from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 9:27 PM
subject Justin Trudeau veut raviver la confiance des Canadiens; RCMP making ‘some progress’ in probe of deadly siege in Algeria
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Rose was up trying to get into our bed at 4:45, 5, 5:15, 5:30 and again at 6. By 6 I just let her stay in with us. What’s going on? Tonight I put her bed up on the stilts and was worried a bit about the height and the ladder, but she mastered the ladder after a few tries, and we read stories in it and she seemed excited about it but eventually wanted to sleep on the mattress underneath. Maybe it was because all her stuffed animals were down there? Or I had actually plugged in Ed’s nightlight? Who knows what drives a three-year old.
Today I went to S. Roberts to hang a light in her kitchen, then she too me to brunch at le Vieux Velo, then I drove her to the airport as she is visiting her grandmother in Delaware. Claudine had originally offered to take her but she was in a low patch today. She seems better now. We’re about to watch episode 3 of Borgen, that Danish political show similar perhaps to the West Wing (I never watched any of the West Wing).
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Feb 3, 2013 at 10:01 PM
subject PLC: nouveau débat sous forme de mini-entrevues; Postmedia News columnist’s whodunit explores the seamy side of power politics
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived weekend with my girls, Oaxacan chocolate, late-night wakeups, changing the lights in the dining room finally, changing the studio with the bedroom, adding the extension legs to Rose’s bed, cooking salmon in strawberries to no discernible effect (but the spices, lemon zest and garlic mixed with oil and thrown together with the Japanese pasta was delicious); in general nesting and getting the apartment ready for the imminent birth of our son.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 10:15 PM
subject Thomas Mulcair se blesse en tombant sur une plaque de glace; Health Canada report highlights concerns related to storage of controlled substances seized from drug labs
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday, another Tuesday, another 35mm projector breakdown (that was speedily repaired last night), and I survived another few episodes of Borgen. We are now at season 2, episode 3 or 4. How come the CBC doesn’t make such an intelligent political TV drama based on Canadian politics? Possibly because, minority governments notwithstanding, Canadian politics is perceived as somewhat dull, though you and I both know that there are some very intriguing characters involved. Robocalls are a hit, and the purchase of fighter plans already was subject of a Borgen episode, as was deciding to pull troops out of Afghanistan. If the CBC funding wasn’t so tight I’d say give it a whirl!
Last night Rose woke up at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and once more. She spent a good deal of time on our bedroom floor as we wouldn’t let her in the bed and she wouldn’t go back to hers. There was crying involved; it was not a peaceful nor restful evening.
Hung some new lights in the new bedroom. Tomorrow is Clo’s birthday and aside from her weekly doctor’s appointment, we are spending the day together: lunch and shopping. She already bought herself a cake; good thing, as I wouldn’t have thought of it.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:31 PM
subject Le chef du NPD n’appuie pas l’intention de Québec de remplacer l’ACDI; Controversial Senator Patrick Brazeau arrested, appears in court Friday
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived Claudine’s birthday. I had the day off so we went shopping and had lunch at a swank new restaurant on St. Laurent Bouillon Bilk. I had a scrumptious turkey confit poutine. Afterwards we checked out VOX and Formats at the 2-22, then some window-shopping at Style Labo. I bought a super-sturdy case for the iPhone 4S which work gave me to replace my Blackberry. Sorry Blackberry, the whole company is already on iPhones. The Blackberries don’t work so good with our contacts and calenders. My favourite App so far is the one that allows me to pay for parking spaces. Capped the night with a delicious chocolate cake and mint tea, and we’re about to watch another episode of Borgen. Tomorrow we go to IKEA but only after I zip down to work to hopefully repair a couple more films that flipped off the loopers and / or snapped at the splices.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 9:09 PM
subject Internet: Ottawa abandonne sa loi sur la surveillance; Questions raised about scope of student loan data breach
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Clo is still pregnant. Last night we survived Roses’ first vomiting session. We think it was either caused by the tomato she was munching on before supper or the mussels I added to the paella. Even though she didn’t eat the mussels they were in contact with the rice etc. and if she is allergic?) In any case, there was many sheets and pyjamas cleaning, Clo and Rose had a shower together, and surprisingly Rose did not seem at all traumatized, but rather fascinated with this thing called vomit : how it happens, where she was sick, what caused it (the tomato, to hear her tell it).
Anyway, I’m exhausted but survived as well another Monday. Walked Iliana and Lorna through the looping process again, this time with Rain as Martin took the looper for Recorder back to his shop to see if there is a problem with it; this film never stays put. We’re figuring out more and more about the projectors each week. By the end of the show we’ll be experts.
Off to watch the final episode of season 2 of Borgen. Then sleep, and hopefully Rose stays in bed all night. It’s still a bunk bed.
Here’s a hint as to the name of our baby boy: three-letter name of an artists who died in 2007. More hints to follow until he is born.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 10:16 PM
subject Libre-échange entre les É.-U. et l’UE: le Canada ne se sent pas bousculé; Harper brushes off calls for inquiry into violence against aboriginal women
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Claudine is still pregnant. And Rose is still acting up during the night. Last night she refused to go to sleep in her bed and spent the night in the living room on a blanket. She kept wandering into our room until well past 10pm and awoke again at 3:30 and threw a fit because we wouldn’t let her turn the lights on. What a night!
Today Recorder snapped and burned but I added a new film with Eric and we adjusted the rollers and the whole process is becoming easier for me. However, I will be on paternity leave very soon so hopefully Lorna and Iliana catch on to all the little tricks.
I went to see a trustee in bankruptcy this afternoon, leaving work early. I’m still undecided, but also don’t want years of potential future federal tax returns to go to my old student debt. Will wait for new info regarding limitations and judgements, also will talk to the collections agency to see what exactly they plan to do with the file if I don’t pay.
Don’t feel like writing more, am very, very tired.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 11:09 PM
subject F-35: les coûts pourraient entraîner une baisse des achats d’armes; Canada declares Mexico, Israel ‘safe,’ listing limits recourse for failed refugee claimants
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived Valentine’s Day. Still no baby. Went to Claudine’s weekly medical appointment with her. Dr. Lucy scraped the membranes. Still no baby. Went shopping at Jeans Jeans Jeans and bought 3 pairs and 2 shirts.
Also, I checked out my Equifax credit score. You won’t believe it but my score is 799! Here is what Equifax says about it : “Most lenders would consider your score excellent. Based on this score, you should be able to qualify for some of the lowest interest rates available and a wide variety of competitive credit offers should be available to you.”
Isn’t that crazy?
“Your credit score of 799 is better than 69% of Canadian consumers.”
Get outta town!
So all my student loans have currently passed the 6 or 7 years since last activity, same with collections, so are they…gone gone? What will happen if I tell the collections company that recently tracked me down about my student loan that I will neither declare bankruptcy nor pay them one red cent? Can it come back on my credit report? An interesting question to say the least.
So I think I am going to get TD to give me a credit card and line of credit so I can transfer the remaining amounts from my parents, about 3-grand. I also need to get my credit report from Transunion but their website is f**ked so i need to call them tomorrow. Also tomorrow (if we are not having a baby) I need to get my haircut and organize where the Papineau AGM will be held, as well as notify all my executive.
Also, can I just say that I find it absolutely ridiculous and symptomatic of this corrupt city that a full-fledged snow-removal operation is in effect while most of the snow has already melted?!?!?!
WTF Montreal!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 10:56 PM
subject Ottawa accusé de museler ses scientifiques; Why the Liberal Party of Canada has no time, none at all, for soul-searching
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Sorry I have not written in awhile; our son Sol was born on Saturday, he and Maman have been home from hospital since Monday, and we are adapting to life as a family of four. Rose is being a helpful big sister and strange enough her sleeping through the night is getting better. Of course, Sol is up to feed every 2-3 hours. He’s damn cute though so we don’t mind.
Now that I am on paternity leave I am working through a list of to-dos. Today I went to my bank and applied successfully for a credit card in my own damn name so I can finally transfer the balance from the secondary card from my Dad. Not bad for a guy almost o! turning forty. The collection agency called me again Monday and Tuesday but not today. Maybe they sense that I know they are bluffing. Tomorrow I am going to go to Corbeil and try to buy a dishwasher on a 1-year payment plan. Fun and exciting!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Feb 25, 2013 at 10:03 PM
subject Le sénateur Mike Duffy demeure mêlé à une controverse; Student loan writeoffs reach $540 million, with another 44,000 going unpaidà
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. We are still doing the newborn family bubble thing. After spending almost all last week with better sleep results the past couple nights Rose took a downturn and was periodically and difficult going down. Today I made some headway with the planning for the AGM for the Papineau Electoral District Association; I asked Jerry our treasurer to see if the restaurant we used last time would be available. Louis-Phillippe has been pushing me to choose a venue to the point where even Michel, our soon to be retired Vice-President, called me last night asking about it. I think I have to have official letters of invitation in the mail by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.
In other news, Clo is nominating Peter Flemming for the Sobey Art Award on behalf of Oboro, a prize that I am now too old to be eligible for. My Dear PM project is older than the Sobey Art Award itself.
Also, the headline about the writeoffs in student loans reminds me of my own defaulted loans. After a six or seven-year purgatory it seems that indeed, bad debts and closed accounts drop from ones credit history like a lemming off a cliff. My application to buy the dishwasher on credit was approved (though only through a Sears card, not a Sears Mastercard – they rejected me). This means I have all the credit I need, and will spend the next year paying off the dishwasher, paying down my VISA, and improving my credit score. The threats from the collection agency seem more and more empty.
And as the PQ government seems hell-bent on indexation to raise tuition in Quebec, I wonder about the sense of increasing tuition and thereby the amount of loans and thereby the amount of money written-off….Wouldn’t funding universities better, and keeping student debt low, actually help the economy? If I was to try to pay off my loans now, I would never, ever be able to buy a house. I would have no disposable income for the next eight years. Why should an education become a mortgage?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 9:23 PM
subject PLC: Martin Cauchon s’en prend à Justin Trudeau; Immigration adjudicators and federal judges at odds over question on migrant ship refugee claims
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Thanks a lot, Google, for deleting my whole entire letter all because I mistakenly reverted to the old compose format midway through.
Here is the whole text for that student loans article that appeared last night but in only one paragraph:
OTTAWA — The federal government is writing off another $231 million in unpaid student loans this year from more than 44,000 cases, meaning taxpayers are on the hook for more than half a billion in uncollected student debt over the past few years.
Supplementary spending estimates tabled Monday in the House of Commons by Treasury Board president Tony Clement call for an additional $231.2 million in the current 2012-13 fiscal year ending in March to write off 44,048 debts related to Canada Student Loans.
“Amounts being written off are debts for which all reasonable efforts to collect the amounts owed have been exhausted,” explains the 145-page supplementary spending estimates.
The new cash for 2012-13 is on top of nearly $312 million on the books from the 2011-12 fiscal year to cover unpaid Canada Student Loans from 98,448 debts dating back more than a decade.
Together, taxpayers are on the hook for more than $540 million over the past couple of years to cover uncollected student loan debt.
The mounting student loan write-offs come as the federal government is preparing to cut more than $5 billion in spending over the next few years as part of a sweeping expenditure review in last year’s budget.
However, the department has previously said that more than 98 per cent of the loans written off by the government are dropped because of the expiry of a six-year limitation period between when the borrower last acknowledged a loan and any legal activity by the Crown to recoup that debt.
Once this period has expired, the Crown no longer has the authority to collect the debt.
In an attempt to collect the debts before the government is legally barred from doing so, the Canada Revenue Agency will send monthly statements and collection letters, recoup income tax refunds and refer accounts to the Attorney General of Canada, which could potentially garnish wages or seize assets.
Approximately 87 per cent of all Canada Student Loans are repaid, the department has said.
All told, the federal government is seeking $1.5 billion in additional spending through the latest round of supplementary estimates to help pay for federal programs and services in the current fiscal year.
Nearly $250 million in extra funding will go to HRSDC in 2012-13 to cover off additional expenses from an increase in the rates and the anticipated number of beneficiaries receiving Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors.
(BY JASON FEKETE, POSTMEDIA NEWS FEBRUARY 26, 2013)
So what else had I said in my previous unsent letter? Something about it being odd to read about that 6-year limitation period in the news so very soon after digging for it myself in the fine print of the Canada Student Loans Act, and that I spent the day sorting through a bunch of my papers, a sort of bureaucratic studio cleanup. Oh, and Peter Flemming came over for lunch, but that was mostly to discuss Sobey Art Award stuff with Claudine. Sol is doing fine; he eats, he sleeps. Still sorting through sleeping difficulties with Rose. Tonight we switched the furniture in her room around.
On that tired and mildy exhausted note, I am off to bed.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 11:09 PM
subject Agents du Parlement bilingues à l’embauche: la loi adoptée; After two data losses, new HRSDC guidelines clamp down on use of mobile devices
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Rose slept all night in her bed and we had a Facetime call with my mom in the morning to tell her. We’re preferring Facetime to Skype. Continued to sort through papers and stabilize my monthly donations. I currently give $35 to Plan, $5 to Greenpeace, and now $10 to Équiterre. I dropped the Green Party down to $5 from $15. I think I’ll can Greenpeace altogether. Need to make room for monthly payments for the dishwasher. Hung out with Etienne in the afternoon, we drove down to pick Femke up from daycare just as the snowstorm began. Etienne drove to get some winter condition practice. Rose and Femke had a great playdate and we ordered Indian food.
In CPC news, Jerry received confirmation from the restaurant where we will be hosting the AGM, the Pizza Palais Mina on Jean-Talon. Here is the text of the letter I whipped up (copied from the outgoing president last year) :
Montréal
le mercredi 27 février 2013
OBJET: Convocation de l’assemblée générale annuelle de l’association
conservatrice du compté de Papineau
Bonjour,
Vous êtes cordialement invité(es) à prendre part à la prochaine assemblée générale annuelle de notre association de circonscription électorale qui aura lieu le mercredi 13 mars 2013 à 19h. La rencontre aura lieu au restaurant Pizza Palais Mina situé au 3594 rue Jean-Talon est. Il est important de confirmer le plus rapidement possible votre présence auprès de moi-même au 514-295-3048 ou par courriel dearpm@gmail.com.
Au plaisir de vous y rencontrer.
SUBJECT: Annual General Meeting for the Electoral District Association
of Papineau
Hello,
You are cordially invited to attend the next Annual General Meeting for our local riding association to be held Wednesday, March 13 2013 at 7pm at the Restaurant Pizza Mina located at 3594 Jean-Talon east. Please RSVP as soon as possible at 514-295-3048 or dearpm@gmail.com.
I look forward to meeting you.
Chris Lloyd
Président de l’association conservatrice du compté de Papineau
Louis-Philippe gave me the list of current members for Papineau: there are 27. Two of my four board members are no longer current members, and according to this list, neither am I, though I know I am good until this coming spring. Maybe I had better renew early?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 9:21 PM
subject Nomination de Porter dans un comité fédéral: Toews blâme l’opposition; Quebec New Democrat Claude Patry defects to Bloc over Clarity Act debate
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I am still alive. I am still alive. I am still alive.
I am still alive. I am still alive. I am still alive. I am still alive.
I am still alive. I am still alive. I am still alive. I am still alive.
We survived a hellish night where Rose awoke at 1:30 and didn’t go
back to sleep until almost 5. There were tantrums, screaming, hitting,
and yelling. She even ate a bowl of cereal. We figured afterwards that
mid-week visits with her BFF cause her too much excitement, but again
tonight she was hard to put down, and this after a whole day for us to
think of strategy and basically dedicate our evening to getting her to
sleep. We’re both exhausted.
In other news, I mailed the invitations to the EDA Papineau ACE
AGA-AGM. Do you think it is such a bad thing that I used the nearby
Tim Hortons as my return address? It is, after all, where we meet the
most often as a partial executive. Did I tell you that half the
executive are expired members? I believe I did.
Tonight I made vouchers for kisses, stories and water that Rose can
use throughout the night. We’ll put it into action tomorrow. Also
tonight we started her on a diry of her sleep routines where she gets
rewards (stickers) for properly eating, brushing her teeth, bathing,
sleeping all night in her bed.
Going to bed early; Mami et Papi en visite demain.
-chris
DEAR PM 