By Bruce Cameron, Black Press Media Political Affairs Columnist
At this time of year, Charles Dickens害羞草研究所� timeless classic A Christmas Carol springs to mind; however, it is the opening lines of Dickens害羞草研究所� A Tale of Two Cities that sum up where we are as a province as 2021 comes to a close.
害羞草研究所淚t was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.害羞草研究所�
During these tumultuous times, it is easy to forget how blessed we truly are, first as Canadians, but even more specifically as British Columbians.
We live in a verdant paradise of mountains, streams, forests and ocean, and we have one of the world害羞草研究所檚 most advanced economies, plus an open and inclusive democratic system that remains functional. Considering numerous economic and social factors, Numbeo, a self-proclaimed 害羞草研究所渃rowd-sourced 害羞草研究所榗ost of living害羞草研究所� database,害羞草研究所� places B.C.害羞草研究所檚 three biggest cities (Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna) in the top 10 in Canada for quality of life, with Victoria on top.
We live in a beautiful safe place, yet the liberties and opportunities we often take for granted, including personal safety and freedom of expression, are under siege in many parts of the world.
The Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) has sounded the alarm in a recent report on the state of democracy around the world, concluding that 害羞草研究所渢he number of backsliding democracies has doubled in the past decade, now accounting for a quarter of the world害羞草研究所檚 population害羞草研究所ncluding established democracies such as the United States.害羞草研究所� Most alarmingly, IDEA states that 害羞草研究所渢he COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the trend of democratic deterioration.害羞草研究所�
Aside from fundamental political freedoms, there are numerous factors that comprise the standard of living we enjoy, and the quality of life it provides. But looming over those blessings is growing concern in B.C. about the rising cost of living and housing affordability.
In terms of handling health-care challenges and the fight against COVID-19, it may be the best of times in B.C. According to the Angus Reid Institute, B.C. leads the nation in health care performance ratings (49 per cent say the province is doing a good job), and B.C. has consistently posted nation-leading positive ratings for dealing with COVID-19 (66 per cent good job).
But the province also ranks lowest in the country in dealing with other darker threats. The Angus Reid Institute October 2021 study also highlighted abysmal ratings for how B.C. is dealing with housing affordability (85 per cent poor), poverty/homelessness (81 per cent), and dealing with drug use and addictions (77 per cent). The worst of times indeed.
Although the ratings of the B.C. government are harsh on some important social issues, if it is any consolation, government ratings are even worse in other parts of Canada. John Horgan害羞草研究所檚 approval rating remains at over half of the population (56 per cent), but like all other premiers over the past 18 months, Horgan害羞草研究所檚 approval has steadily declined. Federal leadership approval ratings are also anemic, with just one in three Canadians approving of Prime Minister Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 performance, while CPC leader O害羞草研究所橳oole has an even lower approval rating of under one in four Canadians.
Despite Canada害羞草研究所檚 enviable position as a global leader in quality of life, standard of living and dealing with COVID-19, we are in a decidedly 害羞草研究所榖ah-humbug害羞草研究所� mood.
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight.
