Now, there are some reports the economy is going to recover a bit and some even more optimistic folks who think by mid-year there may be some increase and stability to oil prices.
| Date Published | December 24, 2015 |
| Company | Leadstone Group Inc. |
| Article Author | Chris Grabill |
| Article Type | December 2015 Issue |
| Category | Articles, Oil & Gas |
| Tags | Economic Downturns, Economic Outlook, Government |
| HUB SEARCH | Leadstone |
Now, there are some reports the economy is going to recover a bit and some even more optimistic folks who think by mid-year there may be some increase and stability to oil prices.
This has not been a great year in Alberta. Unfortunately, I think you may want to give your loved ones an extra Christmas hug this year if only to enjoy some holiday spirit before we lumber into 2016, because it ain’t looking good.
Now, there are some reports the economy is going to recover a bit and some even more optimistic folks who think by mid-year there may be some increase and stability to oil prices. However, for every one of those folks, there are two predicting a sustained depression in prices and an NDP bureaucrat eagerly after your jugular to suck out whatever is left.
Canada sent the largest (by far) per capita contingent to the recent Paris climate talks. It was a symbolic gesture saying two things: rustily, “Gosh, we’re stupid,” and secondly, “Canada is going to drink the cool-aid and self-flagellate ourselves into submission for some props on the climate scene.” So, even if you hedge with the rosier predictions above, the results of our two elections last year will gobble up any headway
Rachel Notley is a complete disaster, and she knows it. They are trying to maximize their impact by jamming through a ham-step policy in a Hail Mary attempt their socialism will win over Albertans in 4 years (it won’t). Or they are hoping, at the very least, when they get punted next election, the leadership and brain trust should be able to land in other NDP realms across the country and get cushy jobs with the simple task of regaling fellow dippers about how they ‘stuck it to Alberta’. The accidental MLA’s will return to their restaurant jobs, yoga studios, and discovering the wonders of puberty. Regardless though, 2016 will be ‘Maximum Nutley’ and crazy intrusive Bills will be stuffed through, a punishing royalty review will be approved, she will continue to work with ‘big oil’ to create dissension in the industry, and everyone will be taxed on the air you breathe out.
Federally, Baby Trudeau is already frighteningly taking Canada in a newish direction. I say ‘new-wish’, because when I saw his cabinet, I couldn’t believe my eyes. John McCallum croaking along about Syrian Refugees, Ralph Goodale checking his hair, and Stephane Dion chirping Frenglish made me feel I had a stroke and was having a Chretien-induced nightmare I was back in the 90’s. This cabinet, paired with the grotesque Gerald Butts as chief advisor and the complete vacuousness of JT himself, is going to result in the most entitled, corrupt, environmentally extreme, and silly government in history. And, there will be a big dose of anti-Alberta in there. Don’t you worry! While Notley might give us some reprieve and Brad Wall might attract some attention, we are still the main target for Liberal shell games and punitive actions, and it’ll be coming in the new year.
Beyond these governing factors, we are faced with OPEC crumbling and fumbling, Murray Edwards and other majors jobbing others in the patch, pipeline uncertainty, a scary supply glut, a scarier still natural gas situation, and the threat of terrorism growing. The ironic thing is the one thing you need to worry the least about is man-made global warming. Yet, it eats up most of the headlines!
Now, I paint a gloomy picture, but I am focused on 2016 for this article. The year 2017 could bring better price certainty, pipeline approval should be chugging along (maybe), and the worst of what the NDP is going to do should be done and adjustments can be made. But, for all intents and purposes, 2016 will be pretty messy and messier still depending on external factors. We will and must endure, and at least, it’s gonna be a helluva fight. Plus, there is always hope 2016 might bring the glorious entertainment of a Trump presidency, so there’s that.
Merry Christmas to all and to my NDP friends, have an adequate, non-denominational Winter gathering.
Sincerely
Chris Grabill
Chris Grabill
Originally published in the