Government nerdy, HVAC and construction economics, and the two Ursulas

Was excellent to visit with friends yesterday (S+H+B+A!), revisiting an old childhood favourite (Aviation Museum!) and making the most of an excellent summer day with a barbecue. Humid days aside, Ottawa’s such a lovely place to be in the summer. If ever you’re passing through, please let me know, I’d be happy to meet up!

• If you follow Canadian politics with even half-lidded eyes, you know supply management is a lightning rod issue. But what is supply management? As with so many topics, the good folks at the Library of Parliament have you covered.
• Some interesting reflections on the Government Digital Service’s first 15 (!) years, including its recent machinery whipsawing, and what its arc can teach us about public service reform in the UK. (And sounds like an interesting longer piece on the subject is in the works!)
• “Area woman can’t stop talking about heat pumps, family and friends are worried”—oh, if only renters had more leverage to encourage short-term landlords to invest in long-term changes like heat pumps. (via Mita Williams)
• Similarly, I like Waldo Jaquith’s vision for “Going beyond plug-in solar”.
• Why construction costs related to labour and materials are harder to budge than you’d think. (With an excellent explanation of why the economics of modular construction aren’t as slam-dunk as one might think.)
• Jessamyn’s West account of “young men and cars” gave me a good many chuckles.
• Mandy Brown puts the two Ursulas (Le Guin and Franklin) in conversation, as the world intended.

All the best for the week ahead!

Lucas