We are a province of bull riders. We are cowboys. For onlookers, bull riding seems like a sport based around the idea of holding on for dear life, but to score well, you are judged on more than just holding on. Both the rider and the bull are scored. The bull is judged on degree of difficulty. The rider is judged on control and his or her ability to counter the bull’s moves. Think about that for a minute. The cowboy is not just holding on. There is method, and there is control. Even though it seems impossible, the cowboy is performing and attempting control. He has trained for this and was fully aware when he got on the bull it was going to try to buck him off. I would like to assuage the fears of the thousands of newcomers to Alberta. We are seasoned cowboys, and even the best of us get bucked off from time to time. This new bull may be the meanest and ugliest we have seen in a while, but we will keep jumping on no matter what anyone else thinks. We don’t back down from a challenge.

As a province, it is possible we suffer greater declines than most; although, my guess is the Maritimes would vehemently argue that point. Yes, we are often dependant on natural resources. The media loves to point that out. Human nature is to envy, and often those who covet will also be the first to say, “I told you so.” Our reputation will continue to suffer the plagues besieged on us by pseudo-environmentalists, but rather than hiding from the issues, we continue to openly engage in the conversation. We are the boy scouts of the energy producing world. We believe in freedom of speech and expression, and that is why we will continue to be battered and abused by those with agendas and, sometimes, even by our own politicians. Despite that, we will still continue to support your right to engage and voice your opinion.

We admit, “We are not perfect.” Yet, another fatal mistake in the media driven social license battle. We admit we want to continue to grow while working to reduce our impact. We admit we must continue to focus on diversification using the strength of today to provide for the future of our province. We speak the truth and admit our foibles, and the world reacts to that. Or, does it? I think if you look at it, we may just be a small fish, which is why we make an easy target.

I do not know what the future really holds. There are many things about this downturn that are different, and if I knew the answers, I could write my own ticket. What I do know is everything turns around, and those companies that had cutbacks did not do so lightly. I can pretty much guarantee you, in the next year or two, each and every one of them will be right back up on the bull again

In my experience, if you are willing to work hard, you couldn’t live in a better place. Weather through the storm. Be resilient. Bull riding is not for the faint of heart.