Brian Crossman is a partner in Estevan-based Independent Well Servicing. The opinions expressed in this column are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of Independent Well Servicing.
Photo licensed to Brian Zinchuk via Storyblocks
It’s been an interesting year to be sure. On the energy industry/conservative side of things there has been a lot of “negative” energy. The recent federal government budget being very narrowly passed mostly because people don’t care about our children’s future and some shady back-room deals are the immediate issue. There have been many changes in the industry, lethargic commodity prices and many upset people on both sides of the political spectrum. (Mostly on our side) It’s hard to listen to the “elbows up” crowd cheer for spending to supposedly solve a problem they have created in the past ten years and then blame the country’s economic woes on the opposition party who have no control. I backed off my news and social media to some extent for this very reason.
Time to circle back to the beginning. Is the Liberal Budget a shitshow? Absolutely. Someone way smarter than I made a very astute observation. Maybe Mark Carney was trying to force an election, believing that if one was triggered, his party could win a small majority. He could blame it on the opposition for voting against it, possibly swaying public opinion. (With some help from the CBC of course) When you consider the whole thing it’s a win-win for the Prime Minister.
-The budget is passed, we continue down the same path. (This happened, and Carney stayed in)
-The budget is defeated; a non-confidence election is held. Voters are pissed.
-The election is held; the Liberals get a small majority and do whatever they please.
-The election is held; they maintain their minority government, so status quo.
-The lose the election, the seat of power changes, Mark Carney goes back to his previous life, with more deals made for his pals at Brookfield and others. The CPC is left to clean up the largest financial mess in Canadian history (and that’s saying something). None of the above makes any of us feel warm and fuzzy about the future, considering our grandkids will be picking up the tab.
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The Liberal Party of Canada has always been good at playing the long game in the past, and this is no different. As conservatives we need to be more united in what they do and how we act. The recent issues are minimal at best and have been “enhanced” by the unfriendly media, both legacy and social. We have seen this in the past when Stephen Harper was vilified by the same group for running the country in a fiscally responsible manner. Pierre Poilivere is supposedly a terrible person and is angry and divisive, but who wouldn’t be when you watch your beloved country circling the economic drain.
If Mark Carney and the Liberal Party come through with most of the promises made, I will be the first to give them credit. This is especially true in regard to anything that promotes our energy industry. But after the last ten years of Trudeau the junior and what I remember of his father’s leadership many years ago, I am not filled with confidence.
I bumped into a friend of mine recently. I am hesitant to call him an “old” friend, as that implies we are both old. We talked about all the latest “goings on” in the world, and as I said at the start of this, things have sure been interesting to say the least. He has seen his fair share of tragedy in the past few years and would have every right to be bitter. But he maintains that everything will work out for the best. Look for the simple joys in life, spend time with your kids, and your grandkids if you are so blessed. My pal said, “No matter what, there is someone worse off than you.” I’m inclined to agree with him on this.
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- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
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Enjoy the victories, especially the small ones. Didn’t get stuck by that damn train again? That’s a win.
Take the losses like a roughneck. If the well takes a kick, close the pipe rams, set the slips, clear the elevators and install that “stabbing valve.” The job gets tough, push through and it will work out. The same goes for life. (Better yet, have your well control procedure locked down and prevent the kick to begin with)
Put your mistakes in the past, where they belong. Do not dwell on the past. Focus on what you can do going forward.
It doesn’t matter what you do, you are a part of something bigger than yourself. If you aren’t, then start looking for that bigger thing.
Control the things you can, learn about the things you can’t.
Save your resources when you are able. When things slow down, you won’t regret it.
Have some damn fun. We only get one trip on this planet, make the most of it.
Be kind, respectful but firm. Help others when you have the opportunity.
Most of us have a warm place to sleep, food in our bellies with family and friends to reach out to. So, in spite of the ongoing negativity in the world, be it economic, political or personal, try find the positives no matter how small. Trust me, I’m positive about this.
Brian Crossman is a partner at Independent Well Servicing in Estevan. He has started watching season 2 of “Landman” and recommends y’all give it a watch. It doesn’t always instill positivity, but it’s a lot of fun.
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- 0106 SASPO-2874_Self Serve Campaign_New Connects_Youtube_v30106 SASPO-2874_Self Serve Campaign_New Connects_Youtube_v3
- 0105 SaskEnergy Commitment to Safety0105 SaskEnergy Commitment to Safety
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 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
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
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