Never let the facts get in the way of a good rant

That would seem to be the former Ambassador's rule, having just ranted about the lack of federal recognition for the site of "the last battle between French and English", or Placentia.

That would be the Battle of Signal Hill, Bill. And the three National Historic Designations in Placentia.

So while Bill Rowe rails about what he calls the "sad neglect by the federal government of many of the historical aspects of Newfoundland and Labrador", he seems to be blissfully unaware, or wilfully blind to, some important facts.

First, there are 94 National Historic Designations in the province, about 5% of the total — larger than the provincial share of the Canadian population or landmass.

Second, the province has nine of the 158 federally-administer National Historic Sites.

And finally, if that amount isn't commensurate with the province's share of Canadian history, then the remedy is easy: start nominating more sites, persons, and events to commemmorate. You see, Bill, this is the really wacky part: the National Historic Designations process is driven by nominations.

The federal government doesn't dole them out of its own mere motion, or on some patronage basis. If you think something is worth federal historical recognition, Bill, anyone, nominate it. Here's how.

PS, Bill — as for L'anse aux Meadows, it is one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Newfoundland and Labrador, one of fourteen in Canada. Two is two more than PEI, NB, MB, or SK, and one more than NS or ON have. Sites are nominated at UNESCO by... that nefarious federal government you rail against. Other recent nominations have included Red Bay, Labrador.