Brad Wall no wallflower
July 7, 2009
Intended for publication the week of June 7, 2009.
Attending two major oil conferences in Saskatchewan this spring, you’re sure to hear from the politicians.
Their message has been consistent: a big “Thank you” to the Saskatchewan oil patch.
Thank you for growing the economy, providing jobs, paying for social services and infrastructure.
Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd brought that message to the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Regina in late April, noting that he had specific instructions from the premier to show gratitude to the oilpatch.
The big guy himself delivered the same message to the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show in Weyburn on June 3, during the oilman of the year awards luncheon.
He made the point that he’s the first premier to attend the show since 1999, and before that, it was 1991, when Grant Devine was still premiere.
Now, premiers are busy people who rarely have complete control of their schedules. If the prime minister calls a first minister meeting, you have to attend. When the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities has their annual convention, you better be there. The same goes for the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association. But missing a decade worth of shows? That’s the entire duration of the Calvert Administration. It’s also only once for Roy Romanow.
Wall was present at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show last fall, and said he plans on attending these shows as much as possible.
People notice these things, which is precisely why Wall brought it up. It’s sure the industry took notice the heavy presence of both the top-end politicians and ministry officials at these events.
It’s odd, because former Premier Lorne Calvert brought in royalty regimes that have done Saskatchewan very well, in comparison to what the Alberta government has done in recent years. (i.e., loaded both barrels and shot off both feet.) Indeed, Wall credited the previous administration for that, if not actually naming Calvert by name. The province plans on leaving things alone in large part, saying, ““We will not be increasing royalties.”
Wall spoke of investing in infrastructure from where the money had come from.
“You’re generating a lot of royalties. You deserve good roads to do that work,” Wall said
That statement got applause. Anyone who has driven around Alida, for instance, realizes that heavy truck traffic associated with the oilpatch comes with a price in infrastructure. It’s even more noticeable in the heavy oil country around Lloydminster. While there have been efforts in recent years to assist rural municipalities in dealing with the issue, you’d have to look long and hard to find an RM that is satisfied with the level of assistance.
With the collapse in energy prices over the past year, there’s not going to be a lot of extra money to throw into these things. However, with the recovery of oil prices since the winter, there’s hope. It wasn’t long ago current prices were considered astronomical. If they stay at this level or improve, perhaps the province will be able to put more into infrastructure.
“We have to invest more in infrastructure.” Wall added.
There’s an old saying in politics – dance with the one who brought you. In this case, Wall strode onto the dance floor, and made clear he’s here to dance. It’s probably a good thing the premier is not a wallflower with the oil and gas industry. They have this habit of paying the bills.
Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News (www.pipelinenews.ca). He can be reached at www.zinchuk.ca.
