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Braving the cold in the name of Canadian oil and gas

Even cold Alberta winds wouldn’t silence them. Freezing temperatures, blowing snow, and a bitter breeze didn’t stop dozens of Canadian oil and gas supporters from gathering at the Bonnyville Rodeo Grounds in order to make their voices heard.
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Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs expressed how pleased she was to see so many people brave the cold for Saturday’s rally.

Even cold Alberta winds wouldn’t silence them.

Freezing temperatures, blowing snow, and a bitter breeze didn’t stop dozens of Canadian oil and gas supporters from gathering at the Bonnyville Rodeo Grounds in order to make their voices heard.

The first Supporting Canadian Pipelines Lakeland Rally was held on Saturday, Jan. 19, and brought residents from across the region together to share their message: build pipelines now. 

 Austin Saylor shows his support for Canadian oil and gas.Austin Saylor shows his support for Canadian oil and gas.

Organizer Angela Cook said she wanted to “create an event for the silent majority of people out there so they have a platform to come out, unite, and stand together.”

Signs bearing “I love Canadian oil and gas” were held high as speakers such as Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs, Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr, Town of Bonnyvile Mayor Gene Sobolewski, City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland, and MD Reeve Greg Sawchuk, among others, shared their concern and passion for the industry.

“Right across Alberta, everyone is feeling it. We’re not a big city centre, so we need to come together and unite all of the people in the area,” expressed Cook.

Each of the speakers had a similar message when it came to the issue, and were impressed with the number of supporters who braved the weather to be there.

“It really is important that you’re here, because you aren’t just fighting for your own jobs and your neighbours and your families, you really are fighting for all of Alberta and Canada,” Stubbs stated. “It’s so inspiring that you’re here... It makes me a little emotional to come out to these (events) and see people gathered here because I know one thing for sure, most of you have never protested or rallied for anything in your lives... You’ve been working, running businesses, providing for your families, and contributing to your community.”

Stubbs stressed the importance of standing together in Canada’s time of need.

“It’s absolutely crucial that you’re here to fight for pipelines and oil and gas, and really, to fight for Canada’s future.”

She added, the fact that the Lakeland is “ground zero for the escalating crisis in Canada’s energy sector,” means she is advocating even harder in Ottawa for her constituents and all Canadians.

 Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr shares his position on the issue. Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr shares his position on the issue.

“Everyday, I’m proud to go to bat for each and every one of you and your families who have been especially hard-hit during the past couple of years.” 

Although he couldn’t be there in person, Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel expressed his thoughts through a letter.

He explained how he believes Albertans per capita disproportionately contribute to the national economy, “and yet, we still aren’t being heard or assisted by the federal government.”

While Fort McMurray-Two Hills MLA Dave Hanson shared his experience working in the oil patch, he also reminded the crowd that as they stand there in the cold, there are thousands of people working  in the same conditions.

Hanson added, “We should be very proud of our industry, especially northern Alberta. What these organized, safe, quiet, demonstrations serve to do, and what you guys have served to do, is get the attention of the federal government, Trudeau, but more importantly, Canadians just like you from coast to coast.”

Cyr agreed.

“Fighting for pipelines is exactly what we should be fighting for... I think something Ottawa needs to understand, is that oil and gas is not just a job for many of us. It’s a career, a lifestyle.”

He continued, “This is about all parts of government standing together, sending a message to Ottawa that this isn’t just an Alberta problem, this is a Canada-wide problem.”

According Sawchuk, the MD of Bonnyville is home to over 18,000 oil wells, noting “that’s more than we have people.”

Sawchuk, who has toured numerous facilities within the municipality, explained how in many cases, the industry isn’t being well represented across Canada in terms of how they function within the environment.

 MD Reeve Greg Sawchuk explains how the industry works with the environment, not against it. MD Reeve Greg Sawchuk explains how the industry works with the environment, not against it.

“Oil works seamlessly with the environment,” emphasized Sawchuck. “When you fly over the area, there’s a very small footprint that oil takes up. We haven’t gotten that story out. As far as the trees and wildlife goes, it all grows around the oilfield and it all flourishes, so you can’t tell me it has a huge impact.”

Copeland and Sobowlewski shared a similar message that “it’s time to build a pipeline.”

Sobolewski was concerned that Bill C-69 will “drown out all of our voice,” through specific wording he feels gives people in other provinces and countries a bigger voice than those living and working in the industry.

“We’re the ones that are important, the ones that are putting our heart and soul into Alberta and in the Bonnyville region,” Sobolewski said. “We’re working in this region and this industry, and have the third largest reservoir of oil in the world and we can’t even get it to market because other people with smaller voices than we do, are being heard in Ottawa.”

“We’re going to Ottawa and are getting our voices heard. We’re going to undrertake a campaign... we need something to happen, but we need your help,” he added.

Standing among other supporters was Kim Nahirniak, an MD resident who attended the event to help highlight that Bonnyville and the surrounding area is pro-pipeline.

“I just wanted to be a part of the voice,” she noted.

With a husband and other family working in the oil industry, Nahirniak described its success as “our future,” adding it’s really “most of Bonnyville’s future” too.

“It just makes sense to support it, and hopefully it makes a difference.”

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