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.
Brad Wall. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
I have several friends that always ask me, “When is Brad Wall running for prime minister?” The guys asking are almost exclusively from Alberta; Calgary, in particular. I think that the reason they ask is based on two things. One, the less-than-desirable federal government currently in power, and two, Alberta has struggled for a solid well-rounded leader on its own. So once again they look to Saskatchewan. You know, Saskatchewan. The province that provided at least half the population of Alberta. True story. The part that makes me laugh is when they ask me, it’s like they believe Brad and I are buddies and are on a first name basis. As in, “So Brian, when is your buddy Brad running for prime minister?”
But that’s the thing, isn’t it? The former premier of Saskatchewan seems like that guy. Firstly, he is like your buddy across the back alley. Smart, funny, has good opinions, and makes fun of himself at every opportunity. He’d probably crack you a cold beer, if you hadn’t given him one first. When he was premier, he was always made good points, spoke the truth, and cracked wise when the situation required it. He was then and still seems by all accounts very approachable.
Mr. Wall and his team did something that pretty much no politician has been able to do. Unite people. The Saskatchewan Party had been formed by bringing the Saskatchewan Liberal Party together with Saskatchewan Conservatives. As its second leader, Wall was able to cement that. He has the ability to get people on board, and all the while not taking himself too seriously. (Remember the banjo bowl incident? Hilarious!) “Premier’s Picks” (CFL picks for the week) on the Sports radio show “The Green Zone” was the radio highlight of the week. Premier Wall could talk football with the best of them. He has always been just a regular guy.
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I have met Mr. Wall on a few occasions. The first time was in Estevan out in front of the Tower Restaurant here in Estevan. Our local MLA, Doreen Eagles, (One of the nicest people you will ever meet) introduced me and we chatted briefly. Not only did Brad listen to what I had to say, he seemed genuinely interested in the concerns I had. Not bad for the leader of the province to listen to a regular Joe such as me. But this is what truly qualifies him to lead the country. Other than that stupid speaking French thing (sorry, that’s what interpreters are for) he is imminently qualified and well-equipped to lead the nation. Good leader? Check. Great communicator? Check. Intelligent? Check. Rides a horse pretty well? Check, check and triple check. (OK, cowboy skills aren’t really required, but pretty damn cool.) Brad Wall has made important contacts in the USA and around the world. I’m guessing he has a better reputation in India than Justin Trudeau does. Probably most other countries as well.
So, it begs the question. Why wouldn’t Brad Wall run to be prime minister of Canada? First, he would have to become the leader of a federal party, which, barring a life-altering event, would be the Conservative Party of Canada. The next task would be to bring that party together under one leader. Sadly for Conservatives, that has been a dumpster fire combined with a shit show. Pretty big obstacle to overcome. And of course, Mr. Wall is a Westerner, and not from Quebec.
Then there is the personal side for Brad. He did a stellar job leading Saskatchewan for ten years, and before that helped put the Sask Party in a position to beat the ruling NDP. Now that he’s retired from politics he does advisory work for Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP, and is involved in several other businesses (Whitecap Resources, NexGen Energy, Helium Evolution). He is on the radio (John Gormley Show), writing for the National Post and Pipeline Online every once in a while, giving excellent commentary and humor. He golfs with his buddies (still waiting on my invite), posts great things on Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram, as well as having fun on those sites with Saskatchewan legends like Quick Dick McDick. He lives in Cypress Hills, and gets to be a cowboy riding the range and working cattle. Let’s not forget his son Colter Wall, the rising country music star, who is doing great, despite having a retired politician for a father.
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Brad Wall
So this brings me to what I tell my friends who want Brad Wall for prime minister. Would you give up that idyllic life to run to be the leader of Canada? In my opinion, NOT A F___ING CHANCE. He’s worked hard and has been very successful. Why in hell would he want to screw that up? If I was in his cowboy boots (size 11, Brad, if you have extras you want to sell cheap) I sure as hell wouldn’t. The left-leaning media would set up camp in southwest Saskatchewan and make the Wall family’s life hell. We’d hear about a parking ticket that Tami Wall got at Swift Current in 1992. Scandalous!
There you have it. Sorry guys, Brad Wall won’t be running for prime minister of Canada. Why would he screw up his perfect life? I sure don’t blame him. He and his family would sure agree with this. It’s just not worth the grief. (Even though he would be the best prime minister this country ever had, just saying)
Brian Crossman is a partner at Independent Well Servicing in Estevan, Saskatchewan. He ended his political career in grade 12 when he lost the election for student council president. Brian knows how to take a hint. (He is also surprised he wrote this article without using his favorite Brad Wall term “Jackwagon.”)
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