INNISFAIL -- Alberta’s oil and gas industry may continue to decline if changes don’t come soon.
That is the bleak outlook as seen by Innisfail’s Glen Carritt, who just returned home from a cross-Canada journey with the United We Roll For Canada convoy to Ottawa on Feb. 19 and 20.
“If we don’t get a change in government, then we’re going to be in even worse shape than what we are now,” said Carritt. “If those things don’t happen our oil and gas industry is going to continue to suffer.”
The convoy returned to Central Alberta on Feb. 25.
That afternoon, Mayor Jim Romane spearheaded a welcome home rally on the south (Highway 54) overpass to greet the convoy and participants as they passed by Innisfail.
"It's important to them what these guys are doing with this whole truck convoy and the message they are trying to get across," said Romane, who braved the cold with others to put up a banner on the overpass to welcome northbound convoy truckers on the QEII. "The right people don't seem to be listening. We have seen minimal or no response from the federal government on it. It is really disheartening."
A total of 159 trucks gathered in Red Deer, along with Carritt and hundreds of Albertans, for the convoy that left Red Deer the morning of Feb. 14. Dozens of others joined along the way.
“We ended up with well over 150 trucks on Parliament Hill and they made a lot of noise,” said Carritt.
The convoy was deemed a success by many.
“It went way above expectations. It was absolutely phenomenal to see the support all through the whole country,” said Carritt. “We expected to see some support in Western Canada but as we went through Manitoba and into Ontario, I expected the support to fizzle out but it was the exact opposite.”
The event, however, was not without controversy. Several reports pointed to anti-immigrant and racist remarks by Yellow Vest participants.
“The controversy is created by mainstream media,” said Carritt, noting support from veterans, farmers, ranchers and Metis people.
“Whether you wear a yellow vest or blue coveralls or a black hard hat, as long as they’re respectful and peaceful Canadians,” he said, "that’s who we had at the rally.”
The cost of the convoy was covered by funds raised through a GoFundMe page, Carritt noted, adding it began with $30,000 and increased to $145,000 on the road.
Despite that, he had to fund much of it, including hotel and fuel costs, from his own pocket.
“We’re working out all of the expenses and tryng to make it fair for everybody, so they’re reimbursed,” said Carritt.
He said United We Roll For Canada is creating a non-profit organization to educate the public about the convoy to Ottawa, its purpose and Canadians' desire to remain united.
“This is a piece of history that has never been done before,” said Carritt. “The symbol of a fire truck for people to sign was something for people to hold onto as a symbol to unite Canada.”
For more information or to donate, visit the ‘United We Roll! Convoy For Canada!’ GoFundMe page www.unitedwerollconvoyforcanada.online/GoFundMe/, the United We Roll For Canada Facebook page or its website at www.unitedwerollconvoyforcanada.online
With files from Johnnie Bachusky
