It's been a while, but the Canadian flag is back in the Quebec legislature -- after being banished for nine years.
New Premier Jean Charest ordered the red and white standard be placed next to the fleur-de-lis -- the blue and white provincial flag -- for his swearing-in ceremony this week.
The Parti Quebecois refused to let the maple leaf flag see the light of day, fearing a symbol of federalism would defeat their dream of separation. But Quebec voters took care of that by handing Charest and his Liberal Party a strong majority government.
It seems former premier Bernard Landry didn't realize what the change meant until he saw the red maple leaf.
"I was a bit shocked," Landry said. "The entire English-Canadian media concluded that there is a real federalist (elected premier) for the first time and I think that's true."
Landry hasn't exactly had an affinity for the Canadian flag. Two years ago, he described it as "bits of red rag."
Now, though, he calls it a "respectable" symbol.
"I have nothing against this flag," he told reporters. "I predict it will have a bright future."
The man who'll likely be the next prime minister wants to improve strained U.S.-Canada relations, if chosen by Liberals as their next leader.
Paul Martin says he would establish a new, permanent Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations -- one chaired by the prime minister.
"We have to be much more proactive in the way we approach the United States," Martin told the National Post.
"This goes far beyond relationships between the president and the prime minister.
"It means that parliamentarians, parliamentary committees have got to have much greater relationships with their counterparts in the United States," he added.
"It is not necessary for us to agree with the Americans on issues. What is important is that we explain our position."
Canada's plans to loosen up its marijuana laws may actually hurt its relationship with the U.S.
Prime Minister Jean Chretien says his government will introduce legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.
"Don't start to smoke it right away!" Chretien warned the audience at a Liberal party fundraiser this week, after being applauded. "We're not legalizing it."
U.S. drug czar John Walters's office is keeping a close eye on the Canadian move.
It's suggesting -- even threatening -- border crossings from Canada into the United States may tightened up in retaliation.
"We would have to respond. We would be forced to respond," one of Walter's aides is quoted as saying.
"It's not just Canada's relationship with the United States that would change, it's Canada's relationship with the world."
And finally, a mug shot with a message.
Students at the University of Saskatchewan are using a photograph of British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell in a campaign that's anything but political.
They've printed posters of a photo taken by police in Hawaii after Campbell was picked up for drunken driving.
It shows the 55-year old premier smiling and holding a police sign with this name on it.
Underneath, a message tells students: "Don't Pull a Gordon. Drive Safe."
Campbell was arrested while on a Maui holiday in January.
He was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, failing to drive on the right side of the road and disregarding lane markings.
A roadside sobriety test found he had a blood-alcohol reading of more than twice the legal limit
Campbell pleaded no contest to the charges and paid $913 in fees and fines.
