Maybe Saint John should simply join Sherbrooke...

Much has been made in recent weeks of the enormous amount of federal budget $$ being directed toward Quebec, but there has been little discussion of what the budget didn't include: a restoration of the federal government's Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund.

The lowest block of properties on Saint John's historic King Street was the sort of project the fund helped restore.

Oh well. Never mind that rehabilitating older buildings can revitalize historic downtowns, while creating a greener, more efficient urban environment. Ignore the relatively small federal contribution needed as a catalyst for development. And definitely do not read this New York Times article.

Instead, spend billions more on an equalization scheme that leaves virtually no one happy a few short weeks later, except for maybe Mario Dumont.

Nice. Perhaps, when the feds spend millions celebrating the anniversary of Champlain's settlement of Quebec, someone should ask how much the feds spent to commemorate his earlier naming of the River St. John...