Every time a new year begins, I always wonder whether politicians will change their behaviour when it comes to some key issues over the next 12 months. Or will they simply stick to the old ways, even if doing so weakens their credibility?
Politicians can be very stubborn, so I suspect little change, but no matter.
Here are some examples of what to look for from our elected representatives in the coming year:
* Will Premier Christy Clark and her government continue to boast that their so-called B.C. Jobs Plan is working?
It is not, at least not right now.
It may in the future, but despite more than $10 million in government advertising touting its success before the May election, the finance ministry's own numbers from its most recent quarterly financial report tell the real story: there were about 2,600 fewer jobs in B.C. in 2013 than the year previous.
Nevertheless, the B.C. Liberals show no signs of backing off their claim of success of job creation. I suppose if they keep making that kind of claim, eventually they will be correct. But we're not there yet.
* During the upcoming NDP leadership race, will the candidates continue to insist the positions of the environmental movement and the private sector natural resource industry can be accommodated in the same political platform?
The positions are untenable, but I expect leadership candidates will try to have everything both ways, to avoid rocking the ship.
It's simply a way of saying: "Let's not talk about this right now because everyone will get mad at each other."
But it's an issue the NDP cannot avoid forever, no matter how hard the party tries to paper things over.
* Will the federal Opposition parties continue to equate pretty well anything the Harper government does with some kind of assault on democracy that will imperil our lives?
It's almost as if Prime Minister Stephen Harper's political opponents have succumbed to some kind of syndrome that causes them to view all concerns with his government's policies with the same horror, much of it exaggerated.
I suspect this approach willonly serve to work for the prime minister come election time.
* Will next spring's provincial Throne Speech again mention that paying off the provincial debt remains a realistic goal in the near future?
The government's own books show the debt climbing to more than $66 billion in the coming year, and close to $70 billion the following year. If those much-touted liquefied natural gas plants are ever built - a big "if" - the revenues to government may be enough to entertain the thought of paying off the debt.
But we are a long, long, long way from that.
Of course, all these contradictory facts were pointed out during the recent election campaign, but it didn't seem to matter with the voters.
* Will the B.C. government continue to insist it is "transparent and open" about things?
Their track record suggests otherwise, as journalists and researchers continue to complain about difficult freedom of information requests (for example, many government documents are completely blanked out when they are released).
When I hear a "transparent and open" claim coming from any government these days I tend to think "secretive and closed."
* Will the B.C. NDP continue to try to raise money by sending out fundraising letters that suggest donating to that party will actually help change B.C. Liberal government policy, as the party has done over the issue of rising B.C. Hydro rates?
If you think sending the NDP $50 or $100 will force the B.C. Liberals to lower B.C. Hydro rate hikes, I have some very valuable land in Florida to sell you.
* Will Premier Christy Clark shed her aversion to Victoria and allow the legislature to have a fall sitting in October?
Clark has stated she thinks the legislature is a toxic place, akin to a "cancer" where nothing but bad things happen. Of course, not having the legislature in session allows her government to avoid scrutiny much of the year, which is unhealthy for democracy (no matter your own personal political views).
* Will politicians, from any party, insist from time to time that something "is not about politics"?
Of course, this usually means that particular something is precisely about politics. When you hear him or her say this, run.
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Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global B.C. He can be reached at [email protected].
