29.1 Iintroduction: Fall, 1986: Living Upstairs, 485 Manning Ave.
29.1.1 Introduction
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29.1.2 Working at Home
At this time I was working along with my many employees, in the large central open space I had created on the second floor of 485 Manning Ave. (see plan below)
We also used the new kitchen and new addition on the East side, as shown in plan and photos below.
Fight to Maintain Katimavik
In the fall of 1986, the Mulroony Conservatives decided to pull the plug on Katimavik by eliminating the funding. Many people who were fond of the program, including myself, wrote letters and generally lobbied for them to change their minds. Jaques Hebert, now a Senator, went on a 21-day hunger strike. Although his efforts to raise the awareness of Canada's politicians and people to the difficult realities faced by the country's young people were not successful at the time, the Senator refused to give up. Along with Claude Raīche, at the time Quebec regional director of Katimavik, he remained convinced of and committed to the program's value and importance for youth. Together, they continued the fight to ensure that Katimavik would not disappear completely. Their efforts were not entirely in vain. When the Liberals were returned to power, the program was re-instated.
Doris and I Finished
Coincidentally, when Katimavik ended, so did Doris and I. It seemed to me that our relationship had become one of my not only helping her with things, but doing things for her. Writing her university essays, doing her taxes, paying her many bills, organizing her life. To the point that when we sat down and looked at our relationship we realized we were not getting along. Our last dinner together was at Scarborough Golf Club with the parents, Ron and Alison, and Bern and Roz on 7 December, 1986. We decided that while I was in Europe, Doris would move out. Later that week, I flew to Europe where I would meet Karin Bostrom. By the time I returned in January, 1987, Doris was gone and we would never have any significant contact again. She soon moved to Montreal and established a day care centre.
Anne
Some time after Doris left, I started dating Anne Johnson (see right). The last time I saw her was when we attended Mike Babier's wedding together, __ June, 198_.
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