Sir John A. MacDonald’s 198th birthday celebrated as the feds look forward to his 200th

Today, January 11, is Sir John A. MacDonald's birthday.

If he were alive today, our first prime minister would be 198 years old.

To mark the occasion, the federal government is announcing plans for MacDonald's 200th birthday in 2015. According to PostMedia News, they've set aside $870,000 for a "bicentennial commission" and a "new set of Heritage Minute television spots paying tribute to MacDonald."

Now, I understand the need to promote our history: it's about instilling pride and developing a sense of 'Canadiana.' I get that. I also understand that in the big scheme of things $870,000 isn't really a lot of money.

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But, when you add the $870,000 to other monies that the Harper government has spent on historical tributes, it starts becoming significant especially in a time of fiscal austerity.

Let's review, shall we?

In 2012, the government projected to spend $7.5 million for the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations. According to CBC News, they spent another $28 million on War of 1812 commemoration with historical re-enactments, museum exhibitions and a new monument. Maclean's also recently noted that the feds spent $5 million to promote the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede.

Those are the big things; there's also the smaller things that add up for example: the cost of re-branding of the Forces to the 'Royal' Canadian Navy and the 'Royal Canadian Air Force and the cost of renaming the old Ottawa City Hall to the 'John D. Diefenbaker Building.' Last summer, the government even spent $50,000 for an animals in war dedication.

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Sure, these are probably all worthwhile causes and commemorations, but at a time of austerity, of public sector layoffs and when our national debt is now over $600 billion maybe we can't afford it?

Happy Birthday Mr. MacDonald — but my vote is for a smaller party.