All indications are that 2017 will be a year to remember. There are a multitude of regional, provincial, national and international stories sure to catch our attention in the coming months. But how those stories play out are anything but a forgone conclusion.
After decades of heated debate punctuated by decisions followed by backtracking, will the Capital Regional District finally get a sewage treatment plant? It would appear that the CRD board and expert panel have agreed on a site at Esquimalt’s McLoughlin Point. But we’ve been here before, and wouldn’t be surprised by a few more unexpected episodes playing out before the shovels get in the ground.
The province will head to the polls in May. Can Christy Clark lead the B.C. Liberals to a fifth consecutive mandate? It would appear to be a tossup at the moment, and it’s still a mystery as to what issues will dominate the campaign. Taxes, the minimum wage, health care, job creation and pipelines – there’s no end to the list of issues that British Columbians are passionate about.
Speaking of pipelines, will the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion actually move forward this year? The answer, how this plays out, will be much more interesting than the question.
The fact the federal government has given its stamp of approval for this pipeline expansion seems to be more of a starting point for this story, rather than a conclusion.
And then there’s the uncharted waters our neighbours to the south will soon be navigating. Will a President Donald Trump make America great again? Or are we entering an age of religious intolerance, trade wars, nuclear proliferation and legislation that will exacerbate the growing income inequality?
We should know the answers soon enough. And no matter how 2017 eventually does play out, you can be sure it’s going to be one hell of a ride.