The Estevan Chamber of Commerce held their AGM yesterday and the guest speaker at the luncheon was Steve McLellan, the CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

He adressed some of the economic issues plauging the province and what the Saskatchewan Chamber is doing to help out local chambers. Of course, he touched on the challenges being faced in Estevan and in southeast Saskatchewan. 

One of those issues is a hot-button one, and that's the federal carbon tax which is set to come into effect on April 1. 

"While we don't support a carbon tax, if they're going to be take the money out of your pockets, then it has to go back in to help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," McLellan said. "We've had lots of conversations with the feds, every time we start the conversation with, 'we don't agree with the carbon tax, but if you're going to impose it, we have to tell our members to follow the law.' We want all the money that is collected to go back to our members and businesses."

"The conversation we're trying to make — while we don't support a carbon tax and lets be 100 percent clear on that — we do fully support reduced greenhouse gas emissions. We need to reduce emissions and lets figure out how to do it. How do we want to do it? Through energy efficiency," McLellan added. "If businesses reduce their energy cost, that's good for the environment and good for their bottom line."

Finding ways to make cleaner energy while reducing emissions is something the province is focusing on. 

It is tough with the oil and gas sector being a huge part of the economy in the province, but McLellan believes it has to be done. 

"We will transition as an economy, as a people, as a country from somewhat of our traditional oil and gas, the legacy industry, into renewables," he said. "Is it going to be complete? Absolutely not. In your lifetime you will always need petroleum products. But that transition will happen and I guarantee it. If you don't, think back three or five years before we had any wind or solar in Saskatchewan. We are going to move this way."

The development of technology is allowing this to become more of a reality and heping make the transition smoother for companies. 

One of those technologies is solar power, which is something McLellan thinks Estevan can capitalize on. 

"I'll remind you, you are the sunshine capital of this province, I would argue the country and perhaps the world. You have this raw natural resource, why don't we think about solar more? If it's economically feasible to do, lets explore options to make it sustainable for homes, businesses, public buildings and so on," he explained. "That transition is happening. The technology is improving and you have that natural resource, as you do the coal and the oil. So lets use all of our resources for the betterment of each and everyone of us."

"You're the Energy City as your sign says, it doesn't say say your an oil and gas town," McLellan went on to say. "I encourage you to have fact-based, not emotional, conversation about this transition. Get on that bandwagon and see what you can do. Oil and gas will always be critical, but see what else you can do."

McLellan knows the oil industry is still vastly important in western Canada and he and the Saskatchewan Chamber are doing their best to jump start the sector. 

"We have been to Ottawa twice and written letters about the pipelines and oil and gas," he said "We will be presenting in Saskatoon to the Senate Commitee to say Bill-C69 is not the right solution for us in the west or across the country." 

"It doesn't matter if it's oil or grain, both are struggling when it comes to rail. We believe pipelines if built appropriately, and we believe we have the companies that can do it well, will help take the pressure off.  So oil goes underground and grain goes on top. That's what we need to transition to and we're working to get there," he said. "The science says put oil underground and put products that need to be shipped on the rails."

There are challenges facing Saskatchewan, but according to McLellan they will always be there.

"Challenegs exist. In the business world, good times are bad. When the economy was booming people were leaving and you couldn't keep staff. Those are challenges, different challenges than what we face today. But, when you're handed a challenge, or the lemons as we say, we will make lemonade. Saskatchewan has done this since before we existed and will continue to do it long after our grandkids are gone," he said.

He ended with this encouraging statement. 

"You are going through a transition, that can be both challenging and exciting. If you choose, it's the most exciting time in the future of Estevan. Embrace it, celebrate it, and most importantly be part of the force that made it great."

READ MORE: Chamber Has "Promising" 2018, Looking Ahead to 2019