Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
The media came out in force to attend a press conference at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show on Sept. 11. Too bad the big city media weren’t aware they were in Lloydminster. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
One would think the mainstream which travelled something like three hours to attend a press conference at an oil show, in Lloydminster, might just ask questions that might be relevant to a.) the energy industry, b.) Lloydminster or c.) all the above.
You would think.
And you would be wrong.
I spent the second week of September in Lloydminster attending the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show, an biannual event highlighting the achievements and advancements of the heavy oil industry. It’s prestigious enough to attract the attendance of both Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, both of whom were on stage on Sept. 11 with moderator Deidra Garyk, an energy advocate, to talk about energy.
Immediately after that, a 30 minute press conference was held just down the hall. I was fortunate enough to ask the first question and a follow-up. My initial question was about using carbon dioxide from the Alberta oilsands for enhanced oil recovery, possibly in the region as Husky has done for years. My follow-up was about how Saskatchewan’s new multilateral well incentive has re-invigorated cold oil production near Lloydminster.
Both questions were relevant to the energy industry and Lloydminster, I thought. And as I specialize in energy reporting in Saskatchewan, that should be expected. But you’d think the mainstream media reporters could try, at least a bit, to stay on topic?
Nope.
The question right after mine came from a CBC Alberta reporter. She asked not about oil, or Lloydminster, but about cabinet ministers and hockey tickets.
Sure, that might be a significant story while in Edmonton, when there’s ample opportunity to ask about such things. But what about Lloydminster and its oil show? Her follow-up was also about hockey tickets.
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To its credit, City News did talk about renewing defunct pipeline projects like Keystone XL. But that focus soon lost.
Global News then asked about the Edmonton Police commission and an overcrowded high school in Edmonton.
Thankfully another questioner, from local media, asked Moe about energy challenges and infrastructure for municipalities. At least that was kinda sorta energy-related. And then he asked about nuclear reactors. So that was energy-related.
A local radio station asked about Lloydminster issues regarding health and education, and followed up with a question about RCMP funding. At least these were local.
But then City got the last question in, asking about a light rail project in Calgary.
My point in all this? The big city mainstream media is so myopic that it simply can’t show much, or any, attention to issues impacting either the smaller centres, in this case Lloydminster, or energy. Their only focus tends to be on big city issues. In the brief moment Lloydminster and its energy sector was in the spotlight, there should have been no discussion of trains in Calgary or schools in Edmonton. And if there’s a question about hockey tickets, save it for when you’re in Edmonton.
So do I feel smug in that I took a whole day to drive to Lloydminster, spent three days on the ground, attended all the functions of the oil show, took part in two podcasts, talked to many of the exhibitors, and drove a full day driving home, all at my own expense? Yes, I do. Because I put an effort in to highlight Lloydminster. And I am working on pile of stories that do just that.
That’s because there are a lot of stories to tell. Lloydminster is important. I’ve been coming to this show for 16 years, and will be doing the same for many years to come.
The big legacy media? Well, I think you get the idea.
Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@pipelineonline.ca.
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- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
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