Opinion by Chad Dashly

People are tired. Not just politically tired. Financially tired. Emotionally tired. Tired of working harder every year only to watch groceries climb, housing drift further out of reach, and small businesses struggle under the weight of taxes, regulation, and uncertainty.

And while regular people tighten their belts, governments keep acting like the solution to every problem is another announcement, another consultant, another bureaucracy.

The disconnect is growing.

You can feel it when young people quietly admit they may never own a home in the communities where they grew up. You can feel it when seniors choose between prescriptions and groceries. You can feel it when small business owners—the backbone of every town in this province—wonder whether it’s still worth the risk to keep going.

British Columbians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for competence. Stability. Common sense.

That is why political movements across Canada are changing so quickly right now. People are no longer satisfied with polished talking points and carefully scripted politics. They want leaders who understand what it feels like to run payroll, balance a household budget, or worry about the future their kids are inheriting.

The rise of grassroots conservative energy in BC is not happening because people suddenly became angry overnight. It is happening because many voters feel ignored by institutions that no longer seem connected to everyday life.

And here’s the reality many political insiders still fail to understand: this isn’t just about ideology anymore. It’s about trust.

Trust that governments will spend responsibly.

Trust that public safety matters.

Trust that hard work still means something.

Trust that communities—not just political brands—come first.

At the same time, conservatives also face a choice. Winning frustration is easy. Building confidence is harder.

British Columbians do not want endless outrage. They want steady leadership. They want solutions that lower the temperature instead of raising it. They want leaders who can disagree without dividing neighbours against each other.

The next phase of politics in BC will belong to the people who understand both sides of that equation:

• the frustration people feel,
• and the hope they still want to believe in.

Because despite everything, British Columbians remain remarkably resilient. Communities still show up for each other. Volunteers still carry organizations that governments alone cannot replace. Entrepreneurs still take risks. Families still sacrifice to build something better.

That spirit is still here.

The question now is whether political leadership can catch up to the people it is supposed to serve.

Lyme Disease Surge Linked to Climate Change and Local Exposure

Montreal public health officials have confirmed that the city reached an unprecedented milestone in 2025, recording its highest number of Lyme disease cases to date. A total of 161 cases were documented in the agency’s latest annual report, marking a significant increase from the 113 cases reported just one year prior. Most notably, nearly 38 per cent of these infections—61 cases—are believed to have occurred directly on the island of Montreal, reinforcing the city’s status as an endemic zone for the black-legged ticks that carry the bacteria.

Dr. Nicolas Sheppard-Jones, medical lead for infectious disease public health emergencies, noted that the rise is not unexpected given the northward migration of tick populations. Health experts point to climate change as a primary driver, as warming temperatures create more hospitable environments for ticks to thrive in urban gardens and parks. Previously, most cases seen in Montreal were imported from Ontario or the United States, but local transmission has now become the dominant trend.

Demographics and Hospitalization Risks

The 2025 data reveals that older adults are particularly vulnerable, with Montrealers aged 50 to 69 accounting for the largest share of infections. Children are not exempt, however, with 22 cases recorded in the 0-14 age bracket. While Lyme disease is often treated effectively with antibiotics, roughly six per cent of patients required hospitalization due to severe complications affecting the heart, joints, and neurological systems.

Interestingly, many patients were unaware they had been bitten; only 14 per cent reported seeing a tick on their skin. Activities as common as gardening and yard maintenance were cited by 39 per cent of those infected locally, highlighting that the risk extends beyond deep-forest hiking into residential backyards.

Prevention and Immediate Action

Public health officials are urging residents to adopt new habits to mitigate risk. Recommendations include wearing long clothing, using approved tick repellents, and staying on marked paths during outdoor activities. Experts emphasize the importance of a ‘tick check’ and showering within two hours of returning home to remove unattached ticks. If a bite is discovered, the tick should be removed carefully with tweezers without crushing the abdomen, and the incident should be reported via 811 to determine if preventative antibiotics are necessary.

Joint Investigation Links Surrey and Abbotsford Violent Incidents

In a significant development for British Columbia’s ongoing battle against organized extortion, a 22-year-old man is facing a slew of serious charges following a multi-jurisdictional investigation. Gursewak Singh has been charged with more than a dozen offenses, including arson, extortion, and various weapons charges, in connection with a series of violent events that rocked Surrey and Abbotsford in late 2025.

The investigation reached a turning point when the Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) combined their forensic resources. Authorities say Singh was initially apprehended following a shooting at a business near King and Townline roads in Abbotsford on December 17. Subsequent investigations by the SPS Organized Crime Unit and AbbyPD’s Extortion Task Force linked Singh to two additional violent incidents that occurred in Surrey just days prior.

A Trail of Fire and Gunfire

The timeline of violence began on the morning of December 14, 2025, when gunfire was directed at a business near 120th Street and 80th Avenue in Surrey. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Only 24 hours later, emergency crews were called to a parking lot on Old Yale Road, where two vehicles had been intentionally set ablaze. Police confirmed that both targeted businesses had previously received extortion threats.

“Our organized crime unit reached out based on information disseminated by Abbotsford,” said SPS spokesperson Sgt. Ali Gailus. “Through those discussions and various forensic avenues, they were able to determine this individual was responsible for all three incidents.” Despite the severity of the charges, Gailus noted that Singh did not have a prior criminal record and was not previously known to local law enforcement.

Broader Trends in Regional Extortion

This arrest comes amid a surge in extortion-related crimes across the Lower Mainland. Recent data from the Surrey Police Service revealed 98 reported extortion incidents in the city as of May 2024, with 16 cases involving the use of firearms. While the RCMP has noted a slight overall decrease in these activities due to the efforts of the B.C. Extortion Task Force, the case against Singh underscores the persistent threat posed to local business owners.

Singh remains in custody and is scheduled for a court appearance this Friday. As the investigation continues, authorities are working with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) regarding Singh’s status in the country, though the agency has declined to comment citing privacy regulations.