MARTIN SKIPS FAIR FOR DESMARAIS LAIR

While Canada's next Prime Minister may have disappointed some in the cattle stalls at the annual Brome Lake fair for not showing up Saturday as he traditionally does, others will understand his need to answer a command performance from Power Corp big wheel Paul Desmarais who phoned him personally while he was ensconsed at his Iron Hill estate where he was, who knows, pondering Charolais bulls and, yes, handsome fawn runner ducks. But Desmarais was throwing a big to-do at his new "money no object" Malbaie chateau, with guests including fishing buddies Brian Mulroney and George Bush Sr. So, the pitch was made for Martin to begin rebuilding bridges with the Bush clan to the benefit of all who aspire to see a re-birth in Canada-USA relations. While it remains unclear whether Desmarais will bill one of his public companies for the costs of the ostentatious schmoozer, which one paper described as a soiree to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Desmarais' marriage to Jackie, to raise a toast to his wife on her 75th birthday, and to mark the completion of their stunning summer chateau near Murray Bay, where they own a hunting lodge, those in the know insist that Martin will traipse through the Brome fairgrounds sometime today.