, they are truly different.

Je me rappelle bien ma première réunion d'équipe ici à CSR - je n'avais pratiquement aucune idée de ce qui fut discuté (je me souviens bien du moment où je me suis demandé: c'est quoi un SL 24????) Mais ensemble, nous avons réussi à faire en sorte que nos gens et nos missions soient sains et saufs. Vous me manquerez beaucoup mais ce n'est qu'un au revoir...

I've learned a lot, mostly due to the people I've worked with and hopefully have been able to impart some of that knowledge to others. A big thank you is due to those who guided and trained me (especially our hardworking and patient LES) as I came new to each job along the way--we worked hard but had some fun through it all.

No great words of wisdom to impart, just a fond farewell as I rotate once again to a new beginning.

Best to each of you et au revoir,

Gary.

Gary P. Scott
Director/Directeur
Security Operations and Personal Safety Division (CSR)
Direction des opérations de la sécurité et
de la protection du personnel (CSR)
e-mail address: gary.scott@international.gc.ca

DFAIT a Pain in the Posterior?

Lorne Gunter, NP, May 18 wrote:

Moving John Baird to Foreign Affairs means, more than anything, that Mr. Harper sees that department as a pain in the posterior. Mr. Baird is a fixer. Wherever there is trouble in government, he goes in to root out the deadwood and turn the department around to the government’s way of thinking. He did this for Mike Harris when he was part of the Ontario Tory government in the 1990s and he has done it since 2006 for Mr. Harper. Does his appointment signal a foreign policy shift for Canada? Probably not. Rather, it likely means that troublesome diplomats and bureaucrats who have obstructed the government’s initiatives for the past five years will soon find themselves in charge of federal office supplies north of the Arctic Circle.

Steyn on Diplomatic Reportage

Your Tax Dollars at Wik May 13, 2011 12:54 P.M. By Mark Steyn Now that Wikileaks has leaked all the shocking surprise stuff (the Saudis are duplicitous snakes! Berlusconi has an eye for the ladies! the Pope is Catholic!) they’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel. The other day I myself turned up in their latest hold-the-foot-of-page-37 stunning revelation. In a cable to the State Department from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, some diplomat named Jacobson explains Canada’s free speech battles. ---- Even if (unlike yours truly) you’ve no interest in the subject of the cable, it’s a fascinating glimpse of the level of expertise you get from America’s lavishly remunerated foreign service. Almost every single fact in that paragraph is wrong... Read it all here.

Noni Anthony: RIP

Those who came through ITC and who recall Frank Petrie's shop will certainly recall Noni Anthony.

ANTHONY, M. Anona "Noni" Peacefully, at home on Friday, May 6, 2011. Beloved wife, dearest friend and soul mate of Jack Anthony. Dear sister of Patricia Hillman, Wayne Luciano and the late Andy and Carl. Cherished aunt of several nieces and nephews. Noni will be fondly remembered by Suzanne Luciano. Friends may pay respects at Kelly Funeral Home, 2313 Carling Avenue (west of Carlingwood) Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Monday to St. Anthonys Church for Mass of Christian Funeral at 11:30 a.m. Private interment. In Memoriam donations to Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society appreciated. www.kellyfh.ca

Annual International Trade Luncheon -- June 15

The 2011 Annual International Trade Luncheon will be held at the National Arts Centre's Rooftop Terrace Tent in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, from 11:30 to 14:00. Come early to network with colleagues before the seating for the lunch begins at 12:15 p.m.

This year’s event will feature a 3-course plated lunch, fantastic panoramic views of Parliament Hill and the great company of friends – old and new. You are invited to this annual celebration of our organization. Also, the first recipient of the Ken Sunquist Award for Service Excellence in International Trade will be announced at the Luncheon.

Tickets are $40 – cash or cheque (only) – and must be purchased in advance. A cash bar will be available. The last day to buy tickets is Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Tickets are non-refundable. 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 purchased no later than June 8.

It has come to this -- meta-activism

Excerpt from an analysis of discourse on gender in the WHO's Midterm Review. There will be rules for making rules.

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"Overall there is the same reflection of gender issues in the MTR [midterm review], with 10 out of 27 speeches making one or more reference to gender. In total, sixteen references were included in the speeches, of which nine referred to differential or specific health needs/outcomes of women and/or men. There was one reference to gender equality, and two references to women’s rights, suggesting that senior manager speeches are not focusing on gender equality as a rights issue, but on differential health outcomes as a “technical” issue. WHO could set as an intermediate target that at least 50 % of senior manager speeches include at least one reference to gender issues."

Dave Shaw: RIP

A long-term DFAIT CO, Dave will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Obit is here.

Visitation

May 2, 2011 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home

1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1A6 | 613-737-7900

Driving Directions

Memorial Service

May 2, 2011 | 2:00pm

McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home

1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 1A6 | 613-737-7900