Photo licensed to Brian Zinchuk via Storyblocks
I was having a coffee and some conversation with an industry friend a while back. We exchanged ideas about the direction and future of oil and gas, along with everything else in general. This led the discussion to the possibility of a new pipeline to the British Columbia coast. Which these days inevitably leads to the unpopular but unavoidable topic of politics. He is of the same opinion as I and many others in the industry, which is “believe it when we see it.” Despite the initial good feeling about the news, many in the industry are skeptical, and rightfully so. Previous history demonstrates that as a country we can’t seem to find consensus on many things, and energy infrastructure is at the top of that list. If it’s Quebec and Ontario to the east, or coastal BC to the west, there is always a roadblock, be it philosophical, cultural and even literal on occasion. His feeling is we need to find a way to get along, find common ground and demonstrate how these projects benefit all Canadians. To shorten his point he was making, “We all just need to be good neighbors.”
My friend made an excellent point. Even though we all live in different parts of the country, and have many differences, we are essentially all neighbors. While I’m sure all of us have had neighbors we couldn’t always agree with, the best option is to get along and help each other out. He told me some stories from his youth (repairing roof on his family home was one of his examples) and also lately about how neighbors always came together and help each other out when times are tough and help is needed. It reminded me (and I bet most of y’all) of growing up on the farm of how my dad would help out our local friends and neighbors with any number of things, and how they would repay in kind when we needed a hand as well. My siblings and I were often recruited to pitch in on these endeavors. I promise you we complained a bit, but the long-term effects were as good as any education available in school. It is just the way life in a community is supposed to be.
- 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
The provinces of our country shouldn’t be any different. Sure, we can have our differences, but for the common good of Canadians we need to pull together and get along. Just a few months ago, the newly minted Prime Minister promised “free trade” between provincial borders. (One would think that this would have been policy since 1867) Naturally, there is always differences between regions. These differences are often many, ranging from language, culture, philosophy, geography and economics. The common thread is we are all neighbors, and neighbors are supposed to help each other and pull together when times are tough. Its not always easy, but with some conversation, negotiation and mutual respect anything is possible. We are a country after all.
Most businesses, even when competing with each other can still find ways to get along. We see it in agriculture, mining and of course our own energy industry. It is always mutually beneficial when we help each other out.
Maybe somebody can correct me on this, but has Saskatchewan ever been a bad neighbor? Sure, we ship some bad weather on occasion, usually because Alberta or Montana passed it along first. (Sorry Manitoba) I honestly can’t remember if we ever have. We’ve given hundreds of millions of dollars to Eastern Canada (you’re welcome, by the way) and more importantly sent thousands of young people to the rest of Canada (and the world) for many, many years. This has slowed dramatically as the opportunities have increased, but the rest of Canada. There was a time when half-jokingly “young people” were the biggest Saskatchewan export. Even today when you talk to people from all over and they’ll hire a good Saskatchewan farm boy any day.
- 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
If only the rest of the country could learn from this example. Provinces like Quebec (a country, really) have gone out of their way to make progress for other parts of the country very difficult. Well at least the leadership, not so much individual Quebecers. This in spite receiving $13.6 billion from equalization per year which is part of the $30 billion in total transfer payments from mostly Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. And as good neighbors we will continue to provide financial aid to the ROC. We don’t expect gratitude; we just ask for more cooperation to facilitate this. Recently British Columbia made it too difficult (five to ten years approval) for Nutrien (Potash) to build a facility at the Port of Vancouver, so they are building it in the USA. While this is not energy-related, it demonstrates the lack of concern by the powers that be in British Columbia to work on something that benefits Saskatchewan resources and the tax base of Canada. Danielle Smith has already hinted at a pipeline into the states to ship oil through Washinton or Oregon. When you hear about these possibilities it only stokes to fires of separatist movements.
At the end of the day, I would like to believe that all Canadians want what’s best for the entire country and that can move past the regional difference. We always hear the phrase “diversity is our strength.” I won’t disagree with that, but I believe “unity is our true superpower.” The idea that all Canadians no matter what creed, colour or political beliefs can be united (unity) as opposed to diversity (divided) on promoting what is best for all really appeals to me. I hope it appeals to some of you as well.
Brian Crossman is a partner at Independent Well Servicing in Estevan. He wishes every Canadian a prosperous and happy 2026.
- 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