The B.C. version of Pick the Name to Blame is now complete and it is (not shockingly) the same name as before. However this time the blame (and potential glory) for almost everything that happens within the province during the next four years will be solely focused on John and his cohorts.
Congratulations are due to Premier Horgan and the NDP for an impressive if not predictable election win. Some suggest Horgan rolled the proverbial political dice with his early election call, but the end result rolled his way.
I was never sure his strategy, if indeed he had one, for the early call. It may have been John saw an opportunity while riding his wave of popularity – due to his firm yet astute guidance of the province through the nasty, deadly epidemic we are trying to live with. Striking while the iron was hot. Regardless the reason – it worked.
Horgan deserves full credit for his return as Premier. In the midst of COVID decimating the nation Horgan maintained a calm but firm decorum attempting to balance the needs of the province and residents while reacting to the demands, suggestions and/or insults by media, other premiers, Trump, health officers, and our federal government.
There is little doubt his steadfast nature will be called into need often during his new reign. COVID 19 is far from done – posing huge social and economical challenges.
Two clear spinoff impacts of the election include the resignation of Andrew Wilkinson as provincial Liberal leader and the rise in awareness and respect for Green leader Sonia Furstenau . It will be interesting to note how the two parties fair over the next few years while providing watchdog status – and how strong they are when the next battle lines are drawn. With an apparent strong leader at the helm the Green party have a solid chance to make radical steps up the popularity ladder in B.C.
Meanwhile Horgan must soldier through the many challenges B.C. and Canada face in the immediate future and long term.
With the B.C. election in the bag many eyes and ears will be focusing on the much nastier and perhaps even more significant election south of our border. The results of the U.S. election will undoubtedly have tremendous impact on Canada and the rest of the world.
Like many others I have deep concerns Trump will continue to lie and deny his way back into the oval office. He is now telling Americans the pandemic is “pretty much over” while promising vaccines for all by December – while the actual case numbers are exploding and no confirmed anti-virus yet exists.
Regardless of the true voter decision there is also reason to be concerned with the response to those results. Trump has already indicated he will not leave quietly should he lose the election. Sadly it seems the general populace of the United States have polarized dramatically once again – leading to even more potential disruption, anger, and perhaps violence following the election.
These are dark times which I hope somehow begin to improve and not spiral further into disarray.
What the U.S. and the world really needs following next week’s election is for the two ‘leaders’ of the two key parties involved to show true leadership. A respectful and calming acceptance of the election outcome will have huge ramifications.
I am anxious for the day to be done and hopefully a change to the better result.
Canadians have good reason to be concerned.
