Commentary

The year that is about to end was unlike any other in British Columbia’s political history.

When Business in Vancouver first approached me to write this column and speculate about the key issues facing B.C.’s business community in 2018, a few obvious ideas came to mind. Then a few more came to mind. And a few more.

This past year has been a world on fast-forward. From Donald Trump to self-driving cars to Vancouver’s ceiling-less property market, the ground is shifting beneath our feet.

The year ahead is fraught with uncertainty, challenges and opportunities. Blending all three to ensure economic viability and livability is possible, but it will only happen through collaboration and the mindset of taking mitigated risks.

The year 2018 will be the year of the “radical doer” – people whose bias to action makes them too impatient to wait for systems or consensus, convinced that if they do the right thing now, the rest will learn and follow.

The labour movement has always been politically active.

2017 was exciting for B.C.’s content creators.

The coming year will be one of continued progress towards recognition of Indigenous rights and title.

2017 proved to be an intriguing year as it pertained to Indigenous issues, and 2018 promises to be just as interesting. Some highlights of 2017 include the election of four Indigenous MLAs in B.C.

Although B.C. has enjoyed the strongest economy in the country for several years, the benefits have not been shared equally.