Monday August 2, 2021 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
Today Premier John Horgan has issued a statement in celebration of B.C. Day.
This leadership reflection comes in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic (the pandemic was declared on March 17, 2020) and as a potential fourth wave looms (Delta variant, not full vaccination including children under age 12 completely unvaccinated and many young adults heading to post-secondary this fall not being fully vaccinated).
The economy was ably supported through the pandemic but remains in disarray in many ways, including the huge hit to tourism and small businesses, and at different points to public transit.
While Horgan mentions this being the 150th year of confederation, there is no jubilant celebration of that to the degree one might expect in a normal year. He refers to ‘dark chapters’ and there’s no point pushing luck with regard to mass celebration during a continuing pandemic.
The statement is very light on economic measure of the pandemic. The current wildfire challenge is highlighted.
Horgan himself likes the British origins of the ‘banging of pots’ to recognize front-line health-care workers, and asks British Columbians to step outside at 7 pm this evening to “make noise”. It’s a jarring disruptive sound and energy to do that. Perhaps positive posts in social media with genuine words of gratitude (and a pledge to get vaccinated) might more poignantly make the point.
BC Premier John Horgan’s full statement on BC Day 2021:
“On B.C. Day, we celebrate this beautiful place we call home and reflect on the history of our province.
“There is much to be proud of and grateful for in British Columbia. We are surrounded by unmatched natural beauty, abundant resources and thriving communities that people from around the world call home.
“By working together, British Columbians have pulled through one of the most challenging times in our province’s history. We helped fight the COVID-19 pandemic by following public health advice and getting immunized in record numbers.
“This B.C. Day, I encourage everyone take a moment to recognize the health-care workers, first responders and so many others who worked tirelessly through the pandemic. Tonight at 7 p.m., I ask everyone to step out onto their lawns or balconies and join me in making some noise for our front-line workers.
“Now, we are confronted with a new challenge. As wildfires threaten our province, I have no doubt that people will once again step up, look out for one another and help those in need, because that is what we do as British Columbians.
“This year also marks the 150th anniversary of B.C. joining confederation. While there are many proud moments in the story of British Columbia, there are also dark chapters. Colonialism has left a legacy that continues to inflict pain upon people and perpetuate systems of racism and discrimination.
“Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, on whose territories all people in British Columbia are privileged to live, is a responsibility we all share. It will take all of us working together to dismantle the barriers that far too many people still experience in their daily lives and build a more inclusive province.
“There are challenging days ahead, but British Columbians are more than equal to the task. We are resilient, hard-working people, and together we are going to build a stronger British Columbia for everyone.”
Premier John Horgan is the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.
===== RELATED:
Premier’s Statement on BC Day 2020 – during year 1 of the COVID pandemic (August 3, 2020)
July 31 COVID: 50 more cases in BC on eve of 2020 BC Day long weekend (July 31, 2020)
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS:
Step 3 of reopening (summer 2021)
BC Centre for Disease Control – COVID-19 information and statistics
