Raphaelito, a 20th Century Hythlodaeus, came off the Air Canada Jazz flight at the Fort St. John North Peace Airport, pleasantly amused at the sight that welcomed him to the region.
Coming to town, he noticed orange clinics, hospitals, offices, and schools that are well funded and staffed, and booming businesses, reminiscent of William the Silent's Low Countries. This is not Thomas More's Utopia, but a promise kept and delivered by the BC NDP.
The essence of this piece is not to ballyhoo the NDP's accomplishments, though many in just two years with John Horgan at the helm of the government. Most importantly, Statistics Canada reported in its last fall's Economic Insight that the B.C. economy is one of the best in Canada, if not the best.
Looking for proof? Check out the economic activities in Chetwynd, where all hotel accommodation has been snatched up to board workers. There are also reports of many more major strides being taken on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland.
Without being too cynical, we can all agree that substantial changes have come to B.C. Horgan's government has delivered and made positive progress on about three-quarter of its election promises.
I do not have any bashing animus towards the previous government or any of its representatives. But I would very much like our beautiful region to be a successful and progressive part of the province, where our youth can get a very good education without going bankrupt with student loans, our fellow Fort St. Johners have a good paying job, our seniors can retire with dignity into their golden years, and we all can continue to share this pristine territory with our indigenous brothers and sisters.
Whenever the next provincial elections are called, I hope we would join the league of ridings that are affording their constituents sustainable development with a government that will continue to work for its people.
Donald Fajemisin, an NDP member, is an educator and resident of Fort St. John.
- - - -
Email your letters to editor@ahnfsj.ca
