Justin is still working as an oil well cementer in Lloydminster, but his income is down by 50 per cent and the family is dealing with a painful readjustment of their future.
“For the first time in three years, I actually didn’t pay a bill,” said Leanne. “We didn’t have the money to pay it, so I pay a little on this one and all of that one, and the next month, I’ll pay the rest of that one and just try to keep up.”
Justin and Leanne Mills are struggling to pay their bills as work dries up in Alberta’s oilpatch‘We don’t have a big truck, or a big house, or fancy things and we’re still having trouble getting by.’– Justin Mills, oilwell cementer
Their struggles are one side of the conflict gripping Canadians right now as tension grows between the importance of the environment and the economy. A new CBC EKOS Research poll suggests the country is conflicted between the two priorities, especially when discussing the future of the oil and gas industry.
Leanne has been trying to get pregnant for four years and after a string of miscarriages, she began fertility treatments that cost $600 a month. But, with their drop in income, they can no longer afford the treatments.
“I turned 40 last November and when we spoke to our doctor last, I said that we might not be able to do this for a while,” Leanne said.
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