Premier reviews 2024, looks ahead to 2025
By Province of British Columbia
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking the new year:
“Tonight, people in British Columbia and around the world will celebrate the year gone by and welcome the year ahead. If your family is like mine and has small children (or very tired adults), it may begin with a celebration closer to bedtime than midnight.
“For many of you, 2024 was a time of challenges and uncertainty. Still, we came together to lift each other up in a variety of ways, including volunteering in our communities, opening our homes to evacuees during the wildfire season and generously giving over the holiday season.
“In 2024, we started to see some results on issues you asked our government to work on. While we expanded affordable child care, helped more people get a family doctor and delivered more homes for the middle class, I know there is a lot more to do.
“The new year is a time to reflect on lessons learned and set goals for the future. I have heard that you want our government to work harder to tackle the issues that you and your family are talking about around the kitchen table. That is our focus for 2025 and beyond.
“For families struggling with everyday costs driven by global inflation, we are going to deliver a middle-income tax cut in 2025, and every year after. We will also review health authorities to make sure your tax dollars are being spent efficiently on strengthening health care in your community. We will continue to connect people to family doctors through our Health Connect Registry so everyone can get the high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.
“For young people who are being priced out of their communities, we will build homes you can afford by cracking down on speculation, breaking down barriers to home construction and helping you buy your first home.
“For workers and small business owners, we will build a stronger, cleaner economy that benefits everyone. We will continue to work with our partners to fight against unfair trade threats as we diversify our economy. And we will work to reduce permitting times to ensure certainty in the years ahead.
“We will do all this work in partnership with Indigenous people, while working toward true and lasting reconciliation.
“Despite all the challenges we face, you – the hardworking people of B.C. – make me more optimistic about our future than ever. Together, we can build a sustainable, prosperous province where everyone can get ahead and no one gets left behind.
“Tonight, my family and I will share our hopes and dreams for 2025. Baby Gwen isn’t speaking in full sentences yet, but I can already tell she’s excited to start walking next year. In the same way, step by step – and with the support of one another – we will tackle the big challenges we are all facing and build a province we can all be proud of.
“From my family to yours, happy new year!”
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