Monday morning digest

- The strike by Ontario's college teachers is finally over. In Ottawa, those returning to work at Algonquin College were meeting at a neighbouring Tim Horton's beforehand and were going to be piped in with bagpipes as they marched back to work at the campus. Who do they think they are, William Wallace and the boys returning from battle? Please. I highly doubt there will be many students joining that caravan. As always, it's more about lining one's pockets than any higher cause (the students, quality of education, etc.).

- Speaking of unions, it looks like GM's workers are going to be the next fat cats to be forced into dealing with reality. Meanwhile, non-union companies like Toyota are doing great.

- Last week, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec issued their 2006 budgets. Ontario focused on infrastructure renewal while the big story out of Quebec was paying down the province's debt. I believe that the 1976 Olympics, one of the biggest white elephants in history, will finally be paid off this year. I've never known a public works project to come in under budget. Here's a look at why and here's a look at some questions that governments should be asking themselves before they embark on such grandiose spending plans.

- A lot of folks seem to be writing off Tony Blair. I will be sorry to see him go. Here's why.

- What about this kind of thinking will these guys refuse to recognize?