Milestones dominated my year
By John Mohan

The year 2008 is ready to be put in the history books. And what a year it was.

A federal election that produced little change to our Parliament, but cost us $300 million. We looked on with fascination at the willingness of our opposition parties to co-operate when they're mad enough with a near surprise change of government, as long as the separatists would support it. However, the Governor General didn't support it so it remains only a fantasy, which is too bad. I hoped local MP Pat Martin would have been named to the cabinet as finance minister so he could banish the lowly penny once and for all.

Stephane Dion has moved out of Stornaway and Michael Ignatieff is moving in. (As cost-conscious public servants, I imagine they'll share a U-Haul truck to reduce the burden on the taxpayers.)

No Senator Lizzie

There are 18 new senators, but Elizabeth May isn't one of them. And the prime minister promised during the election campaign there would be no deficit spending but now he's OK with having one. Taxpayers aren't sure how big it will be, how long it will last or how many of our future generations will be paying it off. The cost of filling our vehicles went through the roof this summer and now it's half the summer price. The economy tanked in many places but there are still lots of "Help Wanted" signs in Manitoba. Even though the Bank of Canada has set the borrowing rates at record lows, major banks haven't figured out they're supposed to follow suit so they're keeping the savings. I'm sure they have our best "interests" at heart.

The housing market has finally cooled down which is good for buyers and bad for sellers. Any of us with mutual funds or stock investments have a range of conflicted emotions but mostly rage and depression. My pension mutual lost 42% of its value this year so I guess I won't be retiring any time in this lifetime.

The United States elected a new president with no executive experience, while almost-vice-president Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house.

Locally, 2008 was a fairly tranquil year with no elections and a stable economy.

After nearly 30 years, Bill Blaikie left politics and is now going back in.

I can't imagine he needs the money with the federal pension he's collecting so he must have more altruistic motives -- like replacing Gary Doer who must be thinking about new challenges by now.

The new Hydro building is nearly completed and David Asper is still pursuing ownership of the Bombers and building a new stadium -- hopefully a covered one.

And 2008 was a series of milestones for me. I turned 50, rode a bicycle from Calgary to Winnipeg without falling off, and met both Prime Minister Harper and Calgary Flames Captain Jarome Iginla.

After 45 years, I reconnected with family and friends from my foster-child years in Pipestone but lost both an aunt and uncle to sudden illnesses this year.

However, the birth of my first grandchild Lincoln is what makes this my best year ever.

In spite of all the uncertainties and perhaps losses, I hope your 2008 was mostly marked with fond memories too.

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, December 31, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.