Like many things in Quebec, we don’t act until it’s too late, way too late.

We are seeing once again what years of neglect and political indifference has done to the Champlain Bridge.

There were warnings a decade ago that the most-traveled bridge in Canada was in urgent need of replacement.

So what happened? Not much.

There was no political will to do anything from the Tories. Face it, bridges aren’t that sexy.

Now we need a fast-track solution. Other countries build bigger bridges in three years. Why can’t we?

The latest brilliant idea from Premier Pauline Marois is to take over the management of the bridge project from Ottawa.

Let’s just take a look at the recent track record of our transport department:

  • We had the fatal tragedy in Laval when an overpass collapsed
  • We had a near disaster on the Ville Marie when the roof crashed onto the road
  • We have a Turcot exchange that is falling apart and is held together, I fear, with hope and prayer
  • We have a Dorval circle airport project that with its roads to nowhere that is going nowhere.

So Madame Marois, I think on this matter, let's keep Quebec out of it.

Besides, building any kind of bridge is not this government’s strong suit.

Breaking the bank (in a bad way)

Nor is math. Not too long ago, the PQ promised a balanced budget but something went wrong with the adding and subtracting.

The PQ has managed its way to a $2.5 billion deficit in slightly over a year.

A government tossing money around that it doesn’t have.

The PQ finance minister blames a lack of revenue and a slow North American economy.

He should double-check. There has been a recovery elsewhere but money is not coming into Quebec.

Oh! Yes we will soon have new metro cars.

We got a first glimpse at our new expensive non-air conditioned cars this week.

These are ones that cost us at least a million dollars more each because of a closed, possibly illegal tendering process.

Why? It was because of political concerns and votes to maintain the previous government. It seems everything has to have an angle.

Nice job to have

Then this week we learned more about our own homegrown royalty Prince Charles of Montreal.

Charles Lapointe ran Montreal’s tourism bureau until recently.

Perhaps it would be better named our Entitlement bureau. He made more money that the premier and mayor combined at $400,000 a year plus a golden handshake of $650,000.

This guy claimed a car allowance even when he had a limo and chauffeur provided.

He had taxpayers refund his charitable contributions even while claiming a tax credit.

It’s easy to be generous when someone else is paying. There were untold meals and expenses without explanation...

From the senate spending scandal, to the daily dose of Charbonneau corruption, to new calls for MNAs to receive huge salary increases, to open bars at municipal agencies. Is there no end?

There are many levels of government with their hands always out.

But at the end of the day, there is only one taxpayer. And that taxpayer is feeling more than a little screwed.