On Canada Day, Quebec is the place to party

This Canada Day, as usual, the distinct society of Quebec is getting far more than its fair share of federal-sponsored fireworks and face-painting.

Quebec will get $3.7 million this year for Canada's birthday bash, compared with $3 million for the rest of the country. Maybe it's because the French settlers were really the first Europeans to stake a claim in the far north and help found this country.

Maybe it's because we want to keep those settlers' modern-day descendants within Confederation. Old fashioned laying down of tribute is always a winning idea.

Whatever. Pretty much as far from Ottawa as can be, us west coasters are having a great time soaking up the sunshine with maple leafs painted on our faces and a bottle of local-brewed Granville Island Honey Lager in our patriotic grip.

And you didn't even have to bribe us.