B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell went from the euphoric high of winning a third straight election to watching his government's popularity crash to record lows this year.
In a year-end interview with CTV British Columbia legislative bureau chief Jim Beatty, Campbell acknowledged it hasn't been easy.
"It's been a very turbulent year, a very challenging year personally," he said. "It was about 25 years ago today that I was first sworn into public life and I can tell you this is by far the most challenging year I've ever experienced in public life."
Polls show three-quarters of British Columbians feel deceived. Not long after the election, Campbell surprised everyone by imposing the harmonized sales tax.
And later, he admitted B.C.'s deficit would be six times higher than promised.
But Campbell makes no apologies on the unpopular HST.
"I regret not having the time to consult, but I don't regret that we took the initiative that we did," he said.
The Olympics will be a major boost for the province in 2010.
But one of the biggest challenges in the year ahead may be settling contracts with almost all of B.C.'s public servants. Layoffs are possible.
"We have to contain and control our costs in the public sector while we protect important public services which is what we intend to do," Campbell said.
For B.C. taxpayers, the tough times may result in more spending cuts.
"There are tough decisions that have got to be made," Campbell said. "When you lay out a budget, it calls on us to make tough decisions."
Campbell said he has no plans to retire.
"You know, I'm excited and energized by it so I'm hoping I get to carry on, but that will obviously be up to the people of British Columbia," he said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
