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As mesmerizing as it is to follow President Donald Trump’s daily/hourly antics, Canadians and British Columbians need to focus on what’s happening here.

In May, voters will choose a new B.C. government and members of the federal Conservative Party will choose a new leader to challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

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And while it may be comforting that The Economist and others believe that Canada and British Columbia are shining beacons of light and hope, the truth is that everything is not OK. And voters know it.

Population growth and highly visible wealth in Vancouver have masked some stark and troubling issues. Economic growth is stagnant. The B.C. Liberals promised jobs and revenue from LNG development that never materialized and may never.

There are festering social problems, not least of which is a housing crisis. Illicit drugs are killing users at an unprecedented rate. Ninety-one per cent of seniors’ residential homes fail to meet the ministry guidelines for care. Privatization of foster care is only one of the many reasons that children like Alex Gervais have suffered excruciating maltreatment.