In Northeast British Columbia, resource extraction is more than an industry—it’s a way of life interwoven with community values, resilience, and hard work. Amid pipelines and drilling rigs that cross through the heart of their towns, residents like Tim and Charlie Hartnell exemplify how oil, gas, and agriculture can coexist while contributing to the local and provincial economy.
Tim, a lifelong Dawson Creek resident, and his wife Charlie, have deep roots in Northeast BC. Their story is one of grit and practicality. Having raised their two boys on their farm, they now enjoy the peace and quiet with their dog and cat. They are fortunate that their boys have remained in the north and spend time on the family farm often. When asked about their recreation, Charlie laughed, “Well there is always something that needs to be fixed, does that count as recreation?” Tim says he does like to hunt and fish when he is able to get away.
They run a working 3,000-acre farm and a construction business, both of which subtly depend on the resource extraction industry without letting it define their entire identity. On their farm, a few gas wells dot the landscape, providing a modest but crucial lease fee that helps keep operations running. Though the payments are minimal—around $7,000 to $8,000 a year—they offer essential supplemental income in an area where farmland now averages about $2,400 an acre. This extra revenue is vital in a region where the challenges of getting products to market make off-farm income necessary to maintain a sustainable livelihood.
Their construction business, long a family affair, is another cornerstone of local industry. With years of experience in civil work—from building parking lots to supporting infrastructure projects—the business has adapted to serve the needs of the oil and gas sector. “It’s just part of the job,” Tim explains, reflecting the reality that resource extraction supports a broad range of local industries. Their son, now taking over much of the business, symbolizes the passing of a legacy built on resilience and adaptation in a challenging economic landscape.
For Tim and Charlie, the presence of pipelines and extraction sites is a fact of life rather than a call to protest. “We live with it every day, and we know it’s fueling our way of life,” says Tim. Their perspective is grounded in decades of local experience, where oil, gas, and even logging have provided the necessary winter work to keep farming families afloat. The benefits of resource extraction extend beyond individual farms; companies have contributed to building community amenities such as fire halls and community centers that strengthen the social fabric of small rural communities.
Yet, challenges remain. cumbersome permitting processes—often taking up to two years for a simple land use permit on agricultural land—can stifle progress. Getting goods to market has also been a challenge as the north lost their railway to Alberta. Now grain and other goods are shipped to Prince George or further south for sale and processing or those goods go by truck. Dozens of trucks travel east to west every day because rail is not an option. “Highway infrastructure is also not meeting industry needs. Farm and oilfield equipment is much larger than it was in the horse and buggy days and do not fit on our narrow, poorly maintained roads,” Tim said. “That is hard on the roads but also dangerous for the public.” The local sentiment is clear: government decisions made far from the realities of Northeast BC often do not align with the needs of its residents.
Even so, Tim and Charlie maintain a pragmatic outlook, understanding that a balanced approach is essential. They emphasize that the environment is safeguarded through careful management practices that respect indigenous rights and ecological sustainability.
In the midst of national debates over pipelines, the story of Tim and Charlie offers a grounded perspective. Their everyday contributions—through farming, construction, and community resilience—underline the importance of resource extraction in sustaining a vibrant local economy while protecting the environment. In Northeast BC, resilience is not just about enduring hardships; it’s about proudly building a future rooted in tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to the land.
About the author:
Julie Rogers coordinated and conducted interviews across Northeast BC, distilling perspectives into clear, compelling stories that ground our report in lived experience. Julie Rogers, APR, is an award-winning communications strategist, speaker, and trainer, with 20 years’ experience in municipal government communications. Having lived and worked in communities across Northeast BC, she understands the people and projects that fuel Canada’s resource economy. As principal of Julie Rogers Consulting, she helps organizations craft plain-language communications strategies, design inclusive engagement plans and turn complex issues into stories that build trust.
This profile is part of the series commissioned for Resource Works’ Shaping the Peace report, a socioeconomic study of Northeast British Columbia.
