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For Premier Christy Clark and sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½â€™s other politicians, the coming year is a time to put the election behind them and concentrate on running the province — and getting ready for the next election.

After an election victory in May that left British Columbians inside and outside her party stunned, Clark wasted little time in moving ahead on the two topics she credited with attracting voters: growing the economy to create jobs and paying off the provincial debt.

Front and centre is the premier’s commitment to liquefied natural gas, an industry she contends will bring a bonanza and provide the revenue to pay off the debt. Doubts abound about the viability of an industry where we face significant competitors and where no contracts have yet been signed, so making progress is important.

In 2014, progress means getting the tax and regulatory framework through the legislature. The government plans to have the legislation passed by the end of the year. It appears that the first plant wouldn’t be up and running until 2017, which is a year later than originally expected.

Paying down the debt requires not only more revenue, but less spending. The government’s core review, although it is billed as finding efficiencies rather than savings, will ramp up. So far, just a few small announcements, such as eliminating the Provincial Capital Commission, have emerged from the deliberations, but the review is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014, so more — and bigger — announcements are on the way.

With its eyes firmly on LNG and provincial debt, the government must pay attention to the human cost of getting to fiscal Nirvana. Already-announced ferry-service cuts and sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Hydro rate increases will hurt some British Columbians. Ill-considered program cuts through the core review would harm the vulnerable even more.

Clark’s government surprised many by signing five-year deals with more than 60,000 public employees that provide for wage increases and a bonus if the economy does well. If it can reach a deal with teachers, sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ could see a welcome interlude of labour peace.

For the New Democratic Party, 2014 will be a year to look outside at what the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Liberals do, and to look inside at rebuilding their own organization. The election loss was stunning, but after two post-mortem reports, New Democrats disagree on how to create a winning strategy for 2017.

Leader Adrian Dix will surrender the leadership of the party in the fall of 2014, so for much of the year, the leadership contest will consume members’ attention. However, voters expect them to do more. They must be an effective opposition and show themselves to be a credible alternative government.

As Carole James courageously did after she was ousted as leader, Dix is staying on as an MLA; his ability and experience will be needed, both to hold the government to account in the legislature and to prepare for the next election.

Much work lies ahead on both fronts. Clark is putting the pedal to the metal on her promises on LNG. Economic growth, oil-pipeline projects, the core review and the commitment to balance the budget will demand scrutiny from the opposition.

But the future of the province rests not only in the hands of those who sit in the legislature.

Clark cannot make the economy grow by fiat. The people of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ must do the work and create the ideas that will keep the province thriving. Nor is the job of scrutinizing the government to be left entirely to the opposition. We must all share in that task.

As we all share in building a just, compassionate and prosperous society.