These are exciting times in British Columbia; Our economy is diverse, strong and growing.

Part of our province's success has been our ability to introduce three consecutive balanced budgets -- and this year we will likely be the only province in Canada to do so.

When it comes into force next year, British Columbia's new Water Sustainability Act (WSA) will ensure our water is properly regulated, protected and conserved for future generations.

If you are a job seeker with an understanding of coding - even the basics - you've got a competitive edge that employers are seeking.

Small businesses are the heart and soul of our province and unnecessary red tape costs them time and money. We want entrepreneurs to be able to focus on what matters - creating jobs and spurring innovation.

The province is committed to helping local communities throughout B.C. manage deer and other wild animals in urban environments.

People who work to keep us safe often do so in dangerous places. Think about

working on the side of a highway with barely more than a meter between traffic and a guard rail.

After three years of planning, we anticipate British Columbia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry will take flight in 2015 as leading proponents make final decisions to move forward with some of the largest capital projects in our province's history.

As housing matters to all of us, the time has come to look to forward, to direct our investments to meet the coming housing needs of British Columbians.

As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, British Columbia is also celebrating the beginning of a new trade relationship with one of our province's top trade partners in the Asia-Pacific region - South Korea.

Looking back at 2014, this has been a year of revitalizing partnerships between First Nations and the Province of British Columbia and focusing on reconciliation to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people.