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Editorial: The best of B.C.

You’re not about to read a tirade on the ever-increasing cost of living in B.C.

No, this space will not be used to lament how overpaid the CEOs of ICBC and BC Ferries are or to bemoan the ridiculous pensions given to pretty much every government official. We won’t go on, ad nauseam, questioning why B.C. residents pay more than any other province for gas, insurance, housing, and pretty much everything else we need to live.

Instead, this space is dedicated to all that is great about being British Columbian – in honour of the best holiday of the year – B.C. Day.

Sure, we may have the worst traffic in the world and the average house in Vancouver fetches a cool $1 million, but all our complaining ends with one breath of forest-fresh air or glance at our spectacular ocean views.

There’s a reason we are all willing to pay a little more to live in B.C. — it’s to be able to live a little more than the rest of the country.

It may have been the slogan of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics but most of us believe that this truly is “the best place on Earth.”

B.C. Day, heralds the arrival of the best month of summer in this province.

Being true British Columbians, we make the most of it. We camp alongside breathtaking  lakes and rivers, with skyscraping mountain views. Or we pack up the car and head to Okanagan wine country.

Many of us prefer to play tourist in our own town, taking the many festivities here in – or adjacent to – the birthplace of B.C.

Our unabashed indulgence in playing hard is a testament to who we are as British Columbians.

We work to play – and we like it that way. Unlike our arch nemeses in Toronto, we know how to have a good time. We know how to put the smartphone down, slap on the sunscreen and not give work another thought until Tuesday rolls around.

We love our seawalls, our  nature trails, White Rock beach,  fireworks, watersports, golfing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and don’t forget, our apres-play socializing — whether it be on a restaurant patio, beside a campfire, on a beach or at a barbecue.

We are the healthiest province in the country, with the lowest cancer rates and spend the least time in front of the TV. So get out there and soak up all that sunshine this long weekend has to offer.