Confidential federal tar sands strategy targets aboriginal and green
groups
25 January 2012 (Toronto) – As controversy
increases over the Harper government’s attacks on environmental groups,
Greenpeace Canada today released internal
government documents obtained
under Access to Information legislation showing that the Harper government has
explicitly identified environmental and aboriginal groups as “adversaries” in
its strategy to increase tar sands
exports.
“This government established a list of enemies nine months ago and
has since launched a public attack on environmental and aboriginal groups that
are raising concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the tar
sands,” said Keith Stewart, coordinator of Greenpeace Canada’s Climate and
Energy campaign.
“Rather than dealing the devastating impacts of the tar sands,
the Harper government is working with the oil industry to silence their
critics.”
The March 2011 “Pan-European Oil Sands Advocacy Strategy” prepared by
the federal government to undermine support in the EU for cleaner fuels
legislation lists “National and European level Politicians (especially from the
ruling and influential parties)” as a primary
target.
The strategy document, obtained by the Climate Action Network under
Access to Information legislation, identifies the government’s “adversaries” as
Canadian NGOs and environmental organizations, Aboriginal groups, competing
industries and media in Europe (although the type of media seen as an adversary
is redacted).
The list of “allies” includes European industry associations and
companies (with Shell and BP singled out elsewhere as “like-minded allies”), as
well as the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, federal government
departments, Alberta, business associations and unidentified NGOs. Disturbingly,
the list of allies also includes the independent federal regulatory tribunal
National Energy Board.
“Canadians should be concerned when a supposedly arms-length agency
that is supposed to regulate the oil industry, including conducting hearings on
the Enbridge’s proposed new tar sands pipeline across British Columbia, is
listed as an ‘ally’ in a political strategy to lower environmental standards in
other nations,” said Stewart.
Greenpeace also released a copy of
minutes from March 2010,
obtained under Access to Information legislation, between high-ranking federal
officials, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and former PMO
official Bruce Carson. These minutes show that it was the oil industry that
initially approached the government about crafting a joint strategy for “upping
their game” and to “turn up the volume” in promoting the tar
sands.
“The latest attacks on environmental groups are part of an
orchestrated campaign by the Harper government and the oil industry targeting
anyone who dares to question the wisdom of tripling tar sands production,” said
Stewart.
“Rather than ‘turning up the volume’ in this pro-industry public
relations campaign, the Harper government needs to start listening to the
legitimate concerns of Canadians on the costs of dirty
energy.”
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