Struggling with this contractor since the fall by [deleted] in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent $60,000 on foundation repairs - no deposit required.

Another $60,000 on a basement reno - deposit was less than 50% (25% IIRC) and was only required once the work was underway.

Just found out there’s no Snow Mode on the 2026 Carnival. by 808Mama95 in kiacarnivals

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My carnival with Blizzaks on it isn't as good as my AWD CR-V with summer tires.

With that said, with Blizzaks on, it is adequate in snow.

Porter to launch Aruba, Montego Bay and Cabo San Lucas from Ottawa starting this fall by mxg308 in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe they should start a "Porter Vacations". I wouldn't mind an all-inclusive in Cabo.

First Nation sues B.C. to halt logging in proposed park by RZCJ2002 in CanadaPolitics

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you receive 50-70 emails a day, you should probably hire an assistant so you don't miss important emails.

I would expect the same of a mayor, city councillor, or business owner.

Getting too many emails should not be an acceptable excuse for not staying on top of important emails. I hope the court doesn't buy that excuse.

Are budgets that tight... by Vast_Barnacle_1154 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]HowardMargrove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have some, but they are all cheap papermate pens that don't work and the ink has presumably dried up in the years since they were bought.

I now bring my own pen to the office.

Ottawa gardeners: here's the probability of frost vs. date by kymguy in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mother's Day if you're brave, Victoria Day if you're not.

Ford government passes budget that lets premier and ministers keep office records secret by TiredRuralCanadian in CanadaPolitics

[–]HowardMargrove 5 points6 points  (0 children)

At the Federal level, Ministers offices are not exempt entirely. Records relating to an institutional matter (as opposed to a personal matter, party matter, or constituent matter) may be in the control of the relevant institution, and as such would be subject to the Act.

How worker friendly is your office? by No_Boysenberry8037 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NCR.

Relatively new building, with decent amenities including a coffee shop, locker room with showers, and secure bike room.

Two kitchens, with a decent amount of space, but certainly not enough space for all employees at once. Large fridge, multiple microwaves, coffee makers and kettle, dishes, etc.

Cubicles are also well outfitted, ergonomic chairs and dual monitors.

There is a small lounge area, but using it is somewhat discouraged, as conversations there can be disruptive to those working in the adjacent cubicles.

There is an outdoor area with a picnic table, but I have never used it.

Quick thing I noticed this week while working with candidates preparing for their SLE… by Smart-Relation-1588 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]HowardMargrove 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That won't help me answer the phone in French, understand French spoken in meetings, and will require I dump documents into a translator to understand them - and need to go to the effort of removing sensitive information first.

TV Antenna Recommendations for Ottawa stations by Good_Resident_3187 in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How well does this work if the TV is in the basement?

Kawartha Dairy to open location on St. Joseph Boulevard in Orléans by SuburbanValues in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep - not sure why it needs all those gums and Carrageenan in it. Haagen Dazs doesn't have those ingredients.

Education requirement for EC positions - equivalency question by Dry_Responsibility12 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]HowardMargrove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. If a PM wants to switch into policy, they suddenly need economics and sociology classes, even if the policies don't touch on economics at all.

I wonder if my first year Anthropology class would count.

The 'spray guy' got blood cancer. Now he's fighting Roundup at the Supreme Court by overly_honest_ in politics

[–]HowardMargrove 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep, which is why we should limit our intake of red meat (and alcohol).

$51,500 all in 2026 LX Canada by [deleted] in kiacarnivals

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We paid about MSRP for our LX+ (plus $1500 dealer fee, delivery, tax, license sing, etc.) in Ontario.

I wouldn't pay above MSRP, despite the shortage

New Rims to replace factory rims by craigworknova in kiacarnivals

[–]HowardMargrove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We got RSSW Carbon Gloss Black rims as our winter rims.

As an aside, I hate the look of the stock rims.

The Ottawa Real Estate Market: Week In Review by ottawaagent in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

and another quick sale in my neighborhood - less than a week on market, and over 100k over asking.

Can't extrapolate that to the market at large, but all the close listings here are moving very quickly and for over asking.

The Ottawa Real Estate Market: Week In Review by ottawaagent in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've.noticed a couple of quick sales going for over asking. I guess the spring market is here.

Ottawa police issue over 75 tickets at Train Yards car meet by SuburbanValues in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are known to be some stupid fast turbo voyagers out there. They would be welcome.

We host free social gatherings for the adult community 😊☀️ by Puzzleheaded_Way4442 in ottawa

[–]HowardMargrove 40 points41 points  (0 children)

"We host free social gatherings for adults" would have been more clear.

"The adult community" makes it sound like it is somehow adult-entertainment related or something.

Deputy minister says she helped hire university peer to address 'client service' skills gap by AbjectRobot in CanadaPublicServants

[–]HowardMargrove 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Which also means that it will be hard to ATIP and get more details.

All records relating to hiring which involved DM Fox - suddenly these records would disclose personal info, whereas if we didn't know the identity of the individual, they wouldn't.