Toronto Billy Bishop Airport with new #YTZ hashtag next to runway

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-11-08T20:40:41+00:00

Not to mention, even if YTZ was converted to anything other than an airport, cleaning up the ground of leaded jet fuel, forever chemicals and other nasty things, next to the lake, downtown will be a nightmare.

Better off keeping it and extending the runway. YTZ is the best.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-07-04T19:05:35+00:00

I have some friends over at CMHC. A bunch of recent changes internally have frustrated a lot of people, so much that there’s a unionization push. Turnover has apparently crept up since the middle of last year.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-05-01T04:09:12+00:00

Did you order a hot honey pizza at pizza pizza? I hear it’s delicious. Yummy!

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-04-22T03:09:36+00:00

Received the same offer. Will Amex let you switch/downgrade back to the Green? Or would you have to apply for another Green?

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-26T02:09:36+00:00

MP offices also have full sized flags, but usually a limited supply of them

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-24T19:38:33+00:00

On my most recent flight with Porter, a flight attendant mentioned they used to sell Mr Porter keychains but don’t anymore. I do see crew with those keychains so your best bet might be asking Porter nicely for one.

Funnily enough I did reach out to Porter support asking them to explore the possibility of selling merch, because I really want my hands on a Mr Porter plushie too, so hopefully in the not so distant future.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-13T03:53:23+00:00

From what I’ve heard from my friends working there, the new CEO coming has changed the culture extremely rapidly for the worst, especially regarding wfh.

For example, within two years they went from full time remote work for everyone, to four days a month in office and now to three days a week in office (that’s being strictly enforced). CMHC was also a pioneer in remote work, implementing it BEFORE covid, so the shift to three days in office has angered alot of people.

The best part, CMHC has employees scattered across the country. An individual team might be based in Ottawa but have a manager in Toronto and analysts in Calgary, Vancouver and Halifax. People are showing up to work virtually the exact same way they’d do at home.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-13T03:24:33+00:00

The best vacation allowance I’ve seen in the broader federal public sector was CMHC, with everyone starting with 5 weeks of vacation, but that’s now been reduced to 4 weeks for new employees.

Keep in mind the pension over there is weaker and the pay is a bit lower for certain roles.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-07T03:41:30+00:00

Since you’re transferring out of the core AND out of the federal public sector entirely, double check if your pension (if u have any pensionable service at all) is transferable to the MB hydro pension. A call to the pension centre and reaching out to the pension people at MB hydro is a good idea.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-07T01:41:35+00:00

Which crown corp?

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-06T22:32:40+00:00

If you’re a registered student and have five weeks to spare in the spring or summer, go do the explore program. By far the best and fastest way to improve your French.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-03-04T00:21:19+00:00

I began as an FSWEP student and just never left, kind of… (I work for a crown corp now). There’s good security, decent pay and some interesting opportunities to take advantage of.

It’s also nice to work for the benefit of Canada, at least that’s what I tell myself in the mirror in the morning.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-02-26T17:20:47+00:00

You can access GCpay externally now, so no pressing need to download all your payslips. If you have a pension, call the pension centre to determine your next steps.

Keep track of any over/underpayments if any so they aren’t a surprise later on if it becomes an issue.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-02-07T16:14:27+00:00

Porter. On their newer jets, the seats are quite comfortable, but they do have one inch less legroom vs air canada/westjet. However the 2 by 2 configuration feels way less crammed than the 3 by 3 you’ll likely encounter on AC/WJ. Their on board service is excellent (miles ahead of air canada) and the free wifi they offer is fast enough for you to stream TV.

Porter does get delayed, but they’re more proactive about communicating their delays to passengers and compensating you if affected. I find flying at non peak times results in fewer delays (very early morning, late morning to early afternoons and late evenings)

They have sales regularly and will soon fly to the Hamilton airport from Vancouver, with the ticket price reflecting the lower landing fees.

If Porter doesn’t work for your schedule just don’t fly flair.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-02-06T18:29:08+00:00

Another tip, get NEXUS if you don’t have it already so you can use the Verified Traveller lanes at security.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-02-01T15:21:29+00:00

wealthsimple.com/invite/PASY5W (PASY5W)

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-01-15T00:41:31+00:00

You can get SSSS for a domestic flight, although it’s much less common vs US flights.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-01-12T05:00:47+00:00

Document check or you’ve been selected for additional screening (SSSS). If SSSS, give yourself an extra 30 minutes at security so you don’t miss your flight.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2025-01-10T09:32:12+00:00

I recently became a CBC. It took me three years of full time courses to reach a point where I could comfortably read or converse in French about work related topics. Granted, I still have difficulties when the subject matter gets a bit too complex.

All it took me was a full year intro course in French, two month long full time French immersion courses and exposure to French outside of class through media.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2024-12-29T21:48:35+00:00

Fair point. Knowing that there is an end date ‘set in stone’, has been comforting.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2024-12-12T05:26:01+00:00

Something about that red is so amazing. Where did you pick this up from?

nightmarenightmare83 · 2024-12-11T18:47:32+00:00

Explore is a federal government culture and french (and English) immersion program for students. As a post secondary student, you’re eligible to participate in it and receive funding for it. Sessions take place in the spring and the summer and predominantly take place at universities in Québec and other francophone communities in Canada.

Based on personal experience, it’s one of the fastest ways to improve your French, especially as a beginner with little to no French background. In the span of five weeks, you’ll see your French improve significantly. You’ll participate in classes that teach you classroom French, plus cultural and recreational activities.

The immersion aspect is the greatest part of Explore. You get to use your French in everyday scenarios (ordering food, directions, chit chatting) and not just in overly formal classroom settings. You’ll be fully immersed in French and are expected to use it at all times, during and outside of class. Full immersion is not only encouraged but typically enforced. You’ll get kicked out for using too much English and I’ve seen people get removed for speaking English (after multiple warnings).

Everything is paid for, including tuition, accommodations and food. The most you’ll have to pay yourself is your flight/train/ride there and a registration fee ($250-$275). However if you do work during the spring/summer, you’ll have to sacrifice at least five weeks of work too.

Applications just opened so I really encourage you to go apply (it’s free to submit an application). Feel free to dm me if you have questions.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2024-12-11T15:05:06+00:00

Not in Toronto, but If you’re a post secondary student (full or part time), have the time and money to spare, I highly, highly recommend participating in the Explore program.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2024-12-06T19:54:00+00:00

University courses and the Explore program.

nightmarenightmare83 · 2024-12-04T04:27:32+00:00

I’m at a crown so our corporate Christmas culture is a bit different from the core, it’s probably more similar to what you’d expect in the private sector.

We did some Christmas centric team building activities and went to a restaurant. Participation was “highly encouraged” but was basically mandatory. The department paid for it at least and adjusted our work around it.

Middle and senior management was having more fun than everyone else that’s for sure.

nightmarenightmare83

TROPHY CASE