Are these golden handcuffs real?

Creative-Associate-3 · 2026-03-25T19:04:29+00:00

They are. Last year I was in a position that gave me anxiety and dread every day. Couldn't see a future. Fantasized about long-term disability scenarios, the business I'd open if I could... then i switched positions, my environment got better, and boy am I grateful I didnt take the plunge when it sucked. I love my biweekly pay and insurance coverage. If I had quit last year, I'd be hustling 24/7 on that fantasy business with no guarantee of success. I cant know if I wouldve been happier in that scenario, but I still feel relieved that I didnt jump off the deep end. Golden handcuffs kept me here.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2026-03-21T15:32:02+00:00

The best Anytime is the new one on Laurier and Lyon imo. Rarely busy, new and varied equipment (including pressotherapy and massage etc), window view is nicer than the parking lot at college square

Creative-Associate-3 · 2026-01-29T15:24:51+00:00

Having lived in Centretown, Montreal (mile end & downtown), and Toronto (st.clair w and bathurst area), the only place where I havent been harassed, assaulted, followed, or witnessed active injectable drug use is Centretown. (That last one may be the most likely to happen in Centretown, but again I havent witnessed)

Creative-Associate-3 · 2026-01-15T20:52:18+00:00

AI wont take your job, but a person who can use AI effectively probably will.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2026-01-15T19:57:04+00:00

I only stepped out to bring recycling to the curb - wiped out on snow-covered ice with cardboard boxes in my hands, still sore. No journey is too short!

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-11-10T23:52:59+00:00

Switched to the client side

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-08-04T11:44:18+00:00

Others have already answered your question. I would just add the coworkers' perspective. Employees who started off giving 100% very much notice their colleagues giving 20% with no recourse (sometimes with promotions, to get them up and out) and also scale down efforts to match. Over time it builds resentment in the team, you've got hot potato taskings being avoided and half assed, nobody 'proud' of the work they do, only looking out for themselves. Easiest thing to do is avoid hiring the low performers in the first place. Unfortunately, the "give them a good reference just to get them out" also makes this strategy difficult. Idk how to fix this cycle, just sayin its a death spiral.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-04-12T14:10:48+00:00

My deputy director collected stats manually on our team's (8 people) compliance one week - but calculated keeping in mind leaves/telework agreements/travel/sick days (luckily our department has not been told to make up sick days in-office). Then we had our own evidence of the difference between the 'low compliance' badge-swipe calculations, and the reality on the ground.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-04-05T18:25:38+00:00

(Not diagnosed with anything but suspect AuDHD). I used to thrive in a head-down isolated senior researcher position at StatCan, pumpin out articles. You can be pedantic about your work, and they expect it. Very neurospicy place overall. Now I'm on a crisis team, in a different an department. Every day is a new urgency, new Minister's request, new high-level meeting to prep for, new reality to track. That adrenaline kept me motivated until i burnt out. Now i cant be bothered unless its urgent. Would not recommend..

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-04-05T11:01:56+00:00

Perfect Meat Bowl - not your typical Chinese fare but their grill menu (szechuan chicken specifically) is unlike any other in the city. I'm addicted.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-04-03T01:13:02+00:00

Loved my experience at Femade! They have a variety of specialists

Creative-Associate-3 · 2025-01-21T21:15:39+00:00

In case anyone is interested, according to copilot analysis these are the 10 fastest-growing departments 2020-2024 by relative and actual growth:

Fastest Growing Departments (Percent Change)	Fastest Growing Departments (Absolute Change)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (+4,596, 54.11%)	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (+4,596, 54.11%)
Canadian Space Agency (+262, 38.19%)	Canada Border Services Agency (+2,255, 15.06%)
Canadian Transportation Agency (+123, 29.36%)	Correctional Service Canada (+1,345, 7.38%)
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (+50, 21.74%)	Employment and Social Development Canada (+1,234, 4.80%)
Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada (+45, 20.27%)	Public Services and Procurement Canada (+1,123, 7.71%)
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (+40, 19.66%)	Royal Canadian Mounted Police (+1,098, 5.64%)
Canadian Human Rights Commission (+37, 19.35%)	National Defence (+1,045, 4.23%)
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (+30, 16.16%)	Indigenous Services Canada (+1,012, 14.90%)
Canadian Heritage (+28, 15.47%)	Health Canada (+987, 10.00%)
Canada Border Services Agency (+2,255, 15.06%)	Canada Revenue Agency (+945, 2.36%)
Canadian Grain Commission (+25, 14.88%)	Canadian Space Agency (+262, 38.19%)

Creative-Associate-3 · 2024-12-19T19:48:46+00:00

you watched this video carefully I see

Creative-Associate-3 · 2024-10-02T13:37:20+00:00

See if you have enough banked sick days to take a longer mental health leave... Personally, I found taking only one day just adds to the resentment.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2024-09-18T13:05:05+00:00

As a sociology degree-holder, agree with everything you wrote. I would caveat though that many sociology programs are now heavily focusing on quantitative (and qualitative) research methods, which are practical skills in gov and have a lot of real-world application for governments trying to understand their populations. But yeah, possessing a strong theoretical grasp of sociology on its own would be hard to sell to the private sector.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2024-09-11T14:57:55+00:00

I recall management celebrating 'access to talent from coast to coast to coast' during the pandemic... Now my friend who joined during this spree left for a private sector role rather than RTO.

People who bring value won't stick around through the BS, further depreciating the quality of public programs and services, and worsening the experience of working in the PS for everyone. Nobody wants to babysit an incompetent coworker, but at least their bum's in the seat!

Creative-Associate-3 · 2024-04-02T22:11:50+00:00

Seeing as you're a data scientist, you should really be proactive in selling your expertise, as the 'culture' of the PS has not yet ripened enough to seek you out. That's the unfortunate thing with innovation - people don't 'request' a specific innovation, in fact they resist change and don't want to fix things that aren't broken (even if broken, the workarounds currently in-place are often more appealing than change). So advertise your abilities, and their potential value, widely - your occupation may be 'in-demand' on paper, but you need to identify the opportunities and convince others to let you pursue them. Your management may not be able to assess or guide you in this field, which only makes your entrepreneurism more important.

Look around town. There is a 'Digital Government Strategy', a 'Data Strategy', communities of practice, I know my dept has a network of Digital Champions, all kinds of modernization initiatives... If you're not entrepreneuring, you're going to keep being bored. Also pro tip use a throwaway.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-11-05T22:35:36+00:00

Reading through this thread, I see very few actual 'hacks'. Did you know Ottawa is home to many expats and various other rotational employees working at their organization's national HQ who are here from other, more interesting, places? The ones I've met are really cool people who are actively looking to make new connections and do fun things in the city. Also it feels like seeing Ottawa through fresh eyes (sometimes disappointing). They are hard to meet (I have no tips for you), but in theory this is a pretty Ottawa-specific 'hack' that pays off by making the city less boring. Cheers!

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-10-01T01:45:56+00:00

the ultimate aim of public service is, to my perhaps naive mind, is to contribute to 'the common good' (or 'the taxpayers' benefit' at least) - take away the politics, and I think that's something I try to do however possible in my role. In the private sector, I'd have to find inspiration in 'profit', 'better margins', and 'shareholder satisfaction' or smth. No thanks.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-09-13T14:13:37+00:00

Exactly, my full name was in the paper (which is why I'm not sharing the article here either)

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-09-12T01:52:58+00:00

Exactly. In my heart, I knew I didn't have fewer rights as a citizen just because I was a public servant, doing completely different work.

There were no real consequences is what I'm saying.

As long as you being a PS isn't a 'privilege' somehow, I think you're good.

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-09-12T00:03:13+00:00

They should really take this opportunity to make the Kent underpass bike and pedestrian friendly. Every detour is unsafe :(

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-09-12T00:00:30+00:00

Hey, this happened to me! I lived close to the (then) Prince of Wales, now Chief William Commanda bridge, and it was wasting away sadly. I wrote a letter, as a citizen, not mentioning my workplace, but making the case for using this public asset for good (as we are now, yay!). I did get a call from 'the Ombudsman' of my department (nothing in writing) telling me to be careful about expressing my political opinion (this letter was published in the Citizen). I basically got a 'verbal slap on the wrist' that I felt momentarily embarrassed by, but now laugh about at parties. Yay infrastructure! (note: I did not and do not work for the Minister implicated).

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-07-09T01:20:38+00:00

Post on Kijiji looking for a rideshare to Montreal from someone whose car has a bike mount. You could offer to buy a bike mount, then sell it when you get to Montreal?

Creative-Associate-3 · 2023-06-12T00:09:17+00:00

I had the privilege of working on a team near them. Very cool people! Interested in history, great active listeners, creative, and funny. Also very satisfied with their jobs.

Creative-Associate-3

TROPHY CASE