Back in the bad old days of constitutional angst and the country being on the brink, Quebec's position was the "knife to the throat" of English Canada: give us what we want or we are gone.

The same thing is happening today.

Gilles Duceppe says the cost for him supporting the upcoming federal budget is $5 billion.

Duceppe is still looking for ice storm compensation from 1998. Can we move on?

The Bloc always takes credit when something good happens for Quebec and blames Canada when it doesn't.

This is how a country is supposed to work? I don't think so.

But when Quebecers keep electing the Bloc, which has no interest in the greater governance of Canada, this is what happens. We will take our ball and go home.

Prime Minister Harper really is fishing in the wrong waters if he thinks Quebec will bring him to the promised land of majority.

As long as Quebecers mistakenly think that voting for the Bloc is in their best interests, Quebec will not be represented strongly in Ottawa.

They are just ankle biters who do not care about the greater good.

What we need is Quebec's full participation in Canadian federal politics: Not bribes, extortion or knives to the throat.

Nor do we need federal support for a Quebec City arena as a tipping point.

The bring-back-the-Nordiques story is a fun melodrama to behold.

I would love to see a hockey team back in Quebec City.

Hopefully the economics can work this time around, but I don't think any of my money should go into it.

Jean Charest already jumped the gun and pledged $175 million of our tax dollars.

There should be no public subsidies for the NHL or for millionaires.

But with votes at stake in a probable spring election, don't put it past the feds to try to stickhandle this one by us.

Stuff that made us smile

Well sometimes politicians can make us smile.

Case in point this week: Defence Minister Peter MacKay praising the great common border between Canada and California.

I guess he forgot about Washington and Oregon. Good thing he won't be sending any of our troops that way anytime soon.

Or maybe the Tories do have a secret plan to invade the Pacific Northwest… you never know with these guys.

Finally, all good things do come to an end.

Number 86 decided to hang them up this week after 13 seasons with the Alouettes.

Ben Cahoon played with heart and class and became the top pass receiver in CFL history.

Thanks for a job well done.

We won't hear any more chants of "Cahoon" roaring through Molson Stadium, just echoes and sweet memories.