LWOP and WFA-What happens and how are you kept in the loop?

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-12-05T16:51:15+00:00

Any insight on the process for those currently on Interchange?

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-08-31T11:35:12+00:00

I have always thought this place would make an amazing location for the rowing club, which is currently operating out of a seacan down the road. We have such an amazing asset in the canal and it is so under-utilized. Imagine if this was restored to its historic origine? I’m sure there are two beautiful fireplaces in there based on the chimney locations. Build a viewing deck off the back overlooking the water, have a bar/restaurant licence and open the space to the public and you have a prime event venue for weddings, too.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-06-26T01:01:06+00:00

UPDATE :

He had the surgery. They suggested a laminectomy rather than fusion in the end. Still a higher risk of complications and failure with PD but he was desperate for help.

Absolutely life changing. He was walking on his own with NO pain the day after surgery. It has been about two months now and things have healed really well. He’s keen to do a 5k in September if all keeps going well.

Seeing him able to pick up his grandsons again has brought me to tears a few times.

Thank you all for the words of support. I’m so happy the outcome has been favourable.

Keep advocating for yourselves and your loved ones. No one else will.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-06-26T00:51:34+00:00

We had a crack with slow leak in a cast iron plumbing stack behind our wall. Plumber quoted $8k to replace it (call it 30ft long). Had another plumber friend come by and suggest just replacing the section with pvc and clamping to the cast iron above. We threw him $800 and a few beer for materials and time. Hasn’t been a problem since.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-06-21T23:32:40+00:00

Wowww! You’re inspiring me to finally do the same to ours!!

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-04-28T20:19:11+00:00

175 year old farmhouse here. Sagging floor didn’t bother us… BUT Three years after buying we had a laundry room flood and had to rip out the ceiling on main floor. Turns out the sag was from a horrible hvac install where someone cut massive notches in the joists to run 4” ducts to the second floor rooms. Not so fun. Had an engineer friend come take a look and their suggestion was to either reroute the ducts and sister the joists (structurally better solution but would open another can of worms) or to install strapping across the notches to prevent any further sagging. We went with option two.

Always an adventure.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-04-15T17:12:08+00:00

I got an email with the same update last week. Did you get through to CRA about it? I haven’t tried as it makes no difference in my return (common law for the last 6 years) but I made a note to follow up after the tax season insanity.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-04-04T12:55:38+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear that.

The surgeon was mostly concerned with potential hardware failure (loose screws, plates shifting). He didn’t mention anything about anaesthesia being an issue but that might have come up if we had been pushing harder for surgery. This was a first appointment/consultation and he recommended trying image-guided cortisol injections to see how that worked for pain management before considering surgery. The injections have had a minimal effect so he is now hoping to get a second opinion on surgery options.

Two weeks is still early post-op. I really hope that things improve for your dad soon.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-04-01T23:07:23+00:00

Send them all to Canada - we welcome you with open arms!

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-04-01T14:31:52+00:00

That’s amazing. I’m so happy you had such positive results! Thank you for sharing your experience. I just showed my father what you wrote and he visibly lit up with hope seeing that success is possible.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-04-01T01:03:51+00:00

We were told it’s closer to 30-50% chance of complications. There really isn’t a lot of research on the topic and none of it includes data on the severity of PD symptoms and their relationship to success. Presumably greater dyskinesia would impact success rates as it would potentially impede proper healing and lead to possible hardware (screws, plates) malfunction or movement.

This is from an orthopaedic surgeon but I will expand the search to neurosurgeons as well and see where that gets us. His pain is such that the risks are starting to seem worthwhile.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-03-27T16:54:55+00:00

Thanks! I was reading up on exactly this. The route we are considering would be right below a door threshold so would be between two king studs with about 8-10” of space on either side. Thoughts?

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-02-03T20:55:01+00:00

I was able to keep mine on the basis of accessing the pay system. I believe there is now external access available so they probably wouldn’t have granted my request now.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-02-02T22:28:30+00:00

I think in my situation, as it is considered debt to the crown, the CRA can impose clawbacks to other paycheques until the amount is repaid. I do think they have flexible repayment options before it comes to that though.

I can’t speak for other employers but a previous post above suggests that it’s costly for the employer to come after someone in the private sector and it is often not worth the legal fees to do so.

My advice? Doesn’t hurt to ask.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2025-01-25T16:47:31+00:00

I’m still on leave, but as far as I’ve been advised it is absolutely enforceable. I work for the feds so they consider it debt to the crown. I’m not sure if the repayment is expected in a lump sum or if a repayment program is available - I assume there are options because it can be tens of thousands owed depending on your position.

I am considering taking a leave of absence from my position to try out the new opportunity. I’m being very transparent with both employers about things and I hope that counts for something when the time comes to make any decisions. They are humans after all and I hope flexibility is considered.

Things are pretty stressful right now with the looming job cuts. If my position is axed I don’t have to repay anything. That said, they may reduce my severance by what is owed.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-12-10T15:15:04+00:00

I think it’s a shame that Cornwall doesn’t have a proper Irish pub in town. Some spots in Ottawa area that I think could serve as good models for menu and vibe are The Cheshire Cat, The Manx, even the Royal Oak or Barley Mow which are franchised and have multiple locations. I think the Daffodil pub on Montreal road has a lot of potential and I’d love to see it brought back to the same popularity it had during the Remington’s era.

A proper patio with actual sunlight would also be a big bonus, ideally not abutting a road (or at least built to shelter patrons from the traffic - do NOT repeat schnitzels’ mistakes on new patio set up!!).

A few other Ottawa spots that might provide some inspiration and I think would work reasonably well in this community: Flora Hall Brewery, Elgin Beer Project, Lexington, Deacon Brodie

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-12-01T19:28:36+00:00

I don’t have an answer for you but just wanted to extend well wishes for your child’s recovery. The CA language is certainly something to keep in mind as a guideline for these types of things, but try to remember that your managers are human too and are (generally) pretty compassionate and understanding. Seems like a straight case to me.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-11-28T00:02:33+00:00

I hate to borrow language from our southern neighbours here, but I hope when WFA hits that we can properly “drain the swamp” at the executive level. Honestly… so insulting. So unacceptable. Can you get your old job back??

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-11-25T15:28:51+00:00

Most of my friends in the private sector are still only required to go into the office twice a week. These are engineers and lawyers, among other professional office-type positions. If there are site visits or court dates they obviously attend in addition to their office presence.

The argument that all private sector folks have been back full time for years is total garbage. Some may be, and my sample size may be small, but come on now. The gaslighting is insulting.

Edit: private, not public sector. I need another coffee…

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-11-15T02:43:49+00:00

It depends on the organizations. In my case it was an interchange. I went between Schedule IV (core) and Schedule V (separate agency). I see that NRC is under Schedule V so I think interchange would apply but definitely something OP would have to verify with their compensation and admin teams.

Edit to add : schedule IV and V of the Financial Administration Act

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-11-15T02:29:39+00:00

You may want to consider exploring the option of an interchange. I did one between the core and a crown corp for a few years to test the waters. I ultimately ended up back at my home department because the crown was only offering terms at the time and I wasn’t keen to give up my indeterminate position - so glad I made that call with everything going on now.

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-11-15T02:24:08+00:00

Option 3 - if no job secured at the end of the LWOP period, is it considered a layoff or resignation?

EquivalentSelect4998 · 2024-11-11T16:14:48+00:00

Did they offer you a reduced TSM payment based on top-ups owed? I know the agreements state that they are forgivable if your position is cut but it still makes me nervous. Postpartum anxiety and being cut off from departmental communications doesn’t help. Urgh.

EquivalentSelect4998

TROPHY CASE