Submitted by Sooke businesses and groups    |      January 2, 2010 (updated Jan.6)

The 2009 UN Copenhagen Climate Summit made it clear that all Humans on this planet must voluntarily make drastic reductions in the way we produce carbon dioxide and other items which create atmospheric damages.
In Sooke, it is in our best interest to immediately begin to design our way of life to exceed reduction of our emissions beyond any of the Kyoto required emissions, before we are forced by governments and/or other countries to rapidly change our way of life, causing huge personal and financial burden to those not prepared.
~ Jim Matei, President, HBM Canada Manufacturing Inc., Sooke, BC

Well actually I'd hate to be an economic forecaster these days as there is much to consider. News from the US is not promising and Canada is not closely enough linked with emerging world economies. China recently passed Japan as the #2 global economy and all we sell them is coal and lumber - good for BC but... no province is an island (except PEI but China grows their own potatoes and only the Japanese enjoy Anne of Green Gables.) One consideration is that although China has just surpassed Japan, they do have over 1 billion citizens versus Japan's 65 million - there is a lot of catching up to do and moves like China's are indicators of the future but they are currently little more than figurative leaps. Locally, I think that intangible goods will be sold in greater numbers online and at factory outlets/superstores but the tangibles like food, some clothing, shoes, beverages can only be conveyed by personal contact. I would not like to be in the business of providing intangible goods and services...soft products. As economic times trend downward people might be going out less frequently but they will still allow themselves the simple pleasures - e.g. iTunes purchases instead of concerts, lattes with friends instead of dinners out. We're a consumer society and we won't be easily swayed from our history by bad economic news but we will learn to tone-down our purchases. ~ David Evans, Owner, Stick in the Mud Coffee House, Sooke, BC

Transition to a fully-integrated techno-communications lifestyle will reach critical mass in 2010, and anyone not connected by the very least of the wireless gadgets and services (including email, cell phone, blackberry, Twitter, Facebook, web-banking, online shopping, etc.) will soon quickly burdened by a lack of swiftness in messaging and commerce. However, while this seems counter-trend, I also predict that the love and passion for reading on paper will not diminish but will instead by ever-more cherished as a private, intimate experience with the written word and one's own thoughts. ~ Mary P. Brooke, Publisher/Editor, MapleLine Magazine, Sooke, BC

With over 80% growth in solar electricity in BC last year during a downturned economy, we are expecting very big numbers this year. ~ Ed Knaggs, Home Energy Solutions, Victoria, BC

I think the housing market will be active earlier in the year than usual, because people will want to get moved and established in their new homes (with new appliances, etc) before the HST kicks in at the beginning of July. ~ Helen Jones, Realtor, Victoria, BC

2010 will see increasing partnerships among local organizations, businesses and government in Sooke. This will help provide sustainable support to volunteers and organizations in arts and culture, recreation and sports, and health and social services.  ~ The Sooke Region CHI steering committee

The Sooke Canada Day Society will be celebrating 15 years in 2010 and we need the people’s ideas, becoming members, and financial help, to make this event continue. We can be reached through www.canadadaysooke.ca or by phone 250-642-4572. ~ Judithe Ann Gatto, Sooke, BC

Our prediction for 2010 ... we can SEE the future... slow steady growth for Sooke business by giving service and extra value. Happy New Year to all. ~ Ron Boyce, Diamond Optical, Sooke, BC

MM

Submit your prediction about Sooke for 2010. Write to news@maplelinemagazine.com

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