from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Jun 3, 2012 at 9:05 PM
subject Stephen Harper est à Londres pour le Jubilé de diamant; Toronto police hunting for gunman in deadly Eaton Centre shooting
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Sorry to have been slacking. Work, Rose, the
casseroles, a CPC Papineau meeting and then our 5-year wedding
anniversary all kept me super-busy towards the end of the week and
throughout the weekend. Oh, and a new bar opening in our
neighbourhood, modelled on the German beer garden (it is even called
Alexandreplatz). It was Stacy’s birthday today and we were back at the
bar last night (Sarah W.’s mom came over to watch over Rose as she
slept). And Saturday we celebrated our 5 years of matrimony by going
to see Perhaps in 100 Years, which was even better seven years later.
Here are 2 letters I wrote to Paul when Jacob and company came through
Saint John back in 2005 (in case you didn’t get the memo or read that
year):
To: pm@pm.gc.ca
from: chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
date: Fri, Nov 4, 2005 at 11:30 AM
subject: Jobless rate falls to 6.6 per cent in October, from
September’s 6.7 per cent, Karla Homolka n’a pas violé ses conditions
de remise en liberté
Dear Paul,
It has been a busy few days. It all started a couple days ago with a
visit to CIBC to open a bank account for Third Space. Judy and I
almost lost our minds in that strange, dry, vacuous environment CIBC
refers to as an office. Poor Gloria, who was opening the account for
us, has to sit in a sterile grey and pre-fab fake wood environment
with only big advertisements for other CIBC products on her walls. No
plants. No posters. No art. No decorations. No clutter on desks or
cabinets. Absolutely nothing personal. Grey walls. Grey floors.
Fluorescent lighting. No lamps. They are gracious though in that they
actually ALLOW her 2 photographs of family. Oh how nice of them. Of
course it probably fulfils some other corporate objective, like that
their employees still retain the basic human ability to breed.
So the past few “dry runs” have been fun, not too crowded, we’re
learning the systems. It’s fun working with Jessica, she’s got a great
personality and I have no problems whatsoever with the close working
environment. We’ve been having an odd assortment of people; artists,
lawyers, politicians, young and older. It’s good to see the mix.
Yesterday I did an interview with CBC about the grant and of course
this morning it ran as a news item all focused on the awarding of the
grant despite our tardiness in applying and of course pushing the
whole Michelle Hooton involvement, ignoring that she’s been onside and
advocating for the gallery since the summer when she first saw it in
the roughest shape. But whatever, media and politics feed one another;
each needs their own particular spin.
Jacob and the smallwoodenshoe crew arrived yesterday afternoon and set
up quickly for their evening performance, which was under-attended but
apparently they enjoy performing for a smaller audience. I hung out
with them all afterwards as I was getting them set up in my bare
bones, completely empty apartment, and we talked about their
strategies and process, and now I’m looking forward to seeing the show
even more. Perhaps they would fit with the Inter-arts grant I’m
working on with Stefan in Ottawa to have a performance art festival in
the spring with a francophone twist; we talked a bit about
simultaneous translation, and even ways of acting through a sort of
‘lost in translation” scenario.
We talked also about how I can end this project. We all agree there
needs to be some sort of big finalé, like a private dinner between me
and you. We would both have to get loaded. It could come as some sort
of celebratory meeting after the budget for the Canada Council is
doubled. Sound good? We’d need to get the media onside and do the
thing full-out. I’ll think about it more before we start to push it.
I dared Jacob and Chad to go into the Tim Horton’s at the bottom of my
street and ask if they had WiFi and Americanos. They are then supposed
to throw an Upper Canadian Fit. I wish I could be there to film it.
Could use it as support material for the grant. Could this qualify as
“artists and community collaboration”?
Anyway, back to the grant-writing.
To: paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
date: Sat, Nov 5, 2005 at 2:40 PM
Cc: chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
subject: Sponsorship judge believed a witness he called unreliable and
unscrupulous, Harper promet un ménage complet à Ottawa dans la foulée
du rapport Gomery
Dear Paul,
Yesterday was a strange, strange day. After working on the grant for
most of the morning-and not accomplishing much-I took the
smallwoodenshoe gang on a little sight-seeing tour. We watched the
Reversing Falls at high tide for awhile. Then we grabbed some lunch in
the market and met the Premier, who was in town campaigning with
Michelle. Paul, Ame’s brother and the key driver for the crew, had a
lovely moment as he watched one of Bernard’s aides turn over single
issues of [here] to highlight the full-page ad of Michelle on the
back. The aide got through close to a dozen before he realized that he
could in fact turn the whole pile of newspapers upside down all at
once. Another small victory for efficiency. If you happen to see
Bernard at any point in the near future could you apologize to him for
me? I shook his hand with seafood chowder on mine, which probably
didn’t make for the most pleasant handshake ever. Unless he’s into
that sort of thing.
So the gang and I ate at Lemongrass and then prepared for the evening
performance, which was surprisingly sold-out. A full house. It is a
fun show, with maybe a few too many moments with nothing happening,
but overall quite entertaining. The flaming teabag trick is a treat,
as was their a cappella version of Paradise City, and Ame is a great
dancer. So was Cara, who wasn’t in the show but danced along to every
song while in her seat. She broke my haircutting record a few days
ago, by the way. Third haircut in a row by the same person; a first
for me. I think I actually had a self-obsessed moment later on and we
held a discussion on the state of my hair. Very weird.
So after the show I dumped a bit of the video recording on my computer
and then we went back to my new apartment to polish off the rest of
the beer, the last of my scotch, a bunch of pot and the wallpaper in
the bedroom. We didn’t drink or smoke the wallpaper, just pulled it
all down and then created a bit of a sound performance with it. This
followed my improv contact dance debut, which came about due to the
perfect comic timing of Paul’s recent girlfriend of two weeks. She
called him just as he was describing her as being a bit psycho. The
rest of us howled in laughter and made various crawling exits from the
room as he tried to maintain a straight conversation with her.
The crew were leaving early this morning for Montreal so I left them
by about 1 or 2, and then ran into Jeff on my way back to the
building, and he offered me a beer at Sebastian’s. His restaurant is
named after their cat, by the way. Anyway, you know me, one beer
basically led to a bunch of flavoured shooters whipped up by amazing
bartender Scott, as well as a very tasty espresso martini. I told them
beforehand that I was to be cut off after one martini so the night
didn’t end in violence or debauchery. I did have a very odd
conversation with a young accountant about his ties. I was trying to
convince him to wear a bow-tie. Why? I have no clue.
I took a cab back to the house, which is surprisingly and consistently
cheap; $10, from downtown (I’m making a point of never referring to
Downtown as Uptown, ever again, despite the marketing already in
place) to Peter and Judy’s house on the west side. Same distance in
bigger city? Easily double.I’ve become quite the chatty cathy lately
with my late nigh cab rides. Though at the moment I can’t for the life
of me recall what I’ve been talking about.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Jun 4, 2012 at 8:58 PM
subject Etobicoke-Centre : les conservateurs accusent les libéraux de vouloir «voler» l’élection; Murder fugitive Magnotta captured while Web surfing porn and his own press
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday. Ryoji arrived on site
today and seems pleased enough with the progress. We are a bit behind
in some areas (DATA.SCAN gear not arriving ’till Wednesday, more tech
problems with Line on G4, a bit behind on the plinths in G%, etc.
etc.). Luckily we received the crates from Tokyo today and so there
was some unpacking and prep work to do this afternoon. We ate at
Titanic and had to walk through the set for a film shoot, The Smurfs
2. Did you see Smurfs 1? Did it merit a sequel? Clo is packing boxes
so I will do the same. Our plan is one or two per night until moving
day.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 9:32 PM
subject L’opposition fustige les dépenses des ministres conservateurs; Packages containing human remains sent to two Vancouver schools
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. We tried to watch some of Venus transiting the sun
at Karen’s studio this evening, as she had turned it into a camera
obscura, but the sun was mostly obscured by clouds. Rose was not
terribly interested in the miniature sun and clouds and didn’t
particularly like the darkened studio. In the end, she had an
exhaustion / hunger crisis so we left. We ended up taking a cab home
as it was unexpectedly raining.
Work made me tense and angry and short-fused today.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 10:56 PM
subject Stephen Harper analyse la situation économique en Europe; Tory MP wants Canada to reconsider UN membership
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Work is exhausting lately, but we seem on target.
Had Rose tonight, Sarah W. met us in the park and came over for
supper. Only banged on casseroles a few minutes. Worked on Bovinities
Rorschach test-like images for a cows head icon for Robert’s book.
Sophie C. came over for a bit as well. I’m exhausted and need to go to
bed.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 10:07 PM
subject D’ex-conservateurs contestent les réformes environnementales fédérales; Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro denies election spending wrongdoing
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I mildly electrocuted myself while standing on a
ladder 15 feet in the air today. I’m OK. Stacy keeps telling me to be
careful, that I,m a dad now, and he’s right. Like perhaps I shouldn’t
have antagonized those two burly guys in the F-300 truck that nearly
ran me off St. Laurent yesterday (nor should I have spat in their
faces). But idiot drivers in this city make me angry! Traffic makes me
angry! Capitalism makes me angry! Jean Charest makes me angry! Bernie
Fucklestone and the F1 make me angry!
Things that make me happy : good art makes me happy. My wife and
daughter make me happy (except I stress about losing them, I believe
this is part of being a parent. You must relate).
The news makes me angry. I can’t listen / read any more. At least not
today. Today even Jacques Villeneuve makes me angry!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 11:01 PM
subject Le Bloc québécois dépose ses amendements à C-38; Quebec sues big tobacco for $60 billion, becomes fifth province to launch suit
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived a crazy day at work. I also survived a
crazy and intense downpour just as I was about to leave. I had to
leave my Bixi at work; I had kept it all day as I couldn’t find a spot
to park in the morning.
My brother and Jordyn came over for supper. Tamara’s dad had a stroke
a few days ago and is in hospital. They will stay with us for the
weekend. Rose and Jordyn had a blast playing, eating and having a bath
together. After pyjama and storytime the slumber party ended as Rose
was exhausted but Jordyn goes to bed later. I think she is still awake
even now. Clo is out, having had to work at a concert at Oboro and is
now having drinks with Sarah.
Oh, I won a ticket to see Radiohead next week. So did Stacy (the
tickets were in a draw at work). We’ll go together, but I need to find
a sitter.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 10:08 PM
subject Prisonniers afghans: le Canada a plié face à l’OTAN; Controversial refugee bill clears Commons
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday. I hear you were in town
for a surprise visit to some sort of economic forum. Me, I was at
work, finishing up a number of pesky details. We’re actually a tad
ahead at this point, though I did work over 9 hours yesterday, which
is not my favourite way to spend a Sunday.
Here’s a new letter from Facebook. It seems the minister of culture is
also an idiot:
Faites circuler :
“Ceci est un appel à tous les acteurs du milieu culturel afin de dire
haut et fort et d’une seule voix que la rhétorique de la peur dont use
le gouvernement pour justifier de l’usage de la force est dangereux,
indigne d’une société démocratique et extrêmement violent. Face aux
propos de la ministre de la culture, qui estimait que le carré rouge
est le symbole de la violence et de l’intimidation, nous nous devons
de combattre le mépris affiché et persistant de nos représentants
politiques vis-à-vis notre intelligence.
Nous attendons des milliers de signatures.
Le délai est court parce que le temps presse.
SVP, envoyez votre nom à lettrealaministre@gmail.com avant mercredi.
Nous compilerons les signatures et enverrons la lettre par courriel à
la ministre, à l’opposition, à QS ainsi qu’aux principaux quotidiens,
hebdomadaires et véhicules d’information pertinents.
—-
Madame Christine St-Pierre,
Ministère de la Culture, des Communicatons et de la Conditon féminine
225, Grande Allée Est Québec (Québec)
G1R 5G5
Madame la ministre,
C’est avec grand désarroi que nous avons pris connaissance des propos
que vous avez prononcés ce vendredi 8 juin, propos selon lesquels «
nous, on sait ce que ça veut dire le carré rouge, ça veut dire
l’intimidation, la violence, ça veut dire aussi le fait qu’on empêche
des gens d’aller étudier »1. Nous nous trouvons aujourd’hui dans
l’obligation de vous demander de présenter des excuses publiques pour
ces propos démagogiques qui tentent de discréditer la légitimité du
port du carré rouge et de réduire malhonnêtement le sens qui lui est
attaché, méprisant du coup le choix réfléchi et affirmé de très
nombreux membres de la communauté artistique québécoise.
Que la ligne de parti vous oblige à une certaine réserve, nous le
comprenons, mais que vous prêtiez si facilement votre ministère comme
tribune à ce type de propagande alors qu’il est chargé d’administrer
et de représenter les intérêts du milieu culturel québécois, nous
indigne profondément: vous n’êtes pas sans savoir que la grande
majorité des acteurs de ce milieu arborent fièrement le carré rouge.
Tout comme le Premier ministre se doit d’être le représentant des
intérêts de tout un peuple (chose qui, malheureusement, est
actuellement mise en doute au Québec), une ministre de la Culture ne
peut se permettre de mépriser les artistes et les travailleu(rs)ses
culturel(le)s qui fondent les raisons d’être de son ministère.
Si votre objectif, en stigmatisant la violence associée au mouvement
étudiant, est de vous faire du capital politique, nous tenons à vous
rappeler que ce genre de stratagème éveille ce qu’il y a de plus
boueux dans les consciences, et que de ne pas le savoir est indigne
d’une ministre de la Culture. Or ce ne sont pas les voix qui manquent
pour relever le sens et le niveau du débat que de toute évidence vous
travaillez à abaisser: ces voix constituent le terrain fertile de la
culture et viennent précisément de ce pan de la société qui oppose une
culture humaniste à cette culture d’entreprise qui violente la libre
pensée. Si le seul argument que vous décidez d’opposer à ce schisme
idéologique profond est le recours à la peur pour justifier la
nécessité du maintien de l’ordre, nous tenons à vous rappeler que ce
flirt est extrêmement dangereux, et que dresser les vieux épouvantails
de la peur au service de l’ordre rappelle de très mauvais souvenirs
d’une histoire pas si lointaine.
Il est plus que temps que vous et les membres de votre parti preniez
les responsabilités qui vous incombent en tant que représentants
politiques quand vous usez de tels moyens de propagande pour diviser
l’opinion publique, en stigmatisant le port du carré rouge comme un
geste soutenant la violence. Vous aimez « oublier » que ce mot qui
vous vient si fréquemment aux lèvres n’est pas incarné par les
centaines de milliers de personnes, étudiants et citoyens qui marchent
chaque soir dans nos rues, mais par un corps policier qui multiplie
honteusement les gestes de brutalité envers des manifestants
pacifiques. Vous aimez « oublier », aussi, que cette violence est
celle de vos mots menteurs et méprisants, de votre inaction et de
votre irrespect envers une part grandissante de notre population. Ce
glissement sémantique témoigne de votre condescendance vis-à-vis de
notre intelligence et du peu de respect que vous avez pour les raisons
profondes et réfléchies d’arborer ce bout de tissu rouge. Une ministre
de la Culture doit savoir faire preuve de discernement et ne pas rater
l’occasion d’élever le débat au-dessus de la mêlée. Ce ne fut
malheureusement pas le cas ce vendredi 8 juin et nous exigeons des
excuses pour ce faux pas qui tente de nous plonger dans une rhétorique
de la peur et dénigre par le fait même l’intelligence du milieu
culturel et de ses représentants, qu’ils portent ou non le carré
rouge. Nous ne pouvons consentir à cet abaissement du débat sur la
place publique et cautionner par notre silence vos propos
irrespectueux.
En espérant que vos mensonges cesseront rapidement de leurrer notre
population, nous signons tous, acteurs et actrices du milieu culturel
québécois.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Jun 15, 2012 at 12:03 AM
subject Projet de loi C-38: le marathon législatif est terminé; Den Tandt: He’s smart, he’s talented — but Justin Trudeau is not ready to redeem the Liberals
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sat, Jun 23, 2012 at 10:52 PM
subject Rencontre Harper-Mulroney: une bonne nouvelle, selon Marois; F-35s delivery won’t be complete before current fighters are retired: Documents
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive.
-chris
DEAR PM 