For most of us in the Cariboo Chilcotin, it was business as usual in 2016, most of the awful stuff (wars, terrorist attacks) was happening somewhere else. It’s hard to know what 2017 will bring. Some say, it will be worse than this year worldwide. Maybe not but for sure there will be challenges.
Locally we should be OK economically if the mines and mills stay open, but there’s always that “if.” Ore prices could drop, and the U.S. could be snarky about the softwood lumber agreement. The cattle industry has survived ups and downs for well over a century, there is no reason that won’t continue, so barring disastrous wild fires or other attacks from nature we should be OK.
Provincially there are worries over pipelines, BC Hydro running amok, and vehicle and medical insurance fees going up. Food costs could go up too because of droughts and our low loonie. It’s hard to say what difference the May election will make.
There are potential dangers globally but we have one advantage. We live in Canada, and that’s the best place to be at this time in history. Our 150th birthday as a country happens in 2017, and while Canada is an infant on the world stage, it’s quality that counts and we have plenty of that. We might whine and grouch,we are free to do that. We might be disappointed in Prime Minister Trudeau because he’s turned out to be less than we hoped for, but at least he isn’t Donald Trump. I don’t know what public events are planned for the birthday but we don’t really need celebrations to appreciate what we have or who we are.
I’m borrowing my New Year’s wish from a post on the Internet for seniors.
“Let’s spread the laughter, share the cheer, Let’s be happy, while we’re still here.
For you younger folks, I hope 2017 keeps all the ups from 2016 for you and none of the downs.
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The other day I asked a friend how she was doing and she said she was in neutral. Me too.
Diana French is a freelance columnist, former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.
