[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]In the summer of 2008, I accepted a contract as a conflict management practitioner at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa. I couldn’t pass-up the opportunity, jumped at the chance feet first, and with a great deal of enthusiasm I packed my little blue Yaris, threw my dog in the back seat and headed east on the 401. I waved goodbye to Toronto as I watched the skyline disappear from the rear-view mirror. Now, one and a half years later, I look back and think; “wow, what a great experience!” Within a few short weeks on the job I noticed my down- town Toronto civilian life-style was coming to a slow halt. I couldn’t understand why my parking spot hosted an electrical outlet. I had visions in the summer of me sitting on a deck chair in my spot with a frothy drink in my hand, and my radio plugged into the conduit, blaring my favourite music. My first winter told me that I was wrong and electrical outlets in parking spots were used to start cars when it hit -40 outside, which it did. My co-workers wore shades of green or tan, sported jaunty matching berets and were trained to kill if necessary, I’m not sure if any of that was a prerequisite to become a member of Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO), but I was pretty sure it was not. It was not uncommon to drive down Petawawa Blvd and see

Continue Reading…Yonge & Eglinton mediator gives up city life for CFB Petawawa contract