The Telegram is reporting today that St. Johns wants the province to change its financial relationship with the capital city. “Currently, the city gets a $3-million annual operating grant from the province, and capital works projects are split 70-30, with the province paying the lion’s share. However, O’Keefe said the city is willing to forgo the grant and pay half the cost of major projects if the province is willing to start paying for its building permits and taxes on provincial buildings, from which it is currently exempt.” As the federal government pays taxes and permit fees for its properties, this is an interesting issue for the Provincial government.