Well, here we at just about to sign off on 2009.

A new decade is just days away.

It seems like yesterday we bringing in the millennium and many wer hiding nder covers worried about the Y2K bug

In Montreal 2009 marked by scandal and corruption at City Hall.

We had an election where voters desperately wanted to take Gerald Tremblay out to the woodshed. But reelected him, largely because he isn't Louise Harel.

Voters have lost confidence

Nothing changes they say.

MacLean's magazine said Montreal is a corrupt, crumbling, mob-ridden disgrace. Ouch

Montreal can do better. Let's hope Santa can deliver a renewed sense of purpose to our local government based on honesty, integrity and doing what is right.

In Quebec City. Jean Charest's Liberal majority seems be providing good governance.

But Charest would do well to listen to the calls for an inquiry into the awarding of government contracts. It is a big deal.

Is he afraid it might be inconvenient for many friends of the Liberals? On Santa's list for Jean Charest, a change of mind

The PQ is making noises again about language and sovereignty. Playing that card is an act of desperation.

The best before date has long since expired. Pauline Marois needs something to boost her sagging popularity. Some pequistes even said what is needed is bill 101 in daycare. Sigh.... That pretty much would make us the laughing stock of the civilized world. Don't even think Santa can help out here.

This year we had some feeble attempts to stir up language tensions by the usual suspects.

Remember Lake of Stew. Well the Anglo band did finally play on Fete St Jean. And everyone had a good time. Language didn't matter. See the joke is, people get along in this city. My favourite language is franglais. Where else in the world can you find that.?

Sadly It was also a year when hundreds of lives were left it tatters in the Earl Jones scandal. In Santa's bag a message please to lawmakers and our judges to spare no mercy on white collar crime. It is violent as well.

On the positive front. A year ago the economy was falling into an abyss. It seems to be getting back on track

The other major story. The swine flu. We rolled up our sleeves by the millions. But found that on the government level, we have much to learn about pandemics.

This is Christmas. It's not about presents. Or really who has been naughty or nice. but about goodwill to men. The Christmas message is universal no matter what your faith peace, and hope and love.

I hope you find some of that joy at this special time of year.

As Ebenezer Scrooge said honour Christmas in your heart and try to keep it all the year. Because what Charles Dickens was saying so long ago, holds true today, if there is hope for Scrooge there is hope for us all.

That's CTV Postscript for this week and this year. Merry Christmas one .and all .Joyeux Noel.