Brian Crossman is a partner in Estevan-based Independent Well Servicing.
Brian Crossman. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
When I write these columns, articles, opinion pieces or whatever the hell you call them, I know full well the people reading them probably agree with what I have to say. Hey, I work in the energy industry and this publication is Pipeline Online, right? So yeah, the people reading this are in and around the industry. I have often wondered if anyone outside my circle of friends and the industry read what I write, or anything else related to the energy business. But I know full well I am probably preaching to the choir.
I had a very interesting experience this past week. One of my cousins from Ontario (now living on Vancouver Island, nice!) reached out and asked for some help with a family matter. In the email he noted that he does enjoy reading my articles, and “even when I don’t agree with your thoughts; it helps me see another point of view.” This surprised me to the point of being blown away. I had no idea that people east of the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border (or the Island and Lower Mainland) would read such an article or publication outside their normal media preferences.
Now, my cousin is a very well educated person, and has worked in environmental science. He is articulate, intelligent, thoughtful and insightful. On the rare occasions we are in the same room, we have great conversations and get along as well as two people ever could. I am very sure however, we would disagree on almost all of our politics. (Maybe not, who knows?) But for the sake of argument, let’s assume because my cousin is from Ontario, (and now British Columbia) we would disagree politically. He’d vote Liberal (or worse, NDP!) (Or even worse than that, the Green Party!!)
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We all say how we used to get along better politically, but did we ever? I think modern media has a lot to do with this. We know what’s happening almost as it happens. All parties involved take advantage of this to push their agenda on the voting public (as well as school-age children). But a large portion of the country does tend to look down on us because (they believe) we are causing the demise of the planet and humankind. The media in Canada is largely funded by the current government, and like it or not, for right or wrong, will side with the Liberal (see NDP) agenda. I’m sure many people in Ontario and other parts of the country will call BS on this, but the facts are out there. They don’t even try to hide it.
Now, I’m not going to repeat my well-documented opinions on climate change and the effects allegedly caused by the Canadian energy industry. I will just say that the situation isn’t as dire as certain parties would have us believe, and oil and gas is THE best way to fund a transition to the energy of the future.
But, how do we inform the government and the citizens who elected them to consider the options that we put forth? Perhaps a peaceful protest in Ottawa is in order. Uh, nope, Mr.Trudeau, with help from the RCMP and the Ottawa city police (dressed in full tactical gear, with horses and SWAT team armament) will ensure any sort of protest will not be happening again.
We could write petitions to all the MPs, the PMO office, the Governor General, the local dogcatcher your local paper, and of course, PIPELINE ONLINE. But will that affect any change? History has taught us that this has little or no effect. It’s sad, but true. So what is going to be our strategy to win the hearts and minds of our Canadian family?
Canada, while geographically large, is truly a very small country. By this I mean on a global scale, there isn’t really that many of us. It’s somewhere north of 38 million by the last census. Hell, the UK has over 67 million, and last time I looked at a map, Canada is just a shade bigger in land mass.
So what this means, at least by my roughneck logic, there is probably less than six degrees of separation between everybody in the country. Hey if it works for Kevin Bacon (mmmm bacon, oops, sorry) it should work for Canadians. (See “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” if ya’ll need clarification.) What I’m getting at is we all have family, friends and connections people we’ve met. Heck, even that person calling for a donation or survey. Are you picking up what I’m throwing down?
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Contact your family and friends. You can call, text, email, Facebook, Instagram, tweet and DM them. Politely explain to them how important this is to the future of our country. Do not berate them, belittle them, swear at them or call them bad names. Talk to them. Describe how clean, ethical, important and necessary Canada’s energy industry is to Canada’s security and to clean energy transition. Tell them about the Deep Earth Energy Production geothermal project. Don’t forget to mention Prairie Lithium and the Saskatchewan Hydrogen Hub. Saskatchewan is leading the way for transition. The Saskatchewan Research Council and the Petroleum Technology Research Centre are providing engineering and geological assistance. But remember to listen to what they have to say as well. Extend them the courtesy of considering their point of view as well. You might be surprised on what you do agree on. Have a civil, polite conversation. Remember those?
Explain your views on these and any other matters regarding the unity of Canada. Do not be divisive. Be thoughtful, insightful and brave. Stand by your convictions. And above all, be honest. Find common ground. You will absolutely not agree on everything, possibly nothing at all. But maybe, just maybe your cousin will be able to “not always agree with your thoughts, but help to see another point of view.” Thanks Cuz, that’s always been my intention.
Brian Crossman is a partner at Independent Well Servicing in Estevan and truly does believe that we can get to the future in the right way. We just have to communicate.
- 0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan
- 0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds
- 0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow
- 0064 Estevan OTS0064 Estevan OTS
- 0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher
- 0062 TED_EPAC_Technology_300062 TED_EPAC_Technology_30
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building
- 0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator
- 0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text
- 0052 Predator Inspections0052 Predator Inspections
- 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
- 0015 Latus Viro0015 Latus Viro
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001