First of all, perhaps not understanding the election campaign is over, he referenced the former Prime Minister in a negative fashion. This was inappropriate on many levels, as has been noted by many political pundits. The former Prime Minister was actually very well respected at these forums, and many of the policies of his government had been admired by global leaders struggling with a worldwide recession after 2008.
Secondly, Trudeau also appeared to completely blow off the fact that Canada is still largely a resource-based economy. The implication that his government would focus on technology instead not only negates the huge amount of technology involved in our resource industry and the wide-ranging benefits these innovations have provided but also shows little respect for the value our resources have provided to this country.
Thirdly, it was interesting to note the Prime Minister sought out the head of General Motors, Mary Barra, to convince her to retain operations in Oshawa, Ontario in order to save 3,000 jobs. Now, maybe I’m missing something here, but it’s amazing to me that he would seek out an industry leader in manufacturing to save 3,000 jobs in vote rich Ontario while not only ignoring the plight of tens of thousands of people who have been laid off in the energy and resource sector but also treating our industry as though it is irrelevant.
Don’t get me wrong. Those of us involved in the oil and gas industry and living in the West are not looking for government handouts. But, it is galling to me our political leaders, from the Prime Minister to certain provincial premiers and even some mayors, continue to protest advancements of pipelines and other technologies that will enable our resources to get to market. Yes, there will always be a slight chance of environmental dangers. However, that is not unique to the oil and gas industry. There are environmental concerns and dangers to every type of transportation, development, and manufacturing product that exists.
