Back on Jan. 1, 2016, I had no idea how the year would shape up. And as Jan. 1, 2017 approaches, I again have no idea what to expect.
I know that, early next week, I’ll get a letter in the mail telling me my house is worth way more than I ever thought it would be. I know that I’ll be paying more for hydro, car insurance and a host of other utilities. I know that my paycheque will be a bit lower since I now have to contribute to CPP and EI again. I also know there will be a political onslaught, given that we have an election coming up on May 9.
Throughout 2016, we were all glued to our televisions and mobile devices watching the U.S. election, which ended with Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton. On Jan. 1, 2016, I did not see that coming. But the hint of things to come was earlier in the year with Brexit. The level of frustration with the status quo, where people felt they were being talked to and not listened to, bled throughout the fabric of the U.S. and Britain. The results were unexpected, and a little shocking to say the least.
Will those events shape the election in B.C.? Will the candidates go to that extreme to try and garner votes? It all depends on whether people buy the rhetoric or not — there was much misinformation along the way, fueled online and in social media.
It’s a simple formula for an election — government hands out a few goodies to people and says we are on the right track, steady as she goes. The opposition says things are going to heck in a handbasket, the world will end unless there is a change. For the most part, the public has already decided who they will vote for, based on long held beliefs.
We lament that we want the best people in government. We complain that governments are self-serving, only looking to get themselves elected again. And we wonder why we don’t get the results we want. It’s simple — most people want what they think will work, even if it won’t, and that’s what they vote for. Policy is complicated, and writing policy in public is a bad idea. But that’s what it takes to get elected. I guess that’s why Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”
So what will shape Election ‘17? Will something crop up that will send the government packing, or will we stick with what we have? It usually comes back to the economy and jobs.
B.C. has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. We led the country in growth for the last six years, but a cooling housing market will slow growth slightly, according to an RBC economic forecast. Equifax says that 90-day delinquency rates on non-mortgage debt have been falling for the last five quarters, going back to the third quarter of 2015. Insolvencies have fallen dramatically since July. People are working and paying their bills. Bodes well for the current government.
Have a safe, happy New Year, and if you drink on New Year’s Eve, call Operation Red Nose (604-943-0460) for a ride home!
Brad Sherwin, MBA has over 25 years’ experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He is currently the director of marketing for a national non-profit organization.
