Searching for a pathway: A pragmatists view of the NL Oil and Gas debate.

I am not an Activist, or a Lobbyist, I am an Advocate, but it might not be for what you think. Contrary to what you may believe it is not for Oil and Gas. While I have always voiced a pro O&G stance. I will continue to support it as it has supported me and virtually everybody in Newfoundland and Labrador. My advocacy stems from a much broader view. It stems from a love I have. The love I have for Newfoundland and Labrador.

I am not naive; I understand large oil companies are out to make money first. That is capitalism, and unless your willing to break up the entire system with a hammer and slice up the remaining pieces with a sickle. It will remain a part of the mixed economic system that we have here. That same system that provides so much for all Canadians. While not perfect, it is considerably better than most.

I also understand the benefits these companies have brought to our home. Gainful employment for many, both through direct and indirect hire. Supports for local businesses. Royalty revenues to help provide the services we utilize every day. Donations to multiple charities, hospitals and education just to mention a few. We have heard a great deal about these and others as of late. I will not continue to repeat the same information, even though much of it deserves to be repeated.

Some have called to diversify the economy. Diversification is a fantastic concept, lets add on to what we have, to make us stronger. We have a backbone here for our economy it has been Oil and Gas for decades now and with the correct actions, it can remain the cornerstone for decades to come. It will help fund the transition to diversification, it can be the engine which drives us toward sustainability and beyond. We have an opportunity right now to set our province on a path to redemption and success, or to let it fail. I know my choice.

At my core, I am a pragmatist. I have looked at alternatives, as they have been presented to me. I have been willing to listen to other perspectives. Thus far they all have had one thing in common, they all seem to come up short on substance. I have seen no plans in place for immediate employment. No clear pathway on how the transition happens without revenue. There are suggestions, some could be quite promising, in areas which are not faced with the same geographical or economic challenges that we have here in Newfoundland and Labrador, but nothing specific to our unique situation. As I said I am a pragmatist, show me how it can work for NL in short, medium and long term. Show me how it wont drastically effect the people of this province, or how it will not lead to another mass exodus, like we saw here after the moratorium. Show me the path and we can talk about it.