TORONTO – The report released today by the Albertan government from its Inquiry into “anti-Alberta energy campaigns” found none of the groups targeted by the investigating commission — including Greenpeace Canada — had done anything “unlawful,” “dishonest” or that “should be in any way impugned” (paragraph 1229 of the final report). This contradicts the Government of Alberta’s claim today that there was a campaign of misinformation.
In July 2019 Alberta Premier appointed Steve Allan to lead a so-called Public Inquiry into Anti-Alberta Energy Campaigns. Since then, the deadline for the Commission’s report was extended four times and the budget expanded from $2.5 million to $3.5 million. Finally in June, a number of environmental organisations were given less than one month to respond to sections of the draft report. The Greenpeace response highlights the Commission’s misrepresentation of climate science and the severity of the climate crisis, inclusion of unsupported and inflammatory allegations, and failure to provide procedural fairness. Allan had just two weeks to read and incorporate feedback before the report submission deadline of July 31.
Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist for Greenpeace Canada, said:
“At Greenpeace Canada, we are proud of our work tackling the climate and biodiversity crises that are destroying our communities and planet. Even when it makes powerful interests uncomfortable, we will press on alongside Indigenous leaders and front-line communities, and with the backing of our supporters — no matter what intimidation tactics are thrown our way.”
Ali Naraghi, legal counsel for Greenpeace Canada, said:
“The right to freedom of expression is a cornerstone of our constitutional system in Canada. The Inquiry’s findings that Greenpeace Canada has engaged in “Anti-Alberta” activities does not follow legal requirements, ignores scientific evidence, and could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and on the meaningful process of debate in a so-called democratic and free society.”
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For more information, contact:
Brandon Wei, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Canada
[email protected], +1 (778) 772-6138