DEAR PM vol.16
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Dec 1, 2016 at 11:37 PM
subject CF-18: Ottawa retire une étude en contradiction avec sa décision; B.C. mother who drowned newborn son at home before taking university exam gets two years probation
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. And still awake, haha. I survived another day of moving stuff around in the vaults (or what could be called the tombs, where paintings and other artworks acquired by the NGC go to die). And tonight I went to see a studio space in the Glebe, part of a group called Studio Sixty-six, and I committed to taking it as of January 1 2017, $450 per month, to finally get the Everyday Goalie molds made for the eventual casting in bronze. It must be done. It will also be nice to have a studio, although it is a good 25-minute walk from here.
On top of the pipeline news, now there is electoral reform. You know I am pro PR – oddly enough, I thought your government was elected with a mandate to “make 2015 the last unfair election”, which is why I am shocked to hear you seem to be backtracking on it. Here is a media release I received today on the topic:
Today, Canadians saw first-hand how proportional representation can work for all Citizens. The Special Committee on Electoral Reform – a multi-partisan group of MPs who were selected in proportion to the votes their parties received – submitted an evidence-based, majority report that called for a strong system of Proportional Representation.
The all-party committee on electoral reform has stated that they heard overwhelming support from experts and Canadians on their cross Canada tour. This reinforces the findings from decades of research from around the world and of 13 previous electoral reform processes in Canada, including two thorough and impartial citizens assemblies.
However, in a shocking and profoundly disappointing move, the Liberal members of the ERRE held a secondary press conference where they essentially recommended that the government break its own election promise. Oddly, the Chair of the Committee suggested that the point of making election promises is not so much to actually fulfill them, but to ENGAGE people. This is a mind-bending and dangerous spin on what it means to make electoral promises.
What needs to be stressed is that there was a consensus on what the committee heard: that 88% of experts that expressed an opinion on electoral reform suggested proportional representation – not AV (ranked ballots in single-member ridings), not First-past-the-post.
While the ERRE did not recommend a particular proportional system in the majority report, the NDP and Greens put forth two made-in-Canada PR options based on the evidence they heard and they are willing to work with the government on a design. The base exists for satisfying the government’s electoral promise in good time for 2019.
As Nathan Cullen declared: “rarely have such extensive consultations on a subject been carried out.” Unfortunately, the turnout and passion of Canadians did not impress MP Ruby Sahota who added that the Liberals needed to see a lot more engagement but would not commit to goals or outcomes.
We wonder what magic bar of engagement is necessary to fulfill their promise and how does that measures up against other election promises?
When the Government launched its electoral reform platform preceding the election, they announced they would end first-past-the-post voting and make every vote count. That means Proportional Representation. Trudeau and many in his party said they were changing the system based on feedback from Canadians that the system is unfair and does not accurately reflect what voters say at the polls.
The Government now has all the evidence it needs. Now is time for Liberals to show leadership, rise above
partisan self interest and deliver on their promise, including introducing legislation within 18 months of the 2015 election to “Make Every Vote Count”, in time for the 2019 election.
Also (this me me again) I haven’t heard back from the BNL of MTL about getting paid for the tech work I did back in October. That money would certainly help with Christmas gifts or Everyday Goalie mold-making supplies.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Dec 2, 2016 at 6:32 PM
subject Oléoducs: Carr menace d’éventuels manifestants d’intervention armée; Search and rescue aircraft announcement could take heat off Liberals on fighter jet controversy
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I’m back on the bus, getting close to home. I hope the kids aren’t upset I didn’t buy them toys this week, just brought home some more Ethafoam blocks. I need to find time this weekend to make a run of 20 screen prints for Tuck, research some more my mold-making supplies for purchase before the end of the month, research micro-dosing, and make an appointment with a TD financial advisor to make sure my investments aren’t going to any fossil-fuel companies. And ARG Christmas shopping what a stressor. How do you deal with it?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Dec 5, 2016 at 6:42 AM
subject Mulcair se porte à la défense des travailleurs guatémaltèques; The silent killer: Overdose victims often don’t even know they’ve consumed fentanyl
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived a rough weekend. My weekly absences from our quotidian family life is more affecting than previously thought. So now I’m back on the bus to Ottawa – which smells like really bad BO – wondering if I can reduce my schedule to 4 days or give notice to leave by Christmas. Weird having to make choices like this, when working full-time is really only to try to support a family, but if living apart makes it hard on the family then what is the point? At least the DAPL has been halted – for now. My T-shirts came in the mail last week. Do you know when and where I can get a Stop Kinder Morgan one?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Dec 6, 2016 at 10:47 PM
subject Trudeau veut sauvegarder et revitaliser les langues autochtones; ‘A victory for fairness’: Senators agree to allow more independents on committees
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived another day of work, dismantling and packing away a Dan Flavin, and moving things to and from a final acquisitions committee meeting. Also, I forgot to mention this yesterday morning, but I survived flu shots this weekend, and did manage to get those 20 prints done and put them on the bus last night. Worked out at the YMCA last night and tonight, ate with Julia and Greg as well. Watching bizarre TV programs such as Shameless and Modern Family and a bit of the Habs game tonight. Now in bed, watching footage of Gord Downie celebrated at the APFN, “Man who walks with stars”, celebrating the greatest day of his life, the greatest day of all our lives, the beginning of Reconciliation. You heard it; you were there.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Dec 7, 2016 at 11:37 PM
subject Course au Bloc québécois: Rhéal Fortin passe son tour; Supreme Court judge in legal battle over Montreal luxury condo project linked to Mafia
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived another day of work, today moving paint samples around as upper management had still not decided on some paint colours and time is running out, if they want to have those galleries ready for spring/summer 2017. I survived Dr. Sirard, the narcissistic asshole who put so many families through hell by accusing them of abusing their children. He apparently committed suicide yesterday. I survived working out at the Y again, then had supper at a friend’s house, then missed a bus and walked home. I’m enjoying this app called Flux, which automatically counteracts the blue light emitted from computer screens. Supposedly this helps with sleep. Goodnight!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 11:39 PM
subject L’ex-statisticien en chef du Canada critique le projet de loi libéral; Joe Biden calls for Trudeau to be world leader through time of deep uncertainty
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived the tree lighting at the NGC tonight. Also, surprisingly, Jay Isaac’s National Gallery of Canada Instagram account was re-instated, hooray! And this is what I wrote back to the CPC tonight:
well, the oil and gas industry receives more than $3-billion in subsidies per year, so I hardly see how complaining about the CBC has any relevance.
On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 5:35 PM, Peter Van Loan <info@conservative.ca> wrote: Watched the hockey game tonight, Habs beating Devils 5-2. Good game.
Wrapped gifts for Sol and Rose and dropped them off for the Kids’ Xmas party Monday night. Chickened out and stopped at Rideau Centre to get them each little Lego kits for the return to Montreal tomorrow. I’m catching the bus early, right after the Tech Services Department Xmas lunch, at 3:30. SWendt is helping Clo get our Xmas tree from Rose’s school and we’ll decorate tomorrow night. I want to micro dose or more.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Dec 12, 2016 at 10:36 AM
subject Projet de loi C-29: des sénateurs dénoncent l’offre «ridicule» d’Ottawa; Transgender Ugandan swimmer, once arrested and persecuted at home, attains refugee status in Canada
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived the NGC tech services Xmas lunch at the Smoque Shack, then caught a rife back to Montreal with Patrick. Had a fun and relaxing weekend, mostly hung with the kids, a little grocery shopping, washed some laundry, etc. No big parties for us, well not me anyway, Clo and Sarah went to another party at Michel’s on Friday night but it wasn’t a big bash, not like Halloween. Took the kids to see Trolls on Sunday, as per usual Sol left after 10 minutes to play in the arcade. Clo and I binge-watched almost all of season 2 of Rectify on Netflix. I did half the routine with the kids this morning, even walking Rose to school and Sol to daycare. There is a fairly heavy snowfall at the moment and so driving will probably be tricky; we modified our planned departure from 3pm to 2pm, so we can hopefully arrive on time for the Children’s Xmas party tonight at the NGC for 5:30-6pm. I hope the kids have fun! Does Parliament have a Kids’ Xmas party?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Dec 13, 2016 at 10:47 PM
subject PCC: Bernier convaincu que les unilingues abandonneront la course; Senate threatens to block ‘deeply flawed’ bill to remove gender discrimination from Indian Act
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived the drive to Ottawa in a snowstorm, arriving on time for the Children’s Party, Santa’s visit, pizza, cookies, mulled wine and rides around the atrium in “le petit train du nord”. We skept over at Clo’s folks’ but the kids of course were in bed with us so no-one slept well, certainly not me, nor Sol who was up almost every hour with some issue or another (too hot, too cold, thirsty, more light, etc.). Gilles drove me to work and we were stuck in commuter traffic for an hour. Work was fun, I was helping to install floorboards in the Croscup room, which is an entire painted room interior brought by the NGC in 1976 from the original location in Karsdale, NS. The murals were made around 1846-48 by an unknown, untrained painter, and cause me to wonder what, if anything, could happen to some of my paintings floating around out in the world, as poorly documented as they are. Anyway I’m trying to get some photos together for printing or making into books and am so tired from lack of sleep so may just got to bed now (I’m in bed) but try to be asleep before 11. Clo drove the kids home earlier today and Suzie had them in bed by 7:45. We’ll hopefully Facetime while I walk to work tomorrow. Do you ever feel that your work takes you away too much from your family? Oh I received another rejection today, from Paved, to add to the rejection from Truck earlier this month. At least my cheque from the BNL arrived, so I don’t have to publicly shame the organization for being so disorganized.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 11:56 PM
subject Transferts en santé: Rona Ambrose d’accord avec les libéraux; Tensions high at Miss World pageant as Canadian critical of China gets chance to compete
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived work, which was fun as I was placed with Frank and Kevin to help install the Brian Jungen whale sculptures, titled Vienna and Shapeshifter. The skeletal whale shapes are derived solely from pieces of white plastic lawn chairs. We only managed to hang Vienna, and even that without its’ two side fins. After work Nicole and I went to Axeneo7 together for a type of fundraiser-networking-local artisans and restauranteurs event called Gatinoël, which was a lot of fun but not too much fun. Ran into more folks I know from around the community and from work, and split a cab back home after a surprise snowstorm. Now I’m too tired to work on xmas photo books or even watch Netflix just want to sleep. WTF is happening in Aleppo.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Dec 15, 2016 at 10:57 PM
subject TOttawa interdit l’amiante au Canada d’ici 2018; Juror in disturbing trial of parents accused in baby’s scalding death commits suicide
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived an all-staff buffet breakfast in the Great Hall this morning, followed by a quarterly all-staff meeting, then lunch, then installing Vienna, then a PSAC-members xmas party at Brigid’s Well, then some shopping at the Rideau Centre for little trinkets for Rose and Sol, then a bus ride home because it is like minus a gazillion outside, then a bottle of wine and watching a couple episodes of Rectify with Julia and Greg, and now bed, and then packing and getting ready for a new way (for me, at least) of getting back to Montreal via AmigoExpress, a ride-share site.
Today Rose fell at school and cut her chin, there was blood and apparently she called Claudine afterwards and told her this: “Maman, je t’aime gros comme toute l’université.”
Pouvre chouette! -chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Dec 19, 2016 at 11:44 PM
subject Ambassadeur de Russie tué: un triste rappel, croient Trudeau et Dion; Two boys, 11 and 13, and their father dead in Edmonton-area murder-suicide: family member
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived the weekend in Montreal. Took a ride-share back on Friday via Amigo Express. Drove back to Ottawa this morning, made it to work on time.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 10:54 PM
subject Trump président: Trudeau prêt à tracer une ligne dans le sable; Slain Ottawa woman remembered as ‘calm, patient and kind,’ as community reels following killing of sisters
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived the drive back to Montreal, getting stuck yet again in the traffic snarl where the 40 meets the 15. I had a passenger via Amigo Express but I’ll tell you more tomorrow, right now I’m too tired to type. I made it to the Oboro Xmas party, had a quick bite but by 9 the kids were losing their shit they were so tired, so I bundled them up and drove them home, they weren’t asleep until past 10.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 10:53 PM
subject Pas de grands coûts d’aménagement de bureaux pour la plupart des ministres fédéraux;
Dear Justin,
I am still alive. I survived a day off, and after getting the kids off to school and daycare, and straightening up a bit, and returning library books, I visited the MAC to see the BNL. I quite liked it. It felt very spacious, well-ordered, composed, with some pretty exceptional works. I especially liked Michale Blume’s video on the death of capitalism. After a long visit (I had micro-dosed which seemed to give me energy and tire me out at the same time, yet also the focus to give to works I might otherwise pass by quickly). After the visit I picked up a final couple gifts for the kids, then grabbed some groveries, then a bite at Comptoir 21 before meeting Clo and Janine at Pullman’s. We drove home – I had the car all day – and relieved Suzie, who had picked the kids up and then had their own gift exchange, which was cute. She gave Sol a music box that plays Au clair de la lune, his favourite song, which he is playing right now, beside me in my bed, as he woke up about ten minutes ago. I could fall asleep if he keeps turning it.
-chris
DEAR PM 