There are so many pressing issues that will have to be resolved, it's easy to guess what will be in the news headlines in 2016. Here are six of The Tri-City News' top picks.
1. Physician Assisted death: In 2015, the Supreme Court gave federal and provincial governments 12 months to craft legislation to respond to its overturning of a ban on physician-assisted death. Provincial ministers of health will have to come up with a plan that ensures consistency of treatment across the country.
2. Regulations for cannabis clinics: Canada needs national standards and regulations for marijuana clinics that are cropping up across the country to ensure safety and consistency for patients and to protect children.
3. Transportation funding: With the regional mayor's transportation plan defeated in a referendum, a new way forward must be found to ensure funding is available for transit and that tolls are applied fairly. Without a plan in place, there might not be enough buses to get people to the Evergreen Line.
4. Riverview protection: There is a clear divide between the demands of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, the province's insistance of a break-even mandate and the public's demand that heritage be protected, trees are saved and mental health facilities are available for those who need them. A master plan that balances all these concerns is necessary and should be forthcoming in the coming months.
5. Byelection: A date will soon be picked for a byelection to replace Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Doug Horne who resigned to run federally. Candidates in the race have been picked and the results could be a harbinger of things to come for the 2017 general election.
6. Dealing with trash: The fact that Metro Vancouver has cancelled plans for a trash incinerator because waste volumes are down is good news. But people are unhappy with the current recycling system and cities could be on the hook for fines if people don't separate their garbage properly. As well, bears are still being drawn to neighbourhoods where garbage is easy to get. More attention to this will be key in 2016.
These are sure to be some of the hot topics in the coming year. Let's hope they get resolved soon. Happy New Year.
